The City of Zamboanga (Chavacano: Ciudad de Zamboanga, Tagalog: Lungsod ng Zamboanga) is a highly urbanized city located in Mindanao, Philippines. It has a population of more than 807,129 according to the 2010 census.^[1] Zamboanga is the 6th most populous and 3rd largest city by land area in the Philippines.^[2][3] It is the commercial and industrial center of the Zamboanga Peninsula.^[4]

Zamboanga was the capital of the former Moro Province, now Mindanao, from 1903 to 1913. On September 15, 1911, the Municipalidad de Zamboanga was converted into a city by the legislative order Act. No.272.^[5] Known for Hispanic influences in its culture, it bears the nickname "Asia's Latin City."^[6]

Contents 1 History 1.1 Spanish rule 1.2 Republic of Zamboanga 1.3 American period 1.4 World War II 1.5 Post-World War II 2 Geography 2.1 Geology 2.2 Topography, Slope and Elevation 2.3 Climate and temperature 3 Demographics 3.1 Population 3.2 Religion 3.3 Language 4 Government 4.1 Armed forces and law enforcement 5 Communication 5.1 Media 5.2 Telecommunication 6 Transportation 6.1 Land 6.2 Sea 6.3 Air 7 Infrastructure 7.1 Power 7.2 Water 7.3 Bypass Road 8 Economy and industry 8.1 Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority 8.2 Shopping centers and malls 8.3 Sports and recreation facilities 8.4 Seaweed industry 8.5 Sardine industry 9 Education 9.1 Universities and colleges 10 Foreign relations 11 Health 12 Tourism 12.1 Parks, landmarks and other sites 12.2 Festivals and events 13 Sister cities 14 Gallery 15 See also 16 References 17 External links 18 External links

History []

Zamboanga was founded in the late 12th or early 13th century, with the earliest people living there being the Subanen, an indigenous tribe of Malay origin. The Subanen people's name for Zamboanga, 'Sung Lupa', means 'Pointed Land'. Speculation that the name of Zamboanga comes from the word 'Jambangan', meaning the 'Land of Flowers', is met by others insisting the name derives from the word 'Saguan' or 'Sambuan', A Malay word for the paddle used by natives to paddle the vintas in the sea. Still another possible origin is 'Sambon' which refers to herbal plants that grew abundantly in the city.^[7] Badjao, Samal, Tausug and the Yakan tribes from Malayan descent settled in the same part of Mindanao in the early 14th century.^[8] Islam gained predominance in the early 14th century in the Philippines first as a non-indigenous religion from these Austronesian peoples before Christians arrived.^[9]

Spanish rule []

Spanish explorers first arrived in the Philippine archipelago in the year 1521.^[10] In the year 1569 Zamboanga was chosen as the site of the Spanish settlement and garrison on La Caldera (now called Barrio Recodo).^[11] Zamboanga was one of the main strongholds in Mindanao, supporting colonizing efforts in the south of the island and making way for Christian settlements. It also seved as a military outpost, protecting the island against foreign invaders and Moro pirates. After 3 decades (1599), the Zamboanga fort was closed and transferred to Cebú due to great concerns about attack by the English on that island, which did not occur. After having abandoned the city, the Spaniards joined forces with Visayan troops and reached the shore of Zamboanga to bring peace to the island against Moro pirates.^[12]

Zamboanga became the main headquarters of the Spaniards in 1634 upon approval of King Philip IV of Spain; this is now the official establishment of the city by the Spaniards.^[12] Thousands of Spanish troops headed by a Governor General from Spain took the approval to build the first Zamboanga fortress (now called Fort Pilar) in Zamboanga to forestall enemies in Mindanao like Moro pirates and other foreign invaders.^[13] The Zamboanga fortress became the main focus of a number of battles between Moros, Chinese and Spaniards while the Spanish ruled the region from 16th to 18th centuries. While the region was already dominated by Catholicism, Muslims kept up a protracted struggle against the ruling Spaniards in the country into the 18th century.^[14][15]

In the Year 1831, the Custom house in Zamboanga was established as a port, and it became the main port for direct communication, trading some goods and other services to most of Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America.^[16] The Americans arrived in the Philippines, headed by General Weyler with thousands of troops to defeat the Spaniards who ruled it more than three centuries. The Spanish Government sent more than 80,000 Spanish troops in the Philippines. The Spanish Government completely and peacefully surrendered the islands to the United States in the 1890s.^[17]

Republic of Zamboanga []

Before the end of the 19th century; The Republic of Zamboanga was established during the American period in the Philippines and it briefly existed from May 18, 1899 until March 1903. The first President of the Republic of Zamboanga was General Vicente Álvarez, who was succeeded by Isidoro Midel and Mariano Arquiza.^[18]

