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

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.

Geography

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Basilan is subdivided into 6 municipalities and 1 city. Isabela City is the only city and capital of Basilan. However, Isabela City is independent of the province and is actually part of the region of Zamboanga Peninsula. 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.

Municipalities

Lamitan Lantawan Maluso

Sumisip Tipo-Tipo Tuburan

History

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The island's early settlers were the Orang Dampuans, who were the ancestors of the Yakan. The legendary Datu Kalun maintained a stronghold in Lamitan town until the Spaniards crushed it in 1637. Jesuit missionaries arrived a few years later.

The Dutch attacked Basilan in 1747 but were repulsed by the natives. The French attempted to occupy the province in 1844, but they, too, failed. Soon thereafter, the Spaniards built a stone fort named after Queen Isabela II.

When the town of Zamboanga became a chartered city in 1936, it included Basilan. On July 1, 1948, Basilan itself became a separate city. The city was converted into a province on December 27, 1973.

Provinces of the Philippines

Basilan | Basilan | Basilan | バシラン州 | Basilan | Basilan | Basilan | Basilan