Marawi

Marawi مراوى
Component City
Islamic City of Marawi
Skyline of Marawi City
Official seal of Marawi Seal
Nickname(s): The Only Islamic City in the Philippines
{{#property:P242}} Map of Lanao del Sur with Marawi City highlighted
Marawi Location within the Philippines
Coordinates:
Country	[[{{#property:P17}}]]
Region	Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
Province	[[{{#property:P131}}]]
Legislative district	1st District of Lanao del Sur
Settled	1639
Incorporated	May 24, 1907
Cityhood	1940
Barangays	96
Government
• Type	City government
• Mayor	Sultan Fahad "Pre" Salic
Area
• Total	87.55 km2 (33.80 sq mi)
Elevation	700 m (2,300 ft)
Population (2010)
• Total	187,106
• Density	2,100/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
Time zone	PST (UTC+8)
ZIP code	{{#property:P281}}
Dialing code	{{#property:P473}}
Languages	Maranao, Cebuano, Filipino, Arabic, English
Income Classification	4th Class (2007)

Marawi, officially the Islamic City of Marawi (Filipino: Lungsod Islamiko ng Marawi, Arabic: مدينة مراوى الإسلامية‎‎) and often referred to as Marawi City, is the capital city of the province of Lanao del Sur on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. The people of Marawi are called the Maranaos and speak the Maranao language. They are named after Lake Lanao, which is called Meranau in the language, upon whose shores Marawi City lies. The city is also called the Summer Capital of the South because of its higher elevation and cooler climate, a nickname they share with Malaybalay City, Bukidnon who legally holds the title.

History

Marawi was founded as Dansalan in 1639 by the Spaniards led by Francisco Atienza who came from Iligan and were attempting to conquer the entire Lake Lanao area. However, it was abandoned later the same year when thousands of Maranao warriors invested the then-fortifying settlement, pressing the Spaniards hard and thus they returned to Iligan, having failed in their quest. The Spaniards only returned to the area when they began the conquest of the Sultanate of Maguindanao in late 19th century, only to be abandoned once again when the Americans came there in 1900. It served as the capital of the undivided Lanao province from 1907 to 1940. Dansalan in Meranaw is a place where ships berth - a port of entry.

According to the late well-known Meranaw scholar Dr. Mamitua Saber, Marawi City got its charter in 1940. The granting of a charter to the old Dansalan municipality was jointly conceived by the Philippine Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon and Assemblyman, later Senator, Tomas L. Cabili. The changing of the official name from Dansalan to Marawi was through Congressional amendment of the Charter in 1956 sponsored by Sen. Domocao Alonto. This is embodied by Republic Act No. 1552 dated June 16, 1956.

The renaming of the city as "Islamic City of Marawi" was proposed by Parliamentary Bill No. 261 in the defunct Batasang Pambansa, the former parliament of the Philippines during the Marcos regime, reportedly to attract funds from the Middle East.

Geography

Lake Lanao from Marawi

Marawi City has a total land area of 8,755 hectares (21,630 acres). It is located on the shores of Lake Lanao and straddles the area where the Agus River starts. It is bounded to the north by the municipalities of Kapai and Saguiaran; to the south by Lake Lanao; to the east by the municipalities of Bubong and Ditsaan-Ramain; and to the west by the municipalities of Marantao and Saguiaran.

Topography

Mountains, rolling hills, valleys and a large placid lake dominate the city's landscape. Angoyao Hills (Brgy. Sogod) served as natural viewpoint over the water of the Lake Lanao. Signal Hill (Brgy. Matampay), Arumpac Hill (Brgy. Saduc) and Mt. Mupo (Brgy. Guimba) are considered beautiful but mysterious. Mt. Mupo, located within the Sacred Mountain National Park, is known for its untouched trees and beautiful perfect cone.

Barangays

Marawi City is politically subdivided into 96 barangays.

3

Climate

Due to its high elevation, with the elevation along Lake Lanao at around 2,300 feet (700 m), Marawi's weather is cool (in tropical terms) and pleasant, distinguished by an even distribution of rainfall throughout the year.

Climate data for Marawi City, Philippines
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Average high °C (°F)	27.5 (81.5)	27.9 (82.2)	28.8 (83.8)	29.4 (84.9)	28.9 (84)	28.1 (82.6)	27.4 (81.3)	27.6 (81.7)	27.7 (81.9)	28.1 (82.6)	28.2 (82.8)	27.9 (82.2)	28.12 (82.63)
Average low °C (°F)	17.8 (64)	17.8 (64)	18.0 (64.4)	18.6 (65.5)	19.0 (66.2)	19.1 (66.4)	18.6 (65.5)	18.6 (65.5)	18.6 (65.5)	18.6 (65.5)	18.3 (64.9)	18.2 (64.8)	18.43 (65.18)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	158 (6.22)	133 (5.24)	135 (5.31)	176 (6.93)	299 (11.77)	357 (14.06)	270 (10.63)	238 (9.37)	327 (12.87)	272 (10.71)	226 (8.9)	200 (7.87)	2,791 (109.88)
Source: Climate-data.org

Demographics

Islamic Center in Brgy. Pangarungan, Marawi City

Population census of Marawi
Year	Pop.	±% p.a.
1990	91,901	—
1995	114,389	+4.19%
2000	131,090	+2.96%
2007	177,391	+4.26%
2010	187,106	+1.96%
Source: National Statistics Office

Language

Maranao or Meranaw is widely spoken in Marawi City, however, local inhabitants can also speak Filipino, Cebuano, English and Arabic .

