Zamboanga Peninsula facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Zamboanga Peninsula Peninsula de Zamboanga Lawis sa Zamboanga
Region
Vintas of Zamboanga
Location in the Philippines
OpenStreetMap
Country	Philippines
Island group	Mindanao
Regional center	Pagadian
Largest city	Zamboanga City
Area
• Total	17,056.73 km² (6,585.64 sq mi)
Highest elevation (Mount Pinukis)	1,532 m (5,026 ft)
Population (2020 census)
• Total	3,875,576
• Density	227.21682/km² (588.48887/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (PST)
ISO 3166 code	PH-09
Provinces	3 Zamboanga del Norte Zamboanga del Sur Zamboanga Sibugay
Independent cities	1 Zamboanga City
Component cities	4 Dapitan Dipolog Isabela City Pagadian
Municipalities	68
Barangays	1,904
Cong. districts	8
Languages	Cebuano Chavacano Maguindanaon Sama Subanon Tagalog Tausug Yakan English
GDP (2023)	₱531.7 billion $9.56 billion
Growth rate	(4.59%)
HDI	0.665 (Medium)
HDI rank	16th in the Philippines (2019)

The Zamboanga Peninsula is a region in the Mindanao island group of the Philippines. It is also known as Region IX. This area was once called Western Mindanao.

The region includes three provinces: Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Zamboanga del Sur. It also has the cities of Isabela and Zamboanga City. Pagadian is the main regional center. Zamboanga City is the biggest city for business and industry.

Discovering Zamboanga Peninsula's Past

Ancient Times and Early Influences

Long ago, the Zamboanga Peninsula was a large area. Many different groups of people lived there. The Subanen people were the largest group. Later, the southern coastal parts of the region were influenced by the Javanese Majapahit Empire. However, this empire never fully took control of the area.

The Rise of Muslim Sultanates

In the 1300s, the Sultanate of Sulu ruled the southwestern parts of the peninsula. By the late 1400s and early 1500s, Malay missionaries helped spread Islam in the southern Philippines.

Sharif Kabungsuwan, a missionary from Johore, started the Sultanate of Maguindanao. The entire island of Mindanao is named after this sultanate. It grew to cover most of Mindanao, from the Zamboanga Peninsula to Davao Oriental. The Sultanate of Sulu lost its lands in Zamboanga.

The sultans of Maguindanao, especially under Muhammad Kudarat, strongly resisted the Spanish. They later became allies with the Sulu sultanate. The Spanish called the Muslim people of the region "Moros." This word meant "Moor," even though the Spanish Moors and Philippine Muslims were not closely related. Much of the fighting between the Spanish and the Muslims happened in the Zamboanga Peninsula.

Spanish Rule and Conflicts

In 1569, the Spanish chose Zamboanga as a place for a settlement and military base. It was called La Caldera, now known as Barrio Recodo. Zamboanga became an important Spanish stronghold in Mindanao. It helped with efforts to settle the south and create Christian communities.

The base also protected the island from invaders and Moro pirates. Soldiers from Peru helped establish the province, which was named after Zamboanga City. The Zamboanga Peninsula was a key area in the Spanish–Moro conflict. There were constant battles between Spanish soldiers and Moro raiders.

Even though the Spanish built churches, they suffered many attacks from the Moros. They often had to leave the region. The Spanish won some battles against the Sultanate of Sulu. However, the ongoing fighting meant the Moros still felt strong and determined.

From Province to Region: Changes Over Time

After the United States took over the Spanish East Indies in 1898, Zamboanga briefly became an independent state called the Republic of Zamboanga. It then became part of the Moro Province. This province included central and western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago.

In 1916, the Moro Province changed its name to the Department of Mindanao and Sulu. Zamboanga then became its own separate province. In 1942, during World War II, the Empire of Japan occupied the Zamboanga Peninsula. American and Philippine forces freed the peninsula in 1945.

On June 6, 1952, the province was divided into Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. Zamboanga City became part of Zamboanga del Sur.

Forming Region IX

In 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos reorganized the provinces that were once part of Zamboanga Province. They became Region IX, also known as Western Mindanao. This also included the Sulu Archipelago.

From 1975 to 1989, Region IX was split into two sub-regions. Sub-Region IX-A included Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi. Its center was Jolo, Sulu. Sub-Region IX-B included Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. Its center was Zamboanga City.

Recent Developments

In 2001, Zamboanga Sibugay province was created from parts of Zamboanga del Sur. Ipil became its capital.

Also in 2001, the people of Basilan voted to join the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). However, the capital city of Isabela chose not to join. So, Isabela City remained part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

Where is the Regional Center?

The location of the regional center has changed several times.

In 1978, the center of Region IX moved from Jolo, Sulu to Zamboanga City.
In 1990, President Corazon Aquino ordered that Pagadian would be the new regional center.
In 1996, President Fidel Ramos issued an order that said Zamboanga City was the regional center.
In 2001, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo renamed Western Mindanao to Zamboanga Peninsula. This order did not mention the regional center.
In 2004, an order directed regional offices to move from Zamboanga City to Pagadian. However, some offices, like Trade and Industry, stayed in Zamboanga City.
In 2010, a temporary stop was put on moving offices to Pagadian. This was because of the high costs for employees.
In 2020, the temporary stop was lifted. It was confirmed that Pagadian is the regional government center. Zamboanga City remains the business and industrial center.
In 2023, another temporary stop was put in place. This was to study the effects of moving the offices further. Regional offices already in Pagadian continue to operate there.

