LOCATION : Butuan is situated in the northwestern part of the CARAGA Region 13 ,Northeastern part of the Agusan Valley sprawling accross the Agusan River. It is the seat of government and serves as the trading center of the region. It's strategic location makes it the natural gateway to the different parts of the country . It is the home of "Balanghai's" or "Butuan Boats", the famous pre-historic native boat in Southeast Asia. The place is one hour and 45 minutes from Manila and 55 minutes ride from Cebu by plane. By sea, the city is 36 hours and 12 hours from Manila and Cebu respectively.

HISTORY : As early as the 10th century, people from Butuan had already established trading relations with the Kingdom of Champa (now southern Vietnam).

By the 11th century, Butuan was the center of trade and commerce in the Philippines. The evidence to prove this fact is the discovery of 9 balangays (the Butuan Boat) and other archeological find in the vicinities of Butuan City, particularly in Ambangan, Libertad near the old El Rio de Butuan and Masao River.

Much controversy and debate have been generated with regard to the holding of the first mass. Whether it was held in Limasawa, Leyte or in Masao, Butuan City. It is sure, however, that Ferdinand Magellan did drop anchor by the mouth of Agusan River in 1521 and held mass to commemorate the event.

The first municipal election in Butuan took place on March 1902 in accordance with Public Law No. 82 which coincided with the American occupation of the place.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II, Butuan was razed to the ground when the guerilla forces attacked the enemy garrison during the middle of 1943. On October 20, 1948, still recovering from the war, the entire municipality was ruined by a fire.

TOPOGRAPHY : Butuan City has a land area of 816.62 km², which is roughly 4.1% of the total area of the Caraga region. With total population of 247,074, it has an average density of 303 persons per km², higher than the regional average density of 101 persons per km².

The existing land use of the city consists of the following uses: agriculture areas (397.23 km²), forestland (268 km²), grass/shrub/pasture land (61.14 km²) and other uses (90.242 km²). Of the total forestland, 105 km² is production forest areas while 167.5 km² is protection forest areas.