Zamboanga City facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zamboanga City
Highly urbanized city
City of Zamboanga
Zamboanga City Hall Zamboanga Cathedral Plaza Pershing Great Santa Cruz Island Pasonanca Natural Park Fort Pilar Shrine Taluksangay Mosque
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  City of Flowers Asia's Latin City Sardines Capital of The Philippines
Motto(s):  Build Back Better Zamboanga
Anthem: Zamboanga Hermosa (Beautiful Zamboanga)
Map of Zamboanga Peninsula with Zamboanga City highlighted
OpenStreetMap
Zamboanga City Location in Philippines
Country	Philippines
Region	Zamboanga Peninsula
Province	Zamboanga del Sur (statistically only)
District	1st (West Coast) and 2nd (East Coast) districts of Zamboanga City
Founded	June 23, 1635
Chartered	October 12, 1936
Cityhood	February 26, 1937
Highly urbanized city	November 22, 1983
Barangays	98 (see Barangays)
Government
• Type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Area
• Highly urbanized city	1,453.27 km2 (561.11 sq mi)
Area rank	3rd (city)
Elevation	96 m (315 ft)
Highest elevation	1,358 m (4,455 ft)
Lowest elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• Highly urbanized city	977,234
• Rank	6th
• Density	672.4380/km2 (1,741.606/sq mi)
• Urban	2,100,000
• Metro	4,710,000 (Regional)
• Households	227,352
Demonym(s)	Zamboangueño (Major Ethnicity)
Economy
• Gross domestic product (GDP)	₱139.47 billion (2022) $2.463 billion (2022)
• Income class	1st city income class
• Poverty incidence	3.3 % (2021)
• Revenue	₱ 5,720 million (2022)
• Assets	₱ 23,408 million (2022)
• Expenditure	₱ 3,142 million (2022)
• Liabilities	₱ 1,941 million (2022)
Service provider
• Electricity	Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative (ZAMCELCO)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ZIP code	7000
PSGC	[https://psa.gov.ph/classification/psgc/?q=psgc/barangays/{{#pro000&regcode={{&provcode= p {{#property:P988}} ]
IDD : area code	+63 (0)62
Native languages	Chavacano Other Languages: Cebuano Hiligaynon Sama Subanen Tagalog Tausug Yakan Filipino English

Zamboanga City, also known as the City of Zamboanga, is a large and important city in the Zamboanga Peninsula region of the Philippines. As of the 2024 census, it has over 1 million people. It is the third-largest city in the Philippines by land area. It is also the sixth-most populated city in the country and the second-most populated in Mindanao, after Davao City. Zamboanga City is a major center for business and industry in its region.

Zamboanga became an official city on October 12, 1936, and was formally opened on February 26, 1937. It is an independent city, meaning it governs itself. It was named a "highly urbanized city" on November 22, 1983. Even though it's independent, for statistics, it's often grouped with the province of Zamboanga del Sur.

What's in a Name?

The name Zamboanga comes from the word samboangan (or sambuangan) in the Sinama language. This word means "mooring place," which is where boats can be tied up. The name of the Zamboanga Peninsula also comes from this word.

Some people mistakenly think the name comes from the Indonesian word jambangan, which they believe means "place of flowers." However, jambangan actually means "pot" or "bowl." The city's nickname, "City of Flowers," came from this misunderstanding.

A Look Back in Time

Early Settlements

The Zamboanga Peninsula was first settled by the Subanen people around the 12th or 13th century. Later, the ancestors of the Yakan, Balanguingui, and other Sama-Bajau peoples also made this area their home.

Around the 13th century, the Tausūg people moved to the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago. They became the main group in the area after they became Muslims in the 14th century. They then formed the Sultanate of Sulu. Many Yakan, Balanguingui, and Sama-Bajau people also became Muslim.

Spanish Influence

Spanish explorers arrived in the Philippines in 1521. In 1569, Zamboanga was chosen by the Spanish as a good place for a settlement and military base. Spain offered protection to the area against the Sulu Sultanate. Zamboanga City became an important Spanish stronghold in Mindanao. It helped spread Christianity and protected the island from foreign invaders and pirates.

In 1635, Spanish soldiers and workers from the Visayas settled here. They started building Fort San José, now known as Fort Pilar, to protect people from pirates. On June 23, 1635, King Philip IV of Spain approved Zamboanga as the main Spanish headquarters. This fort was central to many battles between local groups and the Spanish.

