Basilan (original) (raw)
Basilan is an island province of the Philippines located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Its capital is Isabela City and is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula. Basilan is the northernmost among the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago.
Basilan figured prominently in international news as one of the strongholds of the Islamic terrorist group, the Abu Sayyaf. This group kidnapped a group of tourists from Palawan and brought them to Basilan, including an American Christian missionary couple, Martin and Gracia Burnham.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
Province of Basilan
Established:
Population:
_2000 census_—259,796 (16th smallest).
_Density_—210 per km² (40th highest).
Area: 1,234.2 km² (8th smallest)
Languages: Cebuano, Chavacano
Governor: Ustadz Abdulwahab M. Akbar (2001-2004)
NOTE: The data above does not include Isabela City.
People and Culture
Economy
Geography
Political
Basilan is subdivided into 6 municipalities and 1 city. Isabela City is the only city and capital of Basilan. However, Isabela City is independent of the province and is actually part of the region of Zamboanga Peninsula. Basilan used to be part of Western Mindanao (the former name of Zamboanga Peninsula), but in a recent plebiscite the residents of Basilan opted to join ARMM, with the exception of Isabela City.
City
Municipalities
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