Northern Mindanao

Northern Mindanao (Cebuano: Amihanang Mindanao; Maranao: Pangotaraan Mindanao; Filipino: Hilagang Mindanao), designated as Region X, is an administrative region in the Philippines. It comprises five provinces: Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte, as well as two highly urbanized cities: Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, all occupying the northern-central part of Mindanao, including the island of Camiguin. The regional center and largest city is Cagayan de Oro.

Northern Mindanao
Region X
From top, left to right: Kitanglad Mountain Range in Bukidnon, White Island in Camiguin, Maria Cristina Falls in Iligan, Port of Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, and Skyline of Cagayan de Oro
Anthem: "Martsa Rehiyon Diyes"
Old Version

Revised Version
Location in the Philippines
Interactive map of Northern Mindanao
Coordinates: 8°45′N 124°55′E / 8.75°N 124.92°E / 8.75; 124.92
CountryPhilippines
Island groupMindanao
Regional center
and largest city
Cagayan de Oro
Area
 • Total
20,496.02 km2 (7,913.56 sq mi)
Highest elevation
(Mount Dulang-dulang)
2,941 m (9,649 ft)
Population
 (2024 census)
 • Total
5,178,326
 • Density252.6503/km2 (654.3613/sq mi)
GDP (Nominal, 2024)
 • TotalUS$22.3 billion
 • Per capitaUS$4,276
Time zoneUTC+8 (PST)
ISO 3166 codePH-10
Provinces
Independent cities
2
Component cities
7
  • El Salvador
  • Gingoog
  • Malaybalay
  • Oroquieta
  • Ozamiz
  • Tangub
  • Valencia
Municipalities84
Barangays2,022
Cong. districts14
Languages
HDI 0.721 (High)
HDI rank7th (2023)
Websitewww.northernmindanao.com

Etymology and history

The current name of the region was derived from its position on Mindanao island. The term was officially coined by the Americans after the establishment of American colonial rule in the Philippines due to the defeat of Filipino revolutionaries. There have been proposals to rename the current Northern Mindanao region, which is dominated by the Cebuano ethnic group, into the Amihanan region. Amihanan literally translates to 'northern area' from the Cebuano language, which is the lingua franca of the region.

Lanao del Norte was transferred to Northern Mindanao from Region XII (then called Central Mindanao) by virtue of Executive Order No. 36 in September 2001.

Geography

Northern Mindanao has a total land area of 2,049,602 hectares (5,064,680 acres). More than 60% of Northern Mindanao's total land area are classified as forest land. Its seas abound with fish and other marine products. The abundant vegetation, natural springs and high elevation contribute to the region's cool, mild and invigorating climate.

Administrative divisions

Northern Mindanao consists of five provinces, two highly urbanized cities, seven component cities, 84 municipalities, and 2,022 barangays.

Provinces

  •  †  Regional center
Province or HUC Provincial Capital Population (2024) Area Density Cities Muni. Barangay
km2 sq mi /km2 /sq mi
Bukidnon Malaybalay 30.9% 1,601,902 10,498.59 4,053.53 150 390 2 20 464
Camiguin Mambajao 1.8% 94,892 241.44 93.22 390 1,000 0 5 58
Lanao del Norte Tubod 14.7% 761,725 3,354.16 1,295.05 230 600 0 22 462
Misamis Occidental Oroquieta City 12.0% 621,993 2,055.22 793.52 300 780 3 14 490
Misamis Oriental Cagayan de Oro 19.1% 988,065 3,131.52 1,209.09 320 830 2 23 424
Cagayan de Oro 14.3% 741,617 412.80 159.38 1,800 4,700 80
Iligan 7.1% 368,132 813.37 314.04 450 1,200 44
Total 5,178,326 20,458.51 7,899.07 250 650 9 84 2,022

 †  Cagayan de Oro and Iligan are highly urbanized cities; figures are excluded from Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Norte respectively.

Governors and vice governors
Province Image Governor Political Party Vice Governor
Rogelio Neil Roque PFP Clive D. Quiño
Camiguin
Xavier Jesus Romualdo Lakas Rodin M. Romualdo
Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo Lakas Allan J. Lim
Henry Oaminal Nacionalista Rowena Gutierrez
Juliette Uy NUP Jeremy Pelaez

Cities

  •  †  Regional center

Demographics

Population census of Northern Mindanao
YearPop.±% p.a.
1903 162,036—    
1918 273,415+3.55%
1939 580,857+3.65%
1948 772,322+3.22%
1960 1,101,957+3.01%
1970 1,611,228+3.87%
1975 1,883,408+3.18%
1980 2,226,169+3.40%
1990 2,811,646+2.36%
1995 3,197,059+2.44%
2000 3,505,708+2.00%
2007 3,952,437+1.67%
2010 4,297,323+3.09%
2015 4,689,302+1.68%
2020 5,022,768+1.46%
2024 5,178,326+0.73%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Northern Mindanao is the 9th most populous region in the Philippines and 3rd in Mindanao (after Bangsamoro and Davao Region) according to the 2024 Philippine Statistics Authority Census. The major urban area of Region X is Metro Cagayan de Oro which includes Cagayan de Oro and some municipalities and cities of Misamis Oriental and Bukidnon.

The vast majority of the region's inhabitants descended from migrants from Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor and Negros Oriental. Some other inhabitants are of Bicolano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Ivatan, Kapampangan, Pangasinan, Waray, Zamboangueño, and Tausug descent, while the autochthonous Bukidnons and Manobos populate the inner highlands.

The largest religion is Christianity, with Roman Catholicism forming 72% of the population and Protestants forming a significant minority of 14%. The second largest religion is Islam, forming 8% of the population.

The main language spoken in the region is Cebuano which is spoken with Northern Mindanao variant that is slightly different from standard Cebuano. The region is also home to sizeable speakers of Bohol dialect of Cebuano. Higaonon, Manobo and Binukid are among the languages native in the region, as are Also spoken varyingly in the region are Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Ivatan, Kapampangan and Waray.

Economy

Poverty incidence of Northern Mindanao

10
20
30
40
50
2000
48.64
2003
44.00
2006
39.01
2009
40.11
2012
39.47
2015
38.72
2018
23.08
2021
19.20

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The economy of Northern Mindanao is the second largest regional economy in the island of Mindanao. While still a mainly agricultural region, there is also a booming growth of industries particularly in Cagayan de Oro and in Iligan. Del Monte Philippines is located in the province of Bukidnon and its processing plant is located in Cagayan de Oro, where it ships its products to the rest of the Philippines and Asia-Pacific region. The Agus-IV to VII Hydroelectric Plants in Iligan and Balo-i supply most of its electrical power in Mindanao.

Notable people

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