The Spanish left Zamboanga for a while in 1662 because of threats from the Chinese. However, the Jesuits stayed and cared for the Christian community. The Spanish returned in 1718 and rebuilt the fort. It continued to protect the Christian settlement from pirates and invaders.

In 1831, Zamboanga became a major port for trade with Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The Spanish government eventually gave control of the islands to the United States in the 1890s.

Becoming a Republic

On May 28, 1899, the Republic of Zamboanga was formed after local revolutionary forces defeated the last Spanish government. General Vicente Álvarez became the first president. This republic included Christians, Muslims, and Lumads. It lasted until 1903 when the United States took control.

American Period

When the Americans took over in 1903, Zamboanga became the capital of the Moro Province. This was a special government area with five districts. Zamboanga became a hub for business and government in Mindanao. Famous American leaders, like General John J. Pershing, served as governors here.

In 1920, Zamboanga City stopped being the capital of the Moro Province. It then became part of the larger Zamboanga province.

City Charter and Commonwealth Era

In 1935, people wanted Zamboanga to become a city. On September 23, 1936, a law was passed to make Zamboanga a chartered city. President Manuel Quezon signed this law on October 12, 1936. This made Zamboanga City one of the largest cities in the world by land area at the time. It was also a leading commercial and industrial city in Mindanao.

World War II

Japanese forces landed in Zamboanga City on March 2, 1942. The city was later freed by American and Filipino forces after a battle from March 10–12, 1945.

After the War

After World War II, it was hard for people on Basilan island to travel to Zamboanga City for government services. So, Basilan became a separate city on July 16, 1948.

In 1955, a new law changed how the city government worked. The mayor's position became elected by the people, and a vice mayor and eight city councilors were also elected.

Modern Times

In 2013, Maria Isabelle Climaco Salazar, niece of former Mayor Cesar Climaco, became the second woman mayor of the city.

Zamboanga City Crisis

On September 9, 2013, a group of former fighters from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) took hostages in Zamboanga City. They tried to raise the flag of a self-declared state. The Philippine military stepped in to free the hostages and remove the group from the city. This led to fighting in the city that lasted for days.

After the crisis, Mayor Climaco-Salazar and her team worked to help people who lost their homes. They moved them to temporary sites and then to new permanent houses. Her plan, called "Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Rehabilitation (Z3R)," aimed to rebuild and improve the city.

City Landscape

Geography and Land

Zamboanga City has a coastline with rocky areas and sandy beaches. Where rivers meet the sea, flat plains have formed. The city also has mangrove areas and the Pasonanca Watershed Forest Reserve.

The city's land is mostly rolling hills to very steep areas. There are some flat parts, especially along the east coast and in the city center. The highest point is 1,200 meters above sea level.

Zamboanga City includes many islands like Great and Little Santa Cruz, Tictabon, Sacol, and Vitali. The total land area of the city is about 1,453.27 square kilometers. Including its islands, the total area is around 1,515.75 square kilometers.

Climate

Zamboanga City has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it has warm temperatures all year round and a lot of rain, especially during certain months.

Barangays

Zamboanga City is divided into 98 smaller areas called barangays. Each barangay has smaller parts called puroks, and some have sitios.

These barangays are grouped into two areas for voting in Congress. The West Coast has 38 barangays, and the East Coast has 60.

People of Zamboanga

Zamboanga City is the 5th most populated city in the Philippines. It is the 2nd most populated in Mindanao, after Davao City. The city's population grew by over 115,000 people between 2015 and 2020. It was estimated to have reached 1 million people in 2021.

The most populated barangays are Talon-Talon, Mampang, Tumaga, Tetuan, Calarian, San Roque, and Pasonanca.

Religions

The main religion in Zamboanga City is Roman Catholicism. Other major religions include Islam and Evangelical Protestantism.

Roman Catholicism

More than half of the city's population is Roman Catholic. Zamboanga City was the first place in Mindanao to have its own Catholic diocese.

The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is the main church for the Archdiocese of Zamboanga. The first church was built near Plaza Pershing. It became a cathedral in 1910. The cathedral was damaged during World War II. In 1956, it moved to its current location next to Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

The city's special patroness is Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza.

Islam

Muslims are an important part of Zamboanga, making up about 37.62% of the population. Some areas, like Campo Islam, are mostly Muslim due to people moving from Sulu. The Yakan, a Muslim group from Basilan, also moved to the city. These Muslim-majority areas celebrate Hari Raya (the Eid celebration) instead of traditional fiestas.

