Module 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 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 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 .As an island in the southern part of the country, Mindanao is the
second largest with 94,630 sq. km. 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 POPULATION AREA REGIONAL Component Provinces and

(2010) CENTER Cities
BARMM 3,781,387 33,511.42 km2 Cotabato City 1 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 City 2
3. Lamitan City
63 BARANGAYS FROM THE
MUNICIPALITIES OF:
1. Aleosan 2. Carmen 3.
Kabacan 4. Midsayap 5.
Pigkawayan 6. Pikit

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

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.
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Butuan 3 3.
4.
Dinagat Islands*
5.
Surigao del Norte
6.
Surigao del Sur
Davao Region 4,468,563 20,357.42 km 2 Davao City Davao de Oro 1.
(Region XI) (4.8%) (7,860.04 sq. mi) (Compostela Valley)
2. Davao City
3. Davao del Norte
4. Davao del Sur
5. Davao Oriental
6. Davao Occidental
Northern 4,297,323 20,496.02 km2 Cagayan de 1. Bukidnon
Mindanao (4.7%) (7,913.56 sq. mi) Oro City 2. Cagayan de Oro
(Region X) 3. Camiguin*
4. Iligan City
5. Lanao del Norte
6. Misamis Occidental
7. Misamis Oriental
SOCCSKSARGEN 4,109,571 22,513.30 km2 Koronadal City 1. Cotabato
(Region XII) (4.5%) (8,692.43 sq. mi) 2. Cotabato City
3. General Santos
4. Sarangani
5. South Cotabato
6. Sultan Kudarat
Zamboanga 3,407,353 17,056.73 km 2 Zamboanga 1. Isabela City 4
Peninsula (3.7%) (6,585.64 sq. mi) City 2. Zamboanga City
(Region IX) 3. Zamboanga del Norte
4. Zamboanga del Sur
5. Zamboanga Sibugay
(Source: National Statistical Coordination Board, Philippine Statistics Authority)
*The provinces of Basilan, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi are separate
islands and/or island groups themselves, but are included under the island group of Mindanao.
Activity 1. Map-making

INSTRUCTION: Draw the political, economic, and cultural map of Mindanao (Note: The out-put
format must be in a form of jpeg/jpg/ or picture file and must be sent in the G-classroom)
(Note: The rubrics for this activity will be posted in your Google Classroom)

3
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.