Cagayan de Oro (abbreviated C.D.O.) is a premier city in Mindanao. It is the capital of the province of Misamis Oriental, Philippines and the regional center for Northern Mindanao (Region X). According to the 2000 census, it has an estimated population of 461,877 people in 200,000 households.The city has many names, it is called the Gateway to Northern Mindanao, the City of White Water Rafting and River Trekking. Recently it is promoted as the I.C.T. goldmine of the Philippines. But most of all, it is through its warm and hospitable people that the city got its name as "The City of Golden Friendship".
Geography
It is located at 8°29′N 124°39′E, in Mindanao. It is bordered by the province of Bukidnon to the east and south and by the municipality of Manticao, Misamis Oriental to the west. On the north lies Macajalar Bay in the Bohol Sea. The Cagayan River divides the city in the middle. The river is crossed by four bridges in the city. The city is surrounded by municipalites. It is located in the province of Misamis Oriental and Region X. Cagayan de Oro is outside the typhoon belt, but it is affected by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. The city is bordered by Opol, Tagoloan, and Bukidnon.
Accessibility
Cagayan de Oro, as the gateway to Northern Mindanao, is very accessible. From Manila, it is an hour and twenty-five minutes away by plane and from Cebu it is an hour and ten minutes. The Lumbia Airport caters daily flights to and from Manila and Cebu. Cagayan de Oro and Northern Mindanao will soon have the Laguindingan International Airport that will cater international flights to South Korea and other parts of the world. By sea, there are regular trips to Manila, Cebu, Tagbilaran, Jagna, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Iligan, and Iloilo. By land, there are regular bus trips to Gingoog, Davao, Butuan and Surigao in the CARAGA Region, Valencia and Malaybalay in Bukidnon, Iligan, Ozamiz, and other parts of Mindanao.
History
The area of present Cagayan de Oro has been occupied by indigenous people for approximately 41,114 years. The first inhabitants were the Higaunons, and later on, the Visayan groups.Two thousand years ago, there were already ancient Kagayanons living around the vicinity of the Huluga Caves. There were also ancient tools used by the ancient Kagayanons. When the Arab missionaries came, Kalambaguhan (or present Cagayan de Oro) was part of the sultanate of Tagoloan. Kalambaguhan was a small settlement of Bukidnons who lived along the riverbanks of Kalambaguhan River.During this time, Sultan Kudarat would raid these places. Datu Salangsang, their leader, led the Bukidnons to transfer to the hills of Huluga. In 1622, Fray Agustin de San Pedro went to see Datu Salangsang and to transfer to present day Gaston Park. The raids of the Maguindanao warriors were repulsed by Fray Agustin de San Pedro. |