Other Christian Faiths

During the American era, different Protestant groups came to Zamboanga. These include the Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines, Philippine Independent Church, Seventh-day Adventist Church, and United Church of Christ in the Philippines. Many Protestants are migrants from other parts of the Philippines. Members of Iglesia ni Cristo also live in Zamboanga City.

Ethnic Groups

The Zamboangueño people are a unique group from the Zamboanga peninsula. Their ancestors are believed to have moved to other parts of Southwestern Mindanao. Besides the original Subanon people, other groups like the Samal, Yakan, Tausug, and Badjao peoples also live in the city.

A study in 2021 showed that some Zamboangueños have "West Eurasian ancestry." This likely comes from Spanish soldiers who were in the area centuries ago.

Languages Spoken

The main language spoken in Zamboanga City is Chavacano. This language is based on Spanish words but has grammar influenced by other local languages like Subanon. The original language of the area was Subanon language, but it is not widely spoken today.

Besides Chavacano, Filipino and English are also commonly used and understood. These are official languages of the Philippines. The Bahasa Sug or Tausug language is the second most spoken language in the city because many Tausug people have moved from nearby provinces. Cebuano is the third most spoken language. Other languages like Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Maguindanaon, Maranao, Sama, and Yakan can also be heard.

City Economy

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

Zamboanga City's economy has grown a lot. Its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached P139.47 billion in 2022. Even with the pandemic, the economy bounced back strongly.

Zamboanga City contributes about one-third of the Zamboanga Peninsula's total GDP, which was P427.78 billion in 2022. This is the largest share of any province or city in the region. Zamboanga City's economy is the third largest in Mindanao, after Davao and Cagayan de Oro.

Sardine Industry

Zamboanga City is known as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines. Eleven out of twelve sardine companies in the country are located here. Sardine fishing and processing make up about 70 percent of the city's economy. The city is a great place for fishing boats because it's close to the rich fishing grounds of the Sulu Sea.

These companies are improving their production to meet international food safety standards. They are also looking to sell their canned sardines in new markets like Russia and other European countries.

Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone

The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority and Freeport (ZamboEcoZone) was created in 1995. It's also called the Zamboanga Freeport Authority (ZFA). This special economic zone is about 23 kilometers from the city center. It's one of the few economic freeport zones outside of Luzon.

Shopping Malls

Zamboanga City has become a popular place for new shopping malls. Big national mall companies like KCC Malls, CityMalls, and SM Supermalls have opened branches here. Other companies like Vista Mall, Robinsons Mall, and Ayala Malls are also interested in the city.

KCC Mall de Zamboanga opened on December 10, 2015. It is one of the largest malls in Mindanao.

SM Supermalls, the country's biggest shopping retailer, bought Mindpro Citimall in 2016. It was renamed "SM City Mindpro" and opened on December 8, 2020.

On February 23, 2023, SM Prime Holdings started building SM City Zamboanga. This will be the second SM Mall in the city and is expected to open by 2025. It will be the second largest mall in the region.

Malls in Zamboanga City

Name	Location	Gross floor area	Opened	Status
KCC Mall de Zamboanga	Camins Avenue	162,000 m2	2015	Operating
SM City Mindpro	La Purisima Street	59,383 m2	2020	Operating
CityMall Tetuan	Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan	15,344 m2	2015	Operating
SM City Zamboanga	Vitaliano Agan Avenue	91,000 m2	2025	Under-construction
Grand CityMall Guiwan	MCLL Highway, Guiwan	33,401 m2	2025	Under-construction

Seaweed Industry

Zamboanga City is a major producer of seaweed. Along with Cebu and Southern Luzon, its seaweed plants produce most of the world's supply of carrageenan. About 75% of the Philippines' eucheuma and kappaphycus seaweed comes from the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Sulu Archipelago.

International Trade

Zamboanga City is part of the East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA). This is a group that helps countries in Southeast Asia work together economically. Because of this, there are now air and sea routes between Zamboanga City and Sandakan in Malaysia. These two cities have a history of trade and cultural connections.

How the City is Governed

Executive Branch

Zamboanga City is one of the oldest cities in the Philippines. It has a mayor–council system. This means the city is led by a mayor and a city council.

From 1912 to 1914, the city government was run by an appointed mayor. Then, it became a municipality with an elected mayor and vice-president.

