Their uniqueness is that they all have a regular conical shape with a large slope angle and, despite the fact that they consist of limestone, there are no karst caves inside them. The hills got their name from the grass, which, after the dry season, burns out in the sun, becomes brown and stands out strongly against the background of the bright greenery of the surrounding forests.
The largest hills are about 100 m high, and the smallest are 30 m.
Scientists disagree about the origins of the Chocolate Hills. Some of them argue that the hills are the remnants of volcanic activity, covered with lime crust.
Others believe that the hills were formed by the rise of coral deposits under the influence of water and weathering of the soil. Another version, the hills are located on the site of an ancient ocean, the bottom of which, under the influence of erosion after the retreat of water, turned into conical formations.
The inhabitants of the island have their own ideas about the origin of the chocolate hills: one of the legends says that the hills appeared after the battle of two giants, who for many days threw stones and sand at each other. As a result, the giants reconciled and left the island, but the mountains of stones and sand remained.
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There is also a more romantic legend about the young giant Arogo, who fell in love with a mere mortal girl named Aloya, who did not want to marry him. After her death, Arogo was killed for a long time and cried, and the tears rolling from his eyes turned into hills.
The Chocolate Hills are a tourist attraction in Bohol. They are depicted on the flag and coat of arms of the province, symbolizing the abundance of natural attractions in it.
Also, the hills are on the list of the most important tourist destinations in the Philippines; they are declared the third most important geological monument in the country and are proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Although the landscape is not very diverse, it is still interesting to shoot hills with the camera - they look different at different times of the year and day. As soon as a cloud appears, huge shadows immediately fall on the hill. Periodically, a haze of fog appears, giving the hills a mystery. This area acquires a very beautiful view at sunset and sunrise.