Located at the southwestern tip of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region, Zamboanga City is the gateway not only to the Region 9 but also to the provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi which all belong to the Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao. It has a total land area of 1,414.7 square kilometer, the third largest in the Philippines after Davao City and Puerto Princesa City. Its land area is larger than many provinces including the island province of Basilan and more than twice the size of Metro Manila or Singapore! Colorful Vintas are its trademark. They are used as sails especially during festivals and other special occasions.

In terms of population, Zamboanga City is the largest in Region 9 and the third largest in the Philippines outside Metro Manila (see comparison). Only the cities of Davao and Cebu are larger. Dubbed as Asia's Latin City, people of la ciudad de Zamboanga are mostly Chavacano-speakers. Chavacano is a mixture of Spanish and some Visayan dialects. Some of the notable cultural groups are the Tausugs, Yakans, Badjaos, Samas, and Subanens who have their own native tongues. Most of People are Roman Catholics. Some are protestants while others are Moslems.

The city celebrates the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in October. It features colorful street dancing, sports competition, and cultural presentations as well as beauty pageant.

• Shopper's Plaza
• Midtown Plaza mall
• Mindpro Citimall
• Zamboanga Golf and Sports Complex

The city, with its chavacano-speaking labor force, is an ideal place for business process outsourcing that caters to spanish-speaking customers. With many institutions for higher learning, potential for information technology is great. The city can put up an economic zone and sponsor trainings for web development, e-commerce, animation, graphic design, and software development.

Another area with enormous potential for development is the cutflower industry. After all, Zamboanga City is known as a city of flowers. Being typhoon-free, the city and its environs can produce enough volumes of exotic flowers and orchids for export. Rubber processing, too, is an area where the city has a distinct advantage - it is close to the many rubber plantations within Zamboanga Peninsula.

Tourism is underdeveloped. There is a need to market the city as a safe place for visitors.

• Halal foods for export
• seaweed processing - nearby Sulu and Tawi-Tawi are known seedweed producing provinces
• Oleochemical products
• Consumer goods such as processed foods, apparel
• jewelry especially pearls

1. Fort Pilar - built in 1635, this old fort enshrines the image of the Nuestra Senora del Pilar, the patron saint of the city. A branch of the National Museum has been opened here.
2. San Ramon Penal Farm - built during the Spanish times
3. Rio Hondo and Taluksangay villages where ethnic houses are built on stilts
4. Climaco Freedom Park - gravesite of the slain mayor
5. Pasonanca Park where you can find a treehouse
6. Lantaka Hotel - contains a centuries-old lantaka or Spanish Cannon in its terrace
7. Justice R. T. Lim Boulevard - a seaside street where one can view beautiful sunsets and enjoy nearby resorts
8. Sta. Cruz Island - has a good beach
9. Yakan Weaving Village
10. Plaza Pershing
11. Zamboanga City Cathedral

Zamboanga City Downtown (photo credits to zamboanga.net)

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