POPULATION
The region had a total population of 2,738,000 in 2000. This increased by 9.3% from its population of 2,483,272 in 1995. In 1990, less than a million residents live in the urban areas as compared to 1,204,205 (55%) living in the countryside.

CULTURAL GROUPS
The majority of the region’s inhabitants are migrants from Cebu and Iloilo. There are also Waray-warays, Tagalogs and the indigenous Maranaos.

CLIMATE
Rainfall in Northern Mindanao is evenly distributed throughout the year. Its abundant vegetation, natural springs and high elevation contribute to the region’s cool, mild and invigorating climate.

LAND USE
The region has a total land area of 1,403,293 hectares of which 657,100 hectares are alienable and disposable lands and the remaining 746,193 hectares are forestland.

NATURAL RESOURCES
More than 60% of Northern Mindanao’s total land area are classified as forestland. Its seas abound with fish and other marine products. The region is the country’s third largest producer of corn and banana..

ECONOMY
The region is part of the North Coast Economic Growth Cluster (NCEGC), to facilitate agricultural and industrial development. There are three AREA DEVELOPMENT ZONES (ADZ), two of which can be found within the region: Cagayan de Oro –Iligan Development Corridor and the Panguil Bay – Mt. Malindang ADZ. The ADZs are a network of small and medium business enterprises, as well as heavy industry.

While industrialization is a crucial component of its vision of development, the region aims to be the primary food basket of the country due to rapid land conversion in Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the Visayas, and the destruction caused by lahar flows in Central Luzon.

URBAN CENTERS
The major urban centers of the region are the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Ozamis, Oroquieta, Tangub and Gingoog and the capital towns of Mambajao and Malaybalay.

FACILITIES
Majority of the towns and cities of the region’s mainland provinces are linked by fine road networks. It has several ports for ocean-going and inter-island vessels. There are airports, both government and private.

Electricity is available to many households and water is provided by waterworks systems. It is supplemented by artesian and deep wells. Communication facilities include print, modern telephone systems, telegraph stations and post offices .

A 100 MW land based power plant in Sangali, Zamboanga City has addressed the power crisis of the 1990s. As of 1996, all carriers in the region have already installed 30,514 telephone lines with a working capacity of 18,549 lines.

Land, air and water transport are available in the region. Buses and jeepneys are the main land transport. Inter-island ships and airlines service passengers to and from Manila, Cebu, Zamboanga and other island provinces. Telecommunication facilities are provided by both the government and private sectors. Cities also have post offices and telegraph stations.