Isabela City lies on the northern coastline of the island province of Basilan in the western part Mindanao. While it is the seat of the provincial government of Basilan which is under the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Isabela City is under Region 9 or Zamboanga Peninsula Region. Terrain is defined by a narrow coastal plain that gradually rises into rolling hills and mountains in the interior part of the city. The city is accessible only by sea transportation. Travelling by air is possible via Zamboanga City which is only one-hour away by boat and 30 minutes by fastcrafts.

Isabela City is composed of 45 barangays spread in a land area of 223.73 square kilometers. The people comes from different ethnic origins: Cebuanos, Chavacanos (Zamboanguenos), Ilonggos, Tagalog, Chinese, Yakans, Maranaos, and Tausugs. Majority of the population are Christians and the rest Muslims. Roman Catholics outnumber the members of other religions. On April 25 each year, the Cocowayan Festival is held to celebrate the city's anniversary.

Farming and fishing are the dominant economic activites in Isabela City. Coconut, rubber, rice, and corn are the primary products. The city is home to several rubber processing factories and rubber is the chief export product of the city.

Isabela City has the potential to become a growth center by improving the peace and order situation. Among the potential winners are

1. Cut flower
2. Rubber processing
3. Halal foods for export
4. seaweed processing - nearby Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are known seedweed producing provinces
5. Cold storage facilities especially for the fishing industry
6. Oleochemical products
7. Consumer goods such as processed foods, household products, and apparel
8. jewelry especially pearls
9. weaving

1. Cathedral of Sta. Isabel de Portugal
2. Kaumpumah Mosque
3. Malamawi Island - has white sand beaches
4. Cabunbata Falls

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