Exploring Zamboanga Peninsula's Geography

The Zamboanga Peninsula is located on the western side of Mindanao. It lies between the Moro Gulf (part of the Celebes Sea) and the Sulu Sea. The coast has many bays and islands.

The peninsula connects to the rest of Mindanao by a narrow strip of land. This strip is between Panguil Bay and Pagadian Bay. The border between Zamboanga del Sur and Lanao del Norte marks the edge of the peninsula. The province of Misamis Occidental is also on the peninsula. However, it belongs to the Northern Mindanao region.

Administrative Divisions: Provinces and Cities

The Zamboanga Peninsula has 3 provinces. It also has 1 independent city, 3 component cities, 67 municipalities, and 1,904 barangays.

Zamboanga del Norte: Its capital is Dipolog City.
Zamboanga del Sur: Its capital is Pagadian City.
Zamboanga Sibugay: Its capital is Ipil.
Zamboanga City: This is a highly urbanized city. It is independent from any province.
Isabela City: This is a component city of Basilan. It is part of the Zamboanga Peninsula for regional purposes.

Cities of the Zamboanga Peninsula

Dapitan is in Zamboanga del Norte. It is known as the "Shrine City" because José Rizal, the national hero, was exiled here. It also has the old St. James Parish and Dakak beach resort.
Dipolog is the capital of Zamboanga del Norte. It is called the "Orchid City of the South" because of its many orchids. It has natural and historical sites like Dipolog Cathedral and the 3,003 steps to Linabo Peak.
Isabela is a city in Basilan. It was the capital of Basilan until 2017. Isabela City is still part of the Zamboanga Peninsula region. It was named after Queen Isabella II. The city was a Spanish fort and naval base. It is now a key point for trade in Basilan island.
Pagadian is the capital of Zamboanga del Sur. It is also the region's administrative center. It is called the "Little Hong Kong of the South" because of its hilly landscape. It has a large Chinese community that celebrates Chinese Lunar New Year.
Zamboanga City is the only highly urbanized city in the region. It is located at the southwestern tip of the peninsula. Zamboanga City is the economic and industrial heart of the region. It has the largest airport and seaport.

People and Population

Zamboanga Peninsula's Economy


Source: Philippine Statistics Authority

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) tracks the economy of the Zamboanga Peninsula. In 2022, Zamboanga City made up 32.6% of the region's total economy. Zamboanga del Norte followed with 26.8%, then Zamboanga del Sur with 23.7%. Zamboanga Sibugay contributed 14.1%, and Isabela City had 2.7%.

All parts of the region grew in 2022. Zamboanga Sibugay had the fastest growth at 8.6%. Zamboanga City grew by 8.1%. The region's overall economic growth was 7.5%.

The region has the first export-processing zone in Mindanao. Farming and fishing are the main ways people earn money. There are also rice and corn mills, oil processing, and coffee processing. Local crafts include rattan furniture, baskets, weaving, and brass work.

Dipolog is known for its bottled sardine companies. These sardines are sold all over the world. Dapitan has many tourist spots. These include Dakak Park and Beach Resort and Glorious Fantasyland, an amusement park.

While Pagadian is the regional center, Zamboanga City has the strongest and fastest-growing economy. It remains the main business and industrial hub.

Natural Resources and Growth Areas

The region has many forest resources. It used to export logs, lumber, and plywood. It also has minerals like gold, chromite, coal, iron, and lead. Non-metal resources include coal, silica, salt, and marble.

The fishing grounds are used for both large-scale and local fishing. There are also farms for fish in both salty and fresh water.

The economic center of the region is the area between Ipil and Liloy. This area, along with towns like Sindangan and Molave, has the fastest economic activity. The 50-kilometer road connecting the north and south acts as a main route for the economy.

Shopping Malls in the Region

The Zamboanga Peninsula has several large shopping malls.

Gaisano Capital Pagadian opened in 2008. It was the first Gaisano Capital mall in the region.
CityMall Tetuan opened in Zamboanga City in 2015.
KCC Mall de Zamboanga opened in Zamboanga City in 2015. It is the largest mall in the region.
CityMall Dipolog opened in 2018.
SM City Mindpro opened in Zamboanga City in 2020. It was the first SM mall in the region.
Gaisano Grand Ipil opened in 2023. It was the first large mall in Zamboanga Sibugay.
Robinsons Pagadian is currently being built and will be the first Robinsons mall in the region.
Grand CityMall Guiwan and SM City Zamboanga are also under construction in Zamboanga City.

Getting Around: Transportation and Roads

Airports in Zamboanga Peninsula

Dipolog Airport serves Dipolog and Zamboanga del Norte. It is a major domestic airport.
Pagadian Airport serves Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay. It is also a major domestic airport.
Zamboanga International Airport is the main airport for Zamboanga City. It is Mindanao's third-busiest airport. There are plans to move this airport to Mercedes by 2030.

Seaports in Zamboanga Peninsula

Port of Dapitan is managed by the Philippine Ports Authority.
Port of Pagadian has recently started its operations again.
Ipil Port
Port of Zamboanga is a key center for exporting sardines to other countries. Many shipping lines use this port.

Roads and Bridges

Zamboanga City By-Pass Road is a 36.77 km road. It helps traffic move around Zamboanga City. It was completed in 2018.
The Pan-Philippine Highway (AH26) passes through Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay. Zamboanga City is its final point.

Images for kids

A view of Pagadian in 2010
A view of downtown Dipolog in 2019
A view of downtown Zamboanga at Night in 2023