Mindanao's economy

Mindanao is regarded as the "frontier" of the Philippines because of its vast undeveloped fertile land. It was not until 1939 advocated immigration that the population increased significantly. The main crops are corn, rice, Manila hemp, banana, pineapple, mango and coconut. Cotton, ramie (a fiber plant), coffee and cocoa are also planted. Logging also plays an important role. There are gold, nickel, iron and coal mines here. The chartered municipalities are Zamboanga, cotabato city, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Butuan. The population is about13.966 million (1990).