Religion

Marawi City is predominantly Muslim city which accounts for 98% of the population. Sharia criminal law exists but without stoning, amputations or other harsh Islamic punishments as they are against the law of the Philippines. The distribution of alcoholic products and gambling is forbidden and women must cover their heads, though non-Muslims are exempted from this rule. Other than sharia law in personal matters, these laws are not applicable elsewhere in Lanao del Sur.

There is also minimal members of Iglesia ni Cristo in the city.

Economy

The economy of Marawi City is largely based on agriculture, trading and exporting. Most industries in the city are agriculture-oriented. They include rice and corn farming, hollow blocks manufacturing, goldsmithing, and saw milling. Small and cottage-size enterprises are engaged in garment making, mat and malong weaving, wood carving, brassware making, web development, and blacksmithing.

Apart from that, Marawi City is home to NPC - Agus 1 Hydro Electric Power Plant and the first of the six cascading Agus Hydro Power Plants.

Points of interest

• Views of Marawi City
• 

  Mindanao State University (MSU) campus in Marawi City

• 

  Students studying at the golf course of MSU

• 

  The Peace Park located at MSU

Name	Location	Description
Aga Khan Museum of Islamic Arts	Mindanao State University	Named in honor of Sultan Aga Khan who contributed to the realization of the museum. Historical development of the country is bank on the large space upon the conservation of cultural materials. It has huge, collection of indigenous art, displayed ethnic music tape recorded, the native folk dances from different regions of Mindanao, Sulu and Palawan, the native tools and weapons used by the Muslims and different artistic designs of houses are the main attractions of museum. Indigenous art and cultural material are being displayed.
Agus River	Saduc and Lilod, Marawi City	The swiftest river in the country is the outlet of Lake Lanao to Iligan Bay. Along the way is the cataract Maria Cristina Falls.
Bagang Beach	Caloocan, Marawi City	It is located 2 meters away from the commercial site of the city; filled rocks and boulders, trees in the lakeside that served benches and the latter as shades. Besides are floating woods, where the local residents take a bath and ablution. Ideal for picnics, nice place for boating and swimming because of its clear water.
Dansalan Junior College	Marawi City	Founded by the American Protestants after World War II. It served as the premiere secondary institution of the province and produced some of the best leaders of Lanao del Sur, among them the late Governor Mamintal Adiong, Initao Congressman Moner Lucman Madki, Surigao Mayor Samsodin Diamla, Lilod Bae a labi Potri Janemah Naga, Potri maamor of Matmpay Amerah Magoyag - Mutia and Sulutan sa Monay Ubaida Mutia, and the one of the Best Ustad/Asatid Arafat Cornell.
Kilometer Zero Point Marker	Marawi City	An important landmark in Lanao del Sur, from which all distances in Mindanao are measured, similar to the Kilometre zero marker at the Rizal Park in Manila.
Lake Lanao	All around Lanao Del Sur	Marawi is located in the rolling terrain commanding majestic view of the Lake Lanao. The largest lake in Mindanao and one of the deepest in the Philippines. It is one of the 15 ancient lakes of the world.
Mindanao State University	Marawi City	Marawi City draws the most number of visitors within Lanao del Sur in which the MSU is located. Founded in 1961, it serves as an educational institute and a center of social and cultural integration.
MSU Golf Course	Mindanao State University	A 9-hole course laid out on the gentle greenery of Mindanao State University.
Moncado Colony	Moncado, Cadingilan	Named in honor of Hilario Camino Moncado, a Filipino, leader, an organizer, author of books and lecturer of humanities. He graduated with honor at the age of nine at India College of Mystery and Psychics. Moncado monuments and wild animals monuments can be found here before the late Dr.Mahid Miraato Mutilan formerly Mayor of Islamic City of Marawi.
Sacred Mountain National Park	Brgys. Guimba and Papandayan	The 94-hectare (230-acre) national park and protected area was established on August 5, 1965 by Republic Act no. 4190. The park is dominated by Mount Mupo, a 900-foot (270 m) tall extinct volcanic cone. The park is ideal for birdwatching and mountain climbing to the summit that features a small pond.

Architecture

The feeling of the unique natural setting of the Maranaos in Marawi City is manifested by the presence of many large Torogans, an antique royal high-roofed houses with carvings designed by the Meranau, and Amai Sambitory old Buildings in Barrio Naga in front of Tuaka Laput, Marawi City.

Education

Marawi is home to the main campus of Mindanao State University, the biggest state university in Mindanao and next to University of the Philippines. Other institutions/colleges are well established in the city and are as follows:

• Mindanao State University - Lanao National College of Arts and Trade
• Jamiatu Muslim Mindanao
• Jamiatu Philippine Al-Islamia
• Mapandi Memorial College
• Jamiatu Marawi Al-Islamia Foundation
• Marawi Capitol College
• Philippine Muslim Teachers College
• Senator Ninoy Aquino College Foundation
• Lanao Islamic Paramedical College Foundation
• Al-Khwarizmi International College
• Marawi Islamic Computer College

Other notable secondary schools are:

• Mindanao State University - Science High School
• Mindanao State University - Integrated Laboratory School
• Mindanao State University - University Training Center
• Hadiyyah International School
• Dansalan Junior College
• Ibn Siena Integrated School
• Philippine Integrated School
• Al-Khwarizmi International College - Science Laboratory High School

TESDA is also stationed in Marawi City which caters to technical training of students for the province.

Sister Cities

Philippines	Malaybalay
	Baguio
	Iligan
	Zamboanga City
	Cotabato City
	Lamitan
	Butuan

See also

• List of renamed cities and municipalities in the Philippines

External links

• Marawi City Profile at the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Official Website
• Mindanao State University Official Website