ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE

Population

27th largest Total (2007) 823,130 Area 8th largest Total 6,618.0 km2 (2,555 sq mi)

languages

Cebuano,Zamboangueno/Chavacano, Subanon, Tagalog and English

General Information

Zamboanga del Norte is a province of the Philippines located in the Zamboanga Peninsula region in Mindanao. Its capital is Dipolog City and the province borders Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay to the south and Misamis Occidental to the east. The Sulu Sea lies to the northwest of Zamboanga del Norte.Zamboanga del Norte is the Largest province of Zamboanga Peninsula in terms of land area. The province that is hailed as the “Twin-City Province”, Zamboanga Del Norte is quite known for its remarkable beauty and grace from the Orchid City of Dipolog and the historic Dapitan Shrine.

Geography

Zamboanga del Norte is situated in Northern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north and west by the Sulu Sea, on the east by Misamis Occidental, and on the south by Zamboanga del Sur.

Economy

About half of the province's land area is devoted to agriculture. Corn, coconut, and rice are major crops. The province being rich in marine and mineral sources, its fish production has accelerated through the development of fishponds. Commercial fishing has likewise steadily increased through the years, with the yellow fin tuna as the primary species. In 2006, a study by National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB), found Zamboanga del Norte Province to be the Philippines's poorest with a poverty incidence rate of 64.6% in 2003, an increase from 47% in year 2000 statistical figures.

Climate

Zamboanga Del Norte has a mild and moderate climate due to evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year. Its southern portion has a longer dry season.

Transportation

Zamboanga del Norte can be reached through Bus and Plain. Level of Security Moderate Level