American period []

During the American colonial period, Zamboanga hosted a number of American regional governors, including General John J. Pershing, who was military commander/governor of the Moro Province from 1909 to 1914. The entire Moro Province of Mindanao was administered directly from the city, effectively making Zamboanga Mindanao's first and only capital city. Soon after the establishment of the Commonwealth, it established itself the center of commerce, trade, and government of Mindanao Island as the capital of the Moro Province.^[19]

Zamboanga became a chartered city in the year 1936.^[20] In Pre-World War II, Pettit Barracks, a part of the US Army's 43d Infantry Regiment (PS), was stationed there.

World War II []

When the Japanese invaded the Philippines, they were headed by Vice Admiral Skugiyama Rokuzo, accompanied by Rear Admiral Naosaburo Irifune. The Japanese landed at Zamboanga on March 2, 1942.^[21] They established a defense headquarters in the city and controlled the government for over two years. The Japanese government in the city was eventually overthrown by American and Filipino forces in 1945.^[18]

Post-World War II []

In 1990, Zamboanga City was declared as the commercial and industrial center of the Western Mindanao region (now Zamboanga Peninsula).^[22]

Geography []

Geology []

The southwest and eastern sides of Zamboanga are bounded by irregular coastlines with generally rocky terrain and occasional stretches of sandy or gravely beaches. The coastal profile usually descends abruptly towards the sea. Where rivers enter the sea, bays have formed, and the surrounding area has filled up with alluvial soils, producing small to large coastal plains.

It has been observed that younger rock formations frequently occur at higher elevations. Areas along the northeastern coast, which were mostly part of the lower alluvial lowlands, and small low lying areas, are characterised by the presence of cold water sediments. These are subjected to the daily inundation of tidal movement. The formation of basement complex along the boundaries of Zamboanga del Norte is influenced by the north-south trending fault. In addition, a young volcanic cone influences the formation of volcanic outcroppings in the area.

Topography, Slope and Elevation []

The overall topography of the city could be described as rolling to very steep. There are some flat lands, mostly narrow strips along the east coast. The urban center is mostly flat with a gentle slope to the interior, ranging from 0 to 3%. The highest registered elevation is 1,200 metres. In terms of slope, a large portion of Zamboanga, about 38,000 hectares, have slopes ranging from 18–30%. Another 26,000 hectares have been described as having slopes pf less than 3% while about 37% of the area or a total of 52,000 hectares have slopes ranging from 30% to more than 50%.^[23]

Climate and temperature []

Zamboanga features a tropical wet and dry climate under the Köppen climate classification.

Climate data for Zamboanga, Philippines
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	31.9 (89.4)	32.0 (89.6)	32.3 (90.1)	32.6 (90.7)	32.4 (90.3)	31.7 (89.1)	31.4 (88.5)	31.7 (89.1)	31.8 (89.2)	31.8 (89.2)	31.7 (89.1)	32.1 (89.8)	31.95 (89.51)
Daily mean °C (°F)	27.2 (81)	27.3 (81.1)	27.7 (81.9)	28.0 (82.4)	28.1 (82.6)	27.7 (81.9)	27.4 (81.3)	27.5 (81.5)	27.6 (81.7)	27.5 (81.5)	27.5 (81.5)	27.4 (81.3)	27.58 (81.64)
Average low °C (°F)	22.4 (72.3)	22.5 (72.5)	23.2 (73.8)	23.4 (74.1)	23.9 (75)	23.6 (74.5)	23.3 (73.9)	23.4 (74.1)	23.3 (73.9)	23.2 (73.8)	23.3 (73.9)	22.7 (72.9)	23.18 (73.72)
Precipitation mm (inches)	32.4 (1.276)	45.6 (1.795)	37.1 (1.461)	53.3 (2.098)	81.3 (3.201)	125.8 (4.953)	136.4 (5.37)	114.0 (4.488)	133.9 (5.272)	157.1 (6.185)	98.8 (3.89)	51.0 (2.008)	1,066.7 (41.997)
Source: Hong Kong Observatory[24]

Demographics []

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1898	19,844	—
1903	20,692	+4.3%
1918	42,007	+103.0%
1939	73,894	+75.9%
1948	103,317	+39.8%
1960	131,489	+27.3%
1970	199,901	+52.0%
1975	265,023	+32.6%
1980	343,722	+29.7%
1990	442,345	+28.7%
1995	511,139	+15.6%
2000	601,794	+17.7%
2007	774,407	+28.7%
2010	807,129	+4.2%
Source:[25]

Population []

The population of Zamboanga has registered an increase of 172,613 (an average annual growth rate of 3.54 percent) in seven years, latest data from the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed. The data released by the NSO regional office based in this city showed that from 601,794 in 2000, the population grew to 807,129 as of May 1, 2010.^[26]

Among the 98 barangays in this Zamboanga, Talon-Talon was the most populous with a 3.9-percent share of this city’s population. Next to Talon-Talon were Tetuán (3.8 percent), Baliwasan (3.6 percent), Pasonanca (3.5 percent), Calarian and Tumaga both with 3.3-percent share, and San José Gusu (3.2 percent).

