Mimaropa, officially stylized in all caps and also known as the Southwestern Tagalog Region, is an administrative region in the Philippines. It is one of two regions in the country that have no land border with another region.
Quick Summary:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Land Area (2013) | 296.06 km2 |
| Population as of 01 May 2020 | 3,228,558 |
| Regional Center | City of Calapan |
| Provinces of Region 4B | Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon |
| Highly urbanized city | Puerto Prinsesa |
| Consists of | 2 cities, 71 municipalities, and 1,460 barangays |
Geography
Mimaropa is grouped under the Luzon island group. The region covers 5 provinces, namely, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon, as well as 1 highly urbanized city. The regional center is the City of Calapan. The region has a total area of 29,620.90 km².
Also Read: List of Regions in the Philippines
Mimaropa Map
Demographics
As of the 2020 census, the region had a total population of 3,228,558. This represented 5.19% of the overall population of the Luzon island group or 2.96% of the entire population of the Philippines. Based on these figures, the population density is computed at 109 inhabitants per square kilometer or 282 inhabitants per square mile.
Administrative Divisions
Mimaropa Region has 5 provinces, 71 municipalities, and 2 cities (1 of which is a highly urbanized city administered independently from any province). The total number of barangays in the region is 1,460.
Region 4B Mimaropa Provinces
The region is composed of five provinces: Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon.
Marinduque
Marinduque, officially the Province of Marinduque, is an island province in the Philippines located in the Southwestern Tagalog Region or Mimaropa. Its capital is the municipality of Boac. The province is known for its rich and advanced culture, as evidenced by archaeological artifacts recovered by the National Museum. It is also a popular tourist destination, with several white sand beaches, diving spots, mountains, and rainforests.
Occidental Mindoro
Occidental Mindoro, officially the Province of Occidental Mindoro, is a province in the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. Its capital is Mamburao. The province is known for its awe-inspiring views of paddy fields and mountain ranges. With unspoiled white beaches, underwater paradise, and other captivating sights, the province is a promising hub for sustainable tourism4.
Oriental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro, officially the Province of Oriental Mindoro, is a province in the Philippines located on the island of Mindoro under the Mimaropa region in Luzon. Its capital is Calapan. The province is known for its bright blue waters that contrast against the karst stone cliffs of the island.
Palawan
Palawan, officially the Province of Palawan, is an archipelagic province of the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. Its capital and largest city is Puerto Princesa. Palawan is known as the Philippines’ Last Frontier and as the Philippines’ Best Island. It is also a popular resort destination in the Philippines.
Romblon
Romblon, officially the Province of Romblon, is an archipelagic province of the Philippines located in the Mimaropa region. Its main components include Romblon, Romblon, an archipelagic municipality of the same name that also serves as the provincial capital; Tablas, the largest island, covering nine municipalities; Sibuyan with its three towns; as well as the smaller island municipalities of Corcuera, Banton, Concepcion, San Jose. Romblon is known for its local marble industry and is the second biggest producer of the mineral in the country.
Each of these provinces offers unique cultural, historical, and natural attractions, making Mimaropa a diverse and vibrant region in the Philippines. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, or culture, there’s something for everyone in Mimaropa.
Economy
The region had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ₱382 billion or $7 billion in 2021. The region’s economy grew at a rate of 3.3%.
History
Mimaropa, together with Calabarzon, was officially created with the partitioning of Southern Tagalog (Region IV) into the two regions on May 17, 2002. The region was part of the now-defunct Southern Tagalog region until May 17, 2002. On July 17, 2016, Republic Act No. 10879 formally established the Southwestern Tagalog Region to be known as Mimaropa, discontinuing the Region IV-B designation.