Since it
is surrounded by the bays of
iligan, Illana and Panguil and
the Moro Gulf and Celebes Sea,
this strategic location allows
it to establish trade relations
with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia
and Japan.
Since it is in a typhoon free
area, it good potential for
agribusiness and agro-industrial
enterprises .
POPULATION
Based on the 2000 national
census; the region had a total
population of 2,494,000. This
increased by 5.4% from its population
of 2,359,808 in 1995. In 1990,
there were 700,470 males (50.9%)
and 675,938 females.
CULTURAL GROUPS
Around 70% of the total
population in Central Mindanao
are migrants Cebuanos, Hiligaynons,
Ilocanos and Tagalogs. Native
to the region are the Maranaos,
Maguindanaons and other ethnic
tribes.
CLIMATE
Heavy rain during the
months of June to October. There
are dry spells from February
to June. The two provinces are
seldom visited by typhoons.
LAND USE
Its total land area of 965,794
hectares are divided as follows:
forest- land: 32%; agriculture:
65%; mining and quarrying: 1.69%;
and the rest for other land
uses.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Fishing is a major economic
activity because of the rich
fishing grounds of Iligan Bay,
the Moro Gulf and the Celebes
Sea. Its water resources include
the Maria Cristina Falls, large
and numerous rivers, lakes and
streams.
It has rich mineral resources
such as gold, copper, iron,
chromium, silver, zinc, clay
gypsum, limestone and phosphate.
It is also the main source for
hydroelectric power for Mindanao.
ECONOMY
The major earners in the region
are fishing, agriculture and
forest- related products. Hydroelectric
power is provided by the Maria
Cristina Falls. Steel, cement
and coconut oil are some of
the important products of the
region. Coconut, pineapple,
rubber, sugarcane, rice, corn,
banana and other fruits are
the main agricultural produce.
Central Mindanao is part of
three Area Development Zones
(ADZs): Cagayan – Iligan
Industrial Corridor, the Greater
Cotabato – Illana Bay
ADZ and the Panguil Bay- Mt.
Malindang ADZ. The Cagayan –
Iligan Industrial Corridor will
be the center for heavy industry
and bulk supplier of industrial
inputs and finished industrial
products. It is envisioned to
be a trade center for processed
agri-based products as well
as for intermediate and finished
products.
URBAN CENTERS
The city of Iligan in Lanao
del Norte serves as the urban
center of Central Mindanao.
Light to heavy industries, tourist
facilities, and institutions
of higher learning can be found
in the area.
FACILITIES
Maria Cristina Falls and other
tourist attractions are found
in the region. Electricity,
water systems, transportation,
telecommunication and postal
facilities are also available.
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