Religion []

According to statistics compiled by the Philippine government, the most dominant religion in the city is Christianity with 73% of the population adhering to the faith. The majority of Christians are Roman Catholics with minorities of Protestants, Iglesia Ni Cristo, Jesus Miracle Crusade and Orthodox Christians. The remaining 27% percent belongs to other non-Christian faiths such as Islam and Buddhism.

Language []

Chavacano, a Spanish-based creole language, is widely spoken in the city. English, Tagalog, and Cebuano are also used by the residents.^[27]

Government []

Zamboanga is the third oldest city in the Philippines, with a mayor-council form of government.^[28] The city received its own representation for the Philippine Congress in 1984. The former lone congressional district was divided into two separate districts: the West Coast District from the City Proper to Limpapa represented by incumbent Congresswoman Beng Climaco, while in the East Coast District from Tetuán to Licomo is headed by incumbent Congressman Erico Basilio A. Fabián. The government is composed of a Mayor, Vice Mayor, two district representatives, and eight councilors in each district.^[29]

Congresswoman Beng Climaco of District I was elected House Deputy Speaker for Mindanao and Women of the 15th Congress of the Philippines.^[30]

House Bill 1455 entitled an “An Act Amending Sections 14 (J) and 29 of Batas Pambansa Blg. 129, Otherwise Known as The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980”, principally authored by Cong. Climaco calls for the creation of four (4) additional Regional Trial Court branches in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur, and the Cities of Pagadian and Zamboanga with an overall total of nineteen (19) branches.^[31]

Out of the 19 branches, ten (10) seats shall be for Zamboanga City, and the remaining seats for Pagadian City, Molave, San Miguel, Ipil, and Aurora.

The city of Zamboanga is composed of more than 774,407 people since 2007.^[32] Under the Republic Act No. 9269, Zamboanga City is qualified to have a third district representative in the House of Representatives of Congress.^[33]

Armed forces and law enforcement []

Zamboanga hosts one of the largest number of military and police bases in the country. The Edwin Andrews Air Base, which hosts the Air Force unit in the city is located at the Zamboanga International Airport complex. The Camp General Basilio Navarro, the main operating base of the Western Mindanao Command, hosts the main headquarters of Armed Forces of the Philippines in Western Mindanao.

Communication []

Media []

Zamboanga has 40 radio stations. There are also 11 regular TV stations and 3 cable TV stations. Several local publications are operating in the various parts of the city and nearby provinces and regions such as, The Daily Zamboanga Times, The Mindanao Examiner, Voz de Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula Journal, Zamboanga Star, Zamboanga Today, and Zamboanga Forum.

Telecommunication []

Major telecommunications firm, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, maintains operations in the city. Mabuhay Satellite Corporation has set up a facility in Zamboanga in order to improve existing communications infrastructure.^[34]

Transportation []

Land []

The city’s roads total to 567.2463 km. City roads account for 122.664 km, national roads 141.305 km, and barangay roads, 303.244 km.Nearly all of the city and barangay roads are concrete.

The primary modes of transportation within the city are serviced by jeepneys, tricycles, and habal-habal. Bicycles with sidecars (locally known as sikad) are also available for short-distanced trips. There are also taxi services operating within the city. Regular and air-conditioned buses of RTMI and Ceres Liner serve the long-haul routes from Zamboanga City to other areas in Mindanao and in the Visayas. Other smaller bus companies ply the routes to neighboring municipalities in the Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga Sibugay areas.