When Zamboanga became a chartered city in 1936, the mayor was appointed by the President of the Philippine Commonwealth. In 1955, the mayor's position became elected by the people, and the role of vice mayor was created.

Representation in Congress

Zamboanga City got its own representatives in the Philippine Congress in 1984. Before that, it was part of the representation for the larger Zamboanga Province.

The city now has two separate congressional districts. The West Coast, from the City Proper to Barangay Limpapa, is represented by Congressman Khymer Adan Olaso. The East Coast, from Barangay Tetuán to Barangay Licomo, is represented by Congressman Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe.

Legislative Branch

The first group of lawmakers in Zamboanga City was formed in 1914. It had councilors representing different areas of the municipality.

When the City Charter was signed in 1936, the city council was created. It was led by the mayor and included five councilors, the city treasurer, and the city engineer. All members were appointed by the President.

In 1955, the council members became elected by the people, and the number of members increased to eight. The vice mayor became the leader of the council.

Today, the city council, called the Sangguniang Panglungsod, has 19 members:

• The Vice Mayor, who leads the council and is elected by the whole city.
• 8 councilors, with 4 elected from each of the two legislative districts.
• The head of the Liga ng mga Barangay (Association of Barangay Captains).
• The president of the Federasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council Federation).
• A representative for the Indigenous Peoples in Zamboanga City.

Justice System

There are plans to create more Regional Trial Court branches in Zamboanga City and nearby areas. Out of 19 total branches, ten will be for Zamboanga City.

Armed Forces and Law Enforcement

Zamboanga City has many military, police, and coast guard bases. The Edwin Andrews Air Base is home to the Air Force unit at the Zamboanga International Airport. Camp General Basilio Navarro is the main base for the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom), which is a major military command for Western Mindanao.

The Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao is located near Camp General Basilio Navarro. There is also a coast guard station at the Port of Zamboanga. Zamboanga City also has the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm, one of the oldest prisons in the country.

Getting Around

Air Travel

The Zamboanga International Airport is in Barangay Canelar. It has a long runway that can handle international flights and large planes. The government has invested money to improve the airport's facilities. In 2008, it was the tenth-busiest airport in the Philippines.

There are plans for a new airport in Barangays Mercedes and Talabaan. The current airport site might be turned into a business district in the future.

Land Travel

The main ways to get around the city are by taxis, jeepneys, tricycles, and bajaj/piaggios. Buses from the Yanson Group of Bus Companies travel long distances from Zamboanga City to other parts of Mindanao and the Visayas. Smaller bus companies serve nearby towns. Taxis were introduced in 2018 and have grown to 100 units, with plans to add more.

Sea Travel

Zamboanga City has many seaports and wharves, both private and government-owned. The main government-operated port is large and modern, able to handle many ships at once. Many shipping companies use the Port of Zamboanga. The city also has fast boat services to Sandakan, Malaysia, and cargo ships from Vietnam deliver goods here.

In 2002, the Port of Zamboanga City had over 5.57 million passenger movements, more than other major ports in the Philippines. In 2009, a large project to expand the port was completed.

City Facilities

New Developments

SR Township is a large development in Boalan. Its first phase includes building the "Grand Sadik Mosque," which will be one of the biggest mosques in the Philippines. It will also have a mall, a convention center, and a hotel.

The Andaluz township by Vista Estates, also in Boalan, is a 32-hectare development. It aims to create a lifestyle similar to Seville, Spain, with homes, leisure areas, and a commercial district. It is planned to be a future "Central Business District" for the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Communication

Major phone companies like Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company operate in Zamboanga City. Mabuhay Satellite Corporation and DITO have facilities here to improve communication services. InfiniVAN Inc., with partners, has a submarine cable network that includes Zamboanga City as a landing station, further boosting connectivity.

Electricity

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative provides electricity to the entire city. A coal-fired power plant with a capacity of 105 megawatts was built in the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority. It started construction in late 2017 and was expected to be fully working by 2020.

Water Supply

Zamboanga City gets most of its water from the Tumaga River. The Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) serves about 48% of the population. To meet future needs as the city grows, other water sources like rivers and springs will need to be used.

ZCWD also has 24 production wells that provide additional water daily.

Health Services

Zamboanga City has several hospitals and medical centers. The Zamboanga Peninsula Medical Center, opened in 2015, is one of the largest and most modern in the region. The government-run Zamboanga City Medical Center was founded in 1918. Brent Hospital and Colleges, Inc., founded in 1914, also operates a school for nursing and health courses.

