Regions of Mindanao
Quick answer
Mindanao is organized into Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM. This directory starts at the regional level, then connects each region to its cities, places, routes, industries, and local civic context.
Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippines, home to more than 26 million people across six administrative regions. Each region has a distinct economic base: Davao Region anchors the south with agribusiness and trade, Northern Mindanao connects Cagayan de Oro to the Bukidnon highlands and Camiguin, SOCCSKSARGEN runs from the Cotabato basin to the tuna capital of General Santos, Caraga stretches along the Pacific-facing Surigao coast and the Agusan river valley, Zamboanga Peninsula controls the western route to the Sulu Sea, and BARMM operates as the island's only autonomous region under parliamentary governance.
Total land area exceeds 100,000 km². The 2020 census recorded Davao Region as the most populous at 5.24 million, followed by Northern Mindanao at 5.02 million. Caraga is the least populous at 2.8 million.
Mindanao region FAQ
How many regions does Mindanao have?
Mindanao has six administrative regions: Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga, and BARMM.
What are the regional centers of Mindanao?
The regional centers are Pagadian for Zamboanga Peninsula, Cagayan de Oro for Northern Mindanao, Davao City for Davao Region, Koronadal for SOCCSKSARGEN, Butuan for Caraga, and Cotabato City for BARMM.
Is Sulu part of BARMM or Region IX?
Sulu is now treated as part of Zamboanga Peninsula under Region IX after Executive Order No. 91 in 2025. Older references may still show it under BARMM or the former ARMM coverage.
Which Mindanao region has the largest population?
Davao Region is the largest Mindanao region by 2020 census population, with 5,243,536 people centered around Davao City and its surrounding provinces.