View source for Davao Region

{{Short description|Administrative region of the Philippines}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use Philippine English|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Davao Region
<!-- Basic info  -->| official_name      = 
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]

<!-- Skyline  -->| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 260
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
| image1                   = Davao_Skyline.jpg
| image2                   = Tagumcity_highway.jpg
| image3                   = Mount_Apo_Rainforest.jpg
| image4                   = Aliwagwag_Falls,_2018_01.jpg
| image5                   = Sleeping_Dinosaur.JPG
}}

'''Clockwise from the top''': Davao City aerial view, [[Mount Apo]], [[Pujada Bay]], [[Aliwagwag Protected Landscape]], [[Tagum]]

<!-- images and maps  -->| image_flag         = 
| flag_size          = 120x80px
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 100x80px
| image_map          = {{PH wikidata|image_map}}
| map_caption        = Location in the Philippines

<!-- Motto  -->| nickname           = ''Cacao Capital of the Philippines'' <ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2021/05may/20210527-RA-11547-RRD.pdf | title =  Republic Act No. 11547, AN ACT DECLARING THE CITY OF DAVAO AS THE CHOCOLATE CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE ENTIRE REGION X1 (DAVAO REGION) AS THE CACAO CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES | publisher = Official Gazette | accessdate = 27 May 2021 }}</ref>
| motto              = 
| anthem             = ''Pinanggang Yuta'' (Beloved Land)<br /><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|[[File:Pinanggang Yuta, Regional Anthem of Davao.ogg]]}}</div>
| coordinates        = {{Coord|region:PH-11_type:admin1st|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Philippines]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Island groups of the Philippines|Island group]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Mindanao]]

<!-- Smaller parts (e.g. boroughs of a city) and seat of government -->| seat_type          = Regional center<br/>{{nobold|and largest city}}
| seat               = [[Davao City]]

<!-- Politics -->| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = <!-- Area    -->
| area_total_km2     = 20,357.42
| area_footnotes     = <!-- Population   -->
| population_as_of   = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_total   = {{PH wikidata|population_total}}
| population_footnotes = {{PH wikidata|population_reference}}
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonyms = * Davaoan, Davaoeño (English)
* Dabawenyo, Dabawnon (Cebuano, Tagalog)

<!-- GDP --------------->
| demographics_type1 = GDP {{Nobold|(Nominal, 2024)}}
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = [[US$]]24.1&nbsp;billion<ref name="GDP">{{Cite web |title=2022 to 2024 Gross Regional Domestic Product|url=https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/pad/2024%20GRDP%20Publication.pdf |publisher=[[Philippine Statistics Authority]]}}</ref>
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = US$4,419<ref name="GDP" />

<!-- General information  -->| timezone           = [[Philippine Standard Time|PST]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| iso_code           = PH-11

<!-- Others -->| blank_name_sec1    = [[Provinces of the Philippines|Provinces]]
| blank_info_sec1    = {{Collapsible list
 | titlestyle               = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
 | title                    = 5
 | [[Davao de Oro]]
 | [[Davao del Norte]]
 | [[Davao del Sur]]
 | [[Davao Occidental]]
 | [[Davao Oriental]]
 }}
| blank1_name_sec1   = [[Cities of the Philippines|Independent cities]]
| blank1_info_sec1   = {{Collapsible list
 | titlestyle               = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
 | title                    = 1
 | [[Davao City]]
 }}
| blank2_name_sec1   = [[Cities of the Philippines|Component cities]]
| blank2_info_sec1   = {{Collapsible list
 | titlestyle               = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
 | title                    = 5
 | [[Digos]]
 | [[Mati, Davao Oriental|Mati]]
 | [[Panabo]]
 | [[Samal, Davao del Norte|Samal]]
 | [[Tagum]]
 }}
| blank3_name_sec1   = [[Municipalities of the Philippines|Municipalities]]
| blank3_info_sec1   = 43
| blank4_name_sec1   = [[Barangay]]s
| blank4_info_sec1   = 1162
| blank5_name_sec1   = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|Cong. districts]]
| blank5_info_sec1   = 11
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Languages of the Philippines|Languages]]
| blank_info_sec2    = {{hlist | item-style=white-space:nowrap; | [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]] | [[Mandaya language|Mandaya]] | [[Kalagan language|Kalagan]] | [[Giangan language|Giangan]] | [[Dibabawon language|Dibabawon]] | [[Tagabawa language|Tagabawa]] | [[Mansaka language|Mansaka]] | [[Sangirese language|Sangirese]] | [[Obo language|Obo]] | [[Sarangani language|Sarangani]] |  
[[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] | 
[[Filipino language|Filipino]] |
[[English language|English]]}}
| blank1_name_sec2   = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| blank1_info_sec2   = {{increase}} 0.697 ({{fontcolor|orange|Medium}})
| blank2_name_sec2   = HDI rank
| blank2_info_sec2   = [[List of Philippine provinces and regions by Human Development Index|10th in the Philippines]] (2019)
| website            = 
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Apo]]
| elevation_max_ft   = 9,692
| image_map1         = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250|zoom=8}}{{hidden end}}
}}

The '''Davao Region''' ({{langx|ceb|Rehiyon sa Dabaw}}; {{langx|fil|Rehiyon ng Davao}}), designated as '''Region XI''', is an [[Regions of the Philippines|administrative region]] in the Philippines.<ref>[http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listreg.asp List of Regions] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013150956/http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listreg.asp |date=October 13, 2008}}, [National Statistical Coordination Board].</ref> Formerly called '''Southern Mindanao''', it is situated in the southeastern portion of [[Mindanