Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippines, after Luzon, and seventh-most populous island in the world. Located in the southern region of the archipelago, the island is part of an island group of the same name that also includes its adjacent islands, notably the Sulu Archipelago. According to the 2020 census, Mindanao had a population of 26,252,442, while the entire island group had an estimated population of 27,021,036.
The Philippines is an archipelago that comprises 7,641 islands, and with a total land area of 300,000 square kilometers (115,831 sq mi), it is the world's fifth largest island country. The eleven largest islands contain 95% of the total land area. The largest of these islands is Luzon at about 105,000 square kilometers (40,541 sq mi). The next largest island is Mindanao at about 95,000 square kilometers (36,680 sq mi). The archipelago is around 800 kilometers (500 mi) from the Asian mainland and is located between Taiwan and Borneo.
Northern Mindanao is an administrative region in the Philippines, designated as Region X. It comprises five provinces: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte, and two cities classified as highly urbanized, all occupying the north-central part of Mindanao island, and the island-province of Camiguin. The regional center and largest city is Cagayan de Oro. Lanao del Norte was transferred to Northern Mindanao from Region XII by virtue of Executive Order No. 36 in September 2001.
Mount Apo is the highest mountain peak in the Philippines, with an elevation of 2,954 meters (9,692 ft) above sea level. A large solfataric, dormant stratovolcano, it is part of the Apo-Talomo Mountain Range of Mindanao island. Apo is situated on the tripartite border of Davao City, Davao del Sur, and Cotabato; its peak is visible from Davao City 45 kilometers (28 mi) to the northeast, Digos 25 kilometers (16 mi) to the southeast, and Bansalan 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the west. Apo is a protected area and is the centerpiece of Mount Apo Natural Park.
Lanao del Norte, officially the Province of Lanao del Norte, is a province in the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is Tubod.
Bukidnon, officially the Province of Bukidnon, is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Northern Mindanao region. Its capital is the city of Malaybalay while Valencia is the largest city. The province borders, clockwise from the north, Misamis Oriental, Agusan del Sur, Davao del Norte, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, and Lanao del Norte. According to the 2020 census, the province is inhabited by 1,541,308 residents. The province is composed of 2 component cities and 20 municipalities. It is the third largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction behind Palawan and Isabela respectively.
Cotabato, formerly and still commonly referred to as North Cotabato and officially the Province of Cotabato, is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao. Its capital is the city of Kidapawan, the most populous in the province. Some of its municipalities are under the jurisdiction of the nearby Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Iligan, officially the City of Iligan, is a highly urbanized city in the region of Northern Mindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 363,115 people making it the second most populous city in Northern Mindanao after Cagayan de Oro.
Marawi, officially the Islamic City of Marawi, is a component city and capital of the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 207,010 people.
Tinago Falls is a waterfall on the Agus River, located in between the town of Linamon and Iligan City, Lanao del Norte in the northern part of the Philippine island of Mindanao. It is one of the main tourist attractions of Iligan, a city known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls.
Lake Lanao is a large ancient lake in the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. With a surface area of 340 km2 (130 sq mi), it is the largest lake in Mindanao, the deepest and second largest lake in the Philippines, and counted as one of the 15 ancient lakes in the world. Scholars have been pushing for the lake's inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The lake's native people call themselves the Maranao or Meranaw. Their name was derived from the name of the lake, meaning "the people living around the lake".
Balo-i, officially the Municipality of Balo-i, is a municipality in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 68,465 people.
Linamon, officially the Municipality of Linamon, is a municipality in the province of Lanao del Norte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 21,269 people.
Laguindingan Airport, also referred to as Laguindingan International Airport, is an international airport in Northern Mindanao that serves the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Marawi, as well as the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon in the Philippines. The airport is Mindanao's second-busiest airport after Francisco Bangoy International Airport in Davao City.
The Agus River is a river that flows for 36.5 kilometres (22.7 mi) from Lake Lanao to Iligan Bay, Philippines. It cuts through the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte. Settlements along the banks of the river include the city of Marawi, the municipality of Linamon, and the city of Iligan. It separates into two channels as it drains to Iligan Bay; one goes over the Maria Cristina Falls, while the other supplies the Tinago Falls. The river descends for about 2,200 feet (670 m) from its source as it flows for 21 miles (34 km) before draining to the sea. The river is relatively shallow as it is only 4 feet (1.2 m) deep in some areas. The Agus River's watershed spans about 11,320.00 hectares. It has a discharge of about 10 cubic metres per second (350 cu ft/s) and flows from a narrow depression off the northwestern rim of the lake and flows over a basalt rock formation. The canyon carved by the river suggests a short erosional period.
Maria Cristina Airport, also known as Iligan Airport, is an airport serving the general area of Iligan, located in the province of Lanao del Norte in the Philippines. It is the only airport in the province. The airport is classified as a secondary airport, or a minor commercial domestic airport, by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Abaga Falls is a waterfall and ecosystem located approximately 15 km southwest of Iligan City on the island of Mindanao, Philippines, specifically in barangay Abaga, Baloi municipality, Lanao del Norte. The height of Abaga Falls is approximately twice that of the more famous Maria Cristina Falls also located within the proximity of Iligan City. Unlike Maria Cristina Falls, however, which is fed by the Agus river, the water source of Abaga Falls are several underground springs which flow into the top of Abaga Falls via several tributaries.
Cagayan de Oro (CDO), officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is a highly urbanized city in the region of Northern Mindanao, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 728,402 people, making it the 10th most populous city in the Philippines and the most populous in Northern Mindanao.
Pantuwaraya Lake National Park is a protected area of the Philippines located in barangay Pantao Raya in the municipality of Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur. The park covers an area of 20 hectares comprising Lake Pantao Raya and the surrounding area. It was declared a national park in 1965 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4190.
The Mindanao Railway, previously known as the Trans-Mindanao High Speed Railway, is a proposed railway system in Mindanao, the southernmost major island of the Philippines. Originally proposed in 1936 as part of Manuel L. Quezon's efforts to strengthen the presence of Commonwealth government in Mindanao against the rising influence of Imperial Japan before World War II, the line was shelved. Other proposals and studies were made in the 1950s, 1990s, and the 2000s, but never materialized. The current line began development in 2018; however, construction has yet to start. It will be initially built as a single-track standard gauge system to be operated by diesel-powered rolling stock, but will have provisions for upgrading to double-track and electrification through overhead lines.