Sea []

Zamboanga has nineteen seaports and wharves, twelve of them are privately owned and the rest are owned by the government. This includes some ports of Basilan which are registered as a part of Zamboanga port management. The biggest and most modern seaport is the government-operated main port in Zamboanga, which can accommodate 20 ships at any given time. There are 25 shipping companies whose vessels regularly dock at the port of Zamboanga. The city also has fastcraft services to Sandakan, Malaysia, and one shipping cargo company from Vietnam is also serving the routes from and to Zamboanga to deliver goods from Vietnam.^[35]

In 2002, the Port of Zamboanga, including the area ports of Basilan, registered 5.57 million passenger movement, surpassing Batangas by 1.3 million passengers, and Manila by over 1.59 million passengers.^[36]

Last May 28, 2009, the PHP700 million port expansion project, funded by the national government was inaugurated by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.^[37]

Air []

The Zamboanga International Airport has a 2,610-metre primary runway and can serve international flights and bigger planes such as the C-17 Globemaster III, Antonov An-124, Airbus A330 and Boeing 747.^[38][39] The government has already earmarked more than 240 million pesos to complete the rehabilitation of the existing facilities of the airport.^[40] The airport was ranked the tenth busiest airport in the Philippines in 2008.^[41]

Infrastructure []

Power []

The Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative is the franchise holder of electric power distribution covering the entire city.

Conrado Alcantara and Sons (Conal) Holdings constructed a coal-fired power plant with an initial capacity of 100MW on a 60-hectare land inside the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority. The company expects to complete the power plant in about four years to meet the expected rise in the demand in electricity of the city by 2014.^[42]

Water []

The Zamboanga Watershed is only a few kilometers north of Zamboanga City, at the tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula in southwestern Mindanao. It has the largest block of old growth lowland dipterocarp forest remaining in this part of Mindanao. It has a rolling terrain with moderate to steep slopes. This watershed is the only source of potable water for Zamboanga, and the Guiwan River also provides industrial and irrigation water for the area around the city. Many threatened and restricted-range endemic species have been recorded in or near this area, including recent records of Mindanao Bleeding-heart, Philippine Dwarf-Kingfisher, Philippine Leafbird and Little Slaty Flycatcher, and Zamboanga Bulbul, which is confined to Western Mindanao and Basilan. Most of the recent sightings are made in the Pasonanca Watershed, the southwestern part of the Zamboanga Watershed.

Zamboanga relies heavily on surface water from the Tumaga River for its water supply. Currently, the ZCWD is servicing only 48% of the total population of the total water production, 38% is accounted water. Given the projected population and the fact that the city is a highly urbanising one, it is likely that future water requirements will not be satisfied unless other sources such as rivers and springs be tapped to augment water supply sources.^[43]

The Zamboanga Water District has 24 production wells. These are located in the following strategic areas within the city that are currently producing 1,304 m³ daily.^[44]

Bypass Road []

The traffic in the city centre area is one of the problem facing the city. The 1999 feasibility study is know on the Department of Public Works and Highways (Philippines) and with the help of District II Representative Erico Basilio Fabian to finalised the Multi-Billion pesos a thirty two (32) kilometres by-pass road project it is basically links from barangay Culianan to the west coast in barangay Limpapa creating an integral link to two crucial economic and trade centres namely the Sangali Fishing Port in the east coast and the Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority site in San Ramon will commerce next year. The Department of Public Works and Highways (Philippines) intends to complete before the term of the President Benigno Aquino III ends in the year 2016. It will provide for an auxiliary route where traffic could then be diverted and help ease congestion it is currently facing within the city proper.

Economy and industry []

Zamboanga's exports include rubber, pearls, copra, mahogany, fish, abaca, and fruits.

Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority []

The Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority (Zamboecozone) also known as Zamboanga Freeport Authority (ZFA), was created by virtue of the Republic Acts of the Philippines 7903 of the Philippines Constitution in the year 1995. It was authored by the then congresswoman and late mayor of the city of Zamboanga, María Clara L. Lobregat.^[45]

The Special Economic Zone was enacted into law on February 23, 1995 and made operational a year later with the appointment of a chairman and administrator and the members of the Board by former President Fidel V. Ramos. It is located about 20 km from the city center. It is one of the three current Economic Freeport Zones outside Luzon.

Shopping centers and malls []

Zamboanga City hosts a number of shopping centers, department stores, supermarkets, and other retail businesses.

Sports and recreation facilities []

Convention centers that host several events and congregations include the Garden Orchid Convention Centre, Marcian Convention Centre, Zamboanga City Colliseum in Tetuán, Zamboanga City Convention Centre, Astoria Regency in Pasonanca, and Patio Palmeras Convention Centres.

Sport venues in Zamboanga include the Joaquin F. Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex, the Summit Centre, and the Zamboanga City Coliseum.

