Mindanao (/mɪndəˈnaʊ/ (About this sound listen)) or still commonly known as

Southern Philippines, is the second largest island in the Philippines. Mindanao and
the smaller islands surrounding it make up the island group of the same name.
Located in the southern region of the archipelago, as of the 2010 census, the main
island was inhabited by 20,281,545 people, while the entire Mindanao island group
had an estimated total of 25,537,691 (2018) residents.

Mindanao
Mindanao Red.png
Mindanao mainland in red;
its associated islands in maroon
Mindanao is located in PhilippinesMindanaoMindanao
Location within the Philippines
Geography
Location
Philippines
Coordinates
8°00′N 125°00′E
Archipelago
Philippines
Adjacent bodies of water
Bohol Sea
Celebes Sea
Philippine Sea
Sulu Sea
Surigao Strait
Major islands
MindanaoBasilanJoloTawitawiBucas GrandeDinagatSiargaoSamalCamiguin
Area
97,530 km2 (37,660 sq mi)[1]
Area rank
19th
Highest elevation
2,954 m (9,692 ft)
Highest point
Mount Apo
Administration
Philippines
Regions
ARMM
Caraga
Davao Region
Northern Mindanao
Soccsksargen
Zamboanga Peninsula
Provinces
List
Largest settlement
Davao City (pop. 1,632,991)
Demographics
Demonym
Mindanaoan/Mindanawan/Mindanawon
Population
25,537,691 (2018) (Mindanao island group) (2010)[2]
Pop. density
243 /km2 (629 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups
List
According to the 2015 Philippine Population Census, Davao City is the most populous
city on the island, with a population of 1,632,991 residents, followed by Zamboanga
City (pop. 861,799), Cagayan de Oro City (pop. 675,950), General Santos City (pop.
594,446) and Iligan City (pop. 342,618).[3] About 70% of residents identify as
Christian, and 20% identify as Muslim.[4] Mindanao is divided into six regions:
Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Davao, Soccsksargen, and the
Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Native ethnic groups in Mindanao include the Lumad (the Subanons of the Zamboanga
Peninsula[5]); the Bukidnon, Manobos, Mamanwas, Talaandig, and Higaonon of Northern
Mindanao and Caraga;[6][7] the T'boli and Teduray of SOCCSKSARGEN Region; and the
Bagobo and Samal Mandayas of Davao[8]), and the Moro (Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug,
Yakan, and Sama) in ARMM and Soccsksargen.

Mindanao is considered the major breadbasket of the Philippines.[9] Eight of the

top 10 agri-commodities exported from the Philippines come from the island.[10]

Mindanao is known for its moniker being The Philippines' Land of Promise.[11]