About Donsol
Geography

Donsol is a coastal town with an area of 15,000 sq.km. more or less, located at the northwestern part of th eprovince of Sorsogon, which occupies the southern terminus of the Bicol Peninsula. It is bounded by the municipalities of Jovellar and Pio Duran, Albay on the north and northwesternpart, by Burias Pass on the southern part and on the eastern part by the municipality of Pilar, Sorsogon. It is sixty-six (66) kms. Away from the Provincial capital city of Sorsogon and fifty-one (51) kms. away from the city of Legazpi in the province of Albay. The municipality of Donsol specifically is characterized by moderately rugged to undulating terrain with rounded to sub-rounded ridges and spurs. Generally, Donsol's terrain is rugged due to the ranges of mountains and hills. A 4th class municipality consist of 51 barangays.

Town History

Donsol was just a barrio in Quipia (now Jovellar, Albay) until 1668 when it became an independent parish. Donsol got its name from "donsolanon", an old Bicol word, meaning anvil. In the old days, according to old folks, a skilled black-smith had his "donsolanon" in Dancalan which was well-known for its quality products, so much so that people who needed metalware were invariably referred to this place. Donsol became an independent municipality under Albay in 1800. Its first gobernadorcillo was Don Mariano Adrian. The present site of Donsol used to be known as "Barra". The town was transferred to this site on July 11, 1831. The old town site is now known as Banuang Gurang.