The Zamboanga City Red Cross chapter was started on June 17, 1946. The West Metro Medical Center is a private hospital with a capacity of 110 beds, and it is expanding.

In 2006, the US Navy hospital ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), visited Zamboanga City to provide medical, dental, and animal care to the people.

Sports and Fun Places

Convention centers like the Garden Orchid Hotel's Convention Center, Palacio del Sur, and Centro Latino host many events. KCC Mall de Zamboanga also has its own convention halls.

Sports venues in Zamboanga City include the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, the Universidad de Zamboanga Summit Centre, and the Mayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum.

Education

Zamboanga City has many public and private schools. The Western Mindanao State University is a state-run university. Other important schools include Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Universidad de Zamboanga, Southern City Colleges, and Pilar College.

Culture and Food

Local Dishes

Zamboanga's food mixes influences from different parts of the Philippines and other countries.

Some unique dishes include:

• Curacha Alavar: These are steamed or boiled spanner crabs cooked with garlic, ginger, and salt. They are served with a special sauce made from coconut milk and crab fat. This is a specialty of Alavar Seafood Restaurant.
• Chupa kulo: These are mangrove snails cooked in a sauce with coconut milk, squash, and ferns. This dish is a specialty of Santa Cruz Island.
• Paella zamboangueño: A local version of the Spanish rice dish.
• Knickerbocker: A refreshing dessert.

You can also find many Tausug and Sama dishes throughout the city.

Media

Zamboanga City has many radio stations (26 in total) and television stations (17 regular, 3 cable). Several local newspapers are also published, such as The Daily Zamboanga Times, The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, and Voz de Mindanao.

Tourist Spots

The Department of Tourism has named Zamboanga City a top tourist spot in the Zamboanga Peninsula. The number of tourists, both local and foreign, increased by 8% in 2005. Most visitors were Filipinos, and many had visited the city before.

Zamboanga City's famous Pink Sand Beach on Santa Cruz Island was recognized by National Geographic as one of the "World's 21 Best Beaches" in 2018. After this, tourist numbers surged. A day trip to the island often includes visiting Little Santa Cruz's white sandbar and exploring the island's lagoon, which is rich in marine life.

Another popular new tourist spot is the 11 Islands (also called Onçe Islas). This is a group of islands with white-sand beaches and sandbars located on the city's east coast.

Despite some warnings, tourism continues to grow, showing that visitors have a positive view of the city. In 2018, the entire Zamboanga Peninsula Region had over 723,000 tourist arrivals.

Famous People from Zamboanga

• Eumir Marcial – A Filipino boxer who won a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics and has four gold medals in the South East Asian Games.
• Mike Tolomia – A basketball player.
• Cesar Climaco - Served as mayor of Zamboanga City for 11 years. He was known for speaking out against the government during a difficult time in Philippine history.
• Roseller T. Lim – The first Zamboangueño to become a Philippine senator. He was known as the "Great Filibuster" for speaking for over 18 hours to try and stop an election.
• Alyssa Alano – A Filipina-Australian film and TV actress.
• Hidilyn Diaz – A Filipina weightlifter and airwoman. She won a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. On July 26, 2021, Diaz won the Philippines' first Olympic gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics for women's weightlifting, setting a new Olympic record.
• Buddy Zabala – A Filipino musician and producer, known for being the bassist of the band Eraserheads.
• Anton Mari H. Lim – A Filipino veterinarian, businessman, and humanitarian.
• Andy Mark C. Barroca – A Filipino professional basketball player for the Magnolia Hotshots.
• Ryan Roose B. "RR" Garcia – A Filipino professional basketball player for the TNT KaTropa.
• Rudy Briones Lingganay Jr. – Another Filipino professional basketball player for the TNT KaTropa.
• Chico Lanete – A Filipino professional basketball player for the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

Sister Cities

Zamboanga City has special partnerships with other cities, called "sister cities."

Local
Davao City, Davao del Sur Baguio, Benguet Makati, Metro Manila San Mateo, Rizal Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental Gumaca, Quezon

International
Pekanbaru, Indonesia Sandakan, Malaysia Zaragoza, Spain Zhoushan, China

See also

In Spanish: Zamboanga para niños

• Cagayan de Oro
• Davao City
• General Santos
• Cotabato City