Mindanao State University

College of Social Sciences and Humanities

Marawi City 9700, Philippines

LESSON 1.2 Geographical Setting

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Illustrate the geographical setting of Mindanao
2. Know the political, socio -economic and cultural map of Mindanao

NOTE: This is to help students to understand the course as per mandated by Mindanao State University. This is partial and
subject for improvement. The sources that used are mainly coming from authentic books in history. This is just for classroom
purpose only.

FACTS ABOUT MINDANAO

 As of the 2010 census, the island's population itself is 20,281,545 people, while the Mindanao
island group had an estimated population of 25,537,691 (2018) inhabitants.
 Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines at 104,630 square kilometers, and is the
eighth most populous island in the world. The island of Mindanao is larger than 125 countries
worldwide, including the Netherlands, South Korea, Austria, Portugal, Czech
Republic, Hungary, and Ireland.
 The island is covered by 6 administrative regions, 22 provinces, and 30 cities (27 provinces and 33
cities if associated islands are included).
 More than 70% of the population of Mindanao adhere to Christianity. Roman Catholicism is the
largest single religious affiliation at 60.9 percent of the total household population. Islam
comprises 20.44%, while a figure as high as 40% has been cited. Muslims were formerly the
majority until the influx of Christian Filipino settlers in the 20th century.

MINDANAO

The region is partitioned by Sulu Sea. It is surrounded by body of water, from the north (Visayas)
by the Mindanao strait or Visayan Sea, Pacific Ocean on the east, Sulu Sea on the West, and Celebes Sea
on the South . The island is mountainous with Mt. Apo in Davao as the highest mountain in the country.
The island consists of six administrative regions and divided into *26 provinces.

 SIX (6) ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS

1. Zamboanga Peninsula (Reg. 9)- composes of the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga
del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay with two cities, Zamboanga City and Isabela City. Pagadian is the
administrative capital of the region. Zamboanga City is also known as the little Spanish city, Zamboanga
Hermosa and Asias Latin City. The term Zamboanga is derived from a Badjao word ‘Samboangan’ which
means “port”. On the other hand, it is also derived from a Subanen word Jambangan which means land of
“flowers”.
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2. Northern Mindanao (Reg. 10)- composes of the provinces of the Bukidnon, Camiguin, Lanao Del
Norte, Misamiz Oriental, Misamis Occidental, plus the Cagayan de Oro City as the administrative capital.

3. Davao region (Reg. 11) formerly Southern Mindanao, divided into the provinces of Davao Oriental,
Davao Del Sur, and Compostella Valley (now Davao de Oro). Davao city is the administrative capital.
The word Davao is derived from the word Daba-Daba which means fire.

4. SOCCSARGEN (Reg.12)- formerly Central Mindanao, consist the provinces of Cotabato,

Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cotabato City. Koronadal City is the administrative
capital.

5. Caraga Region (Reg. 13)- the province of Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, Surigao Del Norte
And Surigao Del Sur. Butuan City is the administrative capital the word Caraga is derive from Spanish
word Caragas which means land of the brave warrior.

6. BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao)- is a special region which cover
the territory predominantly populated by Muslims. The provinces are Lanao Del Sur, Maguidanao, Sulu,
Tawi-Tawi and Basilan excluding her City (Isabela De Basilan). Cotabato City is the administrative
capital. The province has its own Parliamentary government.

REGION POPULATIO AREA REGIONAL Component Provinces and

N (2010) CENTER Cities
BARMM 3,781,387 33,511.42 km2 Cotabato City1 ARMM (PROVINCES)
(Bangsamoro (as of August 1, (12,938.83 sq. 1. Lanao del Sur
Region in 2015) mi) 2. Tawi-Tawi
Muslim 3. Sulu
Mindanao)
4. Basilan
5. Maguindanao
CITIES
1. Marawi City
2. Cotabato City2
3. Lamitan City
39 BARANGAYS FROM THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF:
1. Aleosan 2. Carmen 3. Kabacan
4. Midsayap 5.
Pigkawayan 6. Pikit

1 Cotabato City, although administratively under SOCCSKSARGEN, is considered the regional center of ARMM. It
is also an independent component city, not under the jurisdiction of any provincial government.
2 Cotabato City, although administratively under SOCCSKSARGEN, is considered the regional center of the former
ARMM. It is also an independent component city, not under the jurisdiction of any provincial government. And voted “YES”
to the recently Bangsamoro Organic Law, plebiscite.
 CARAGA 2,429,224 21,478.35 km2 1. Agusan del Norte
(Region XIII) (2.6%) (8,292.84 sq. mi) Butuan City 2. Agusan del Sur
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Cities of Butuan, Davao, Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos and Zamboanga are highly urbanized city,
independent from any province.
4
A component city, part of the province of Basilan, but whose regional services are provided by the offices of Region IX.