Basilan is an island province of the Philippines mostly located in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Its capital is Isabela City, which is administered as part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region. Basilan is located just off the southern coast of Zamboanga Peninsula. Basilan is the northernmost among the major islands of the Sulu Archipelago.

Isabela inhabitants include Christians and Muslims from tribal groups such as the Tausugs, Samal Bangingis, and Yakans. Tribal fishermen, farmers, small-store and market vendors favor the traditional native attire.

Basilan is seen as one of the strongholds of the Islamic separatist group, the Abu Sayyaf. This group kidnapped a group of tourists from Palawan and brought them to Basilan, including an American Christian missionary couple named Martin Burnham & Gracia Burnham.

Geography

Basilan is one of a system of 7,107 islands that make up the Philippine archipelago. Regionally, Basilan is part of the Sulu Archipelago between the Philippine island of Mindanao and Borneo which includes about 400 islands. The island chain is one of two partial land bridges to Borneo and is an important migration route for birds. Basilan Strait, about 17 miles at its narrowest point, separates Basilan Island from the mainland of Mindanao and the port city of Zamboanga.

Basilan is subdivided into ten municipalities and two cities. Isabela City, located on the northern shore of Basilan Island facing Zamboanga City, is a component city and capital of the province. Isabela City votes for provincial officials, shares its tax revenues with the province, and continues to be under the jurisdiction of Basilan for the administration of provincially-devolved services and functions. But for the administration of regional services, the city is part of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region despite the rest of Basilan being under the authority of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 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.

Economy

|9 |10,581 |- |Al-Barka |16 |17,189 |- |Hadji Mohammad Ajul |11 |14,540 |- |Hadji Muhtamad |10 |9,281 |- |--style="background:#ccccff" |Isabela City |45 |73,032 |- |Lamitan City |45 |58,709 |- |Lantawan |25 |18,206 |- |Maluso |20 |31,054 |- |Sumisip |41 |51,712 |- |Tipo-Tipo |11 |15,035 |- |Tuburan |10 |17,429 |- |Ungkaya Pukan |12 |16,060 |}

Administratively part of Zamboanga Peninsula region.

See Also

• 2007 Batasang Pambansa bombing
• Wahab Akbar Governor of Basilan (1998 to 2007)
• Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Notes

External links

• Official website of the provincial government of Basilan
• www.abs-cbnnews.com, Fire guts Lamitan City hall in Basilan