Seaweed industry []

Seaweed production plants in Zamboanga, along with Cebú and Southern Luzon, produce most of the world's supply of carrageenan. Seventy-five percent of the country's eucheuma and kappaphycus seaweed is produced mostly in the Zamboanga peninsula and the Sulu archipelago.^[46]

Sardine industry []

Zamboanga is noted as the Sardines Capital of the Philippines^[47] because 8 out of 11 sardines companies in the country are operating in the city. The canning factories are converged in the west coast of Zamboanga. Sardine fishing and processing account for about 70 percent of the city's economy. Situated at the western tip of the Mindanao mainland, Zamboanga is a natural docking point for vessels traversing the rich fishing grounds of the Zamboanga peninsula and the Sulu archipelago. Zamboanga’s eight canneries, which employ around 15,000 workers, process 1,000 tonnes of sardines daily.

Canned sardine firms in this city that have upgraded their production to conform to international food safety and quality standards are looking to enter new markets in Russia and other European countries. In 2008, Zamboanga’s exported just 13,000 tonnes of canned sardines, worth approximately $16 million.^[48]

Education []

The formal education in Zamboanga is patterned after the American system, with English as the medium of instruction. Schools are classified into public (government) and private (non-government). Classes start in June, and end in March. The majority of colleges, and universities follow a semester calendar from June to October, and November to March. There are a number of foreign schools with study programmes.^[49] The general pattern of formal education follows by five stages:

• Pre-primary level – nursery and kindergarten offered in most private schools;
• Primary level – six years of basic education;
• Secondary level – four years of high school education;
• Tertiary level – usually takes four years, sometimes five and in some cases as in medical and law schools.

Universities and colleges []

Zamboanga hosts severals colleges and universities. Notable higher educational institutions in the city include the Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Ebenezer Bible College and Seminary, Pilar College, Universidad de Zamboanga, Claret School Of Zamboanga Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology. A bill proposing for the establishment of a Zamboanga campus for the University of the Philippines is currently pending in Congress.^[50]

Foreign relations []

Zamboanga is a member of East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), a regional economic cooperation initiative between the several countries in Southeast Asia. As a result of its membership, air and sea routes have been opened between Zamboanga and Sandakan in Malaysia. The two cities have existing trade relations and have had historical cultural interactions.^[51]

Health []

There are several medical centres and hospitals in Zamboanga. The Zamboanga City Medical Center is the largest medical facility in Zamboanga Peninsula in terms of bed capacity. The hospital was founded in 1918 as the Zamboanga General Hospital. The Brent Hospital and Colleges, Inc. was founded on February 2, 1914 by Charles Henry Brent, the first Protestant Episcopal missionary bishop in the Philippines. Today, it operates a school within its compound, offering nursing and allied health courses.

The Zamboanga City Red Cross chapter was established on June 17, 1946, known originally as Zamboanga Chapter. The original Zamboanga Chapter comprised the city of Zamboanga and the 3 provinces of Basilan, Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur.^[52]

In 2006, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) hospital ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH-19), anchored off of the coast of Zamboanga City, to provide of medical, dental and veterinary care for the people of the city.^[53]

Tourism []

The Department of Tourism has selected Zamboanga City as a flagship tourism destination in Zamboanga Peninsula.^[54] Domestic and foreign tourist arrivals increased 8 percent to 439,160 in 2005, according to data from the regional tourism office. The same report notes that Filipinos accounted for 80 percent of the tourist arrivals. Moreover, 50 percent of those tourists visited Zamboanga City before.^[55]

Parks, landmarks and other sites []

Numerous landmarks in Zamboanga include Fort Pilar, Great Santa Cruz Island, Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Pasonanca Park, Paseo del Mar, Pettit Barracks, and Zamboanga Golf and Country Club.

Festivals and events []

The Día de Zamboanga (Day of Zamboanga) is celebrated every February 26, the day when Zamboanga was declared as a chartered city under the Commonwealth Government in 1937. The Hermosa Festival, a month-long festival held every October, is celebrated in honor of the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of Zamboanga City.^[56]

Sister cities []

Zamboanga is twinned with the following cities:

• Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, Philippines
• Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
• Trece Mártires, Cavite
• Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain
• Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia
• Bengkulu City, Bengkulu, Indonesia

Gallery []

• 

  An Episcopal Church in Zamboanga

• 

  Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

• 

  Pasonanca Pool

• 

  Salahuddin Mosque

• 

  Zamboanga City Hall

• 

  Paseo del Mar

• 

  RT Lim Boulevard

• 

  Cruz Major overlooking the city and the Basilan Strait

• 

  Maria Clara Lobregat Monument

• 

  Maria Clara Lobregat Museum

• 

  Merloquet Falls

See also []

• Media of Zamboanga City
• Mindanao
• Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zamboanga
• Cagayan de Oro
• Davao City

References []

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "Zamboanga City".