Misamis Oriental
is in northern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Macajalar
Bay and the Bohol Sea, on the east by Agusan del Norte, on the west
by Iligan Bay, and on the south by Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte.
BRIEF PROFILE |
Capital: |
Cagayan de
Oro City |
Land Area: |
3,102.9 km² |
Population: |
813,856 (2010) |
Cities: |
Cagayan de Oro, El Salvador, Gingoog |
Munacipalities: |
23 |
Barangays: |
424 |
Districts: |
1st and 2nd district of Misamis Oriental, 1st and 2nd district of Cagayan de Oro City |
Languages: |
Cebuano, Filipino (Tagalog),English |
The land_______________________________
The province has an irregular coastline indented by two bays -
Macajalar and Gingoog. The eastern part consits of angular hills
cut by streams in deep gorges. The central part is characterized
by sloping lowlands and river valleys. The western part has rough
hills rising abruptly from the sea. The coastal lowlands are narrow.
The eastern part of the province has pronounced rainfall from
November to January. The central and western part are relatively
dry from November to April and wet the rest of the year.
A Brief History___________________________
The name "Misamis" comes from the word "kuyamis,"
a local variety of sweet coconut. The province´s original
inhabitants were Bukidnons and the Manobos. They were driven into
the interior when Visayan settlers arrived.
Misamis used to be a part of the diocese of Cebu. In 1818, it
became a "corregimento" comprised of four divisions:
Misamis, including Iligan, Dapitan, Cagayan and Catarman, on the
island of Camuigen. In 1850, it included Bukidnon and the northern
part of Cotabato. At close of the Spanish era, Misamis constituted
on of the seven districts of Mindanao.
On November 2, 1929, Misamis was divided into two provinces.
However, it was not until November 28, 1939 that the division
was formally implemented.
The People______________________________
The majority of the population in the coastal lowlands are of
Visayan descent.
The main dialect is Cebuano. Other dialects spoken in the province
are Hiligaynon, Waray and Maranao.
Commerce and Industry_____________________
Fishing is an important industry. Coconut, corn, coffe and bananas
are the major crops. In the mountain ranges are mineral lands
that have been exploited.
Because of its strategic location, Misamis Oriental is becoming
a center of industry, trade and commerce. About 37 major industrial
and manufacturing firms are located in the province, including
the country´s largest industrial estate.
Getting There and Away_____________________
Domestic flights from Manila and Cebu are available.
Ferries and fastcrafts ply the Cagayan-Cebu route several times
a week.
Buses all over the Mindanao Island depart for the province several
times a week.
Other Information__________________________
Misamis Oriental, being a costal province has 33 beaches.
Gingoog also have a number of falls, inlcuding the Libon-Lawit
Waterfalls, which are three falls conected by the same stream.
Caves worth exploring are spread throughout the province.
The Santillano Shell Collection exhibts over 1000 priceless shells
from all over the world.
Cagayan de Oro holds the Kagayhaan Festival as a local Mardi Gras
during the annual feast of the city´s patron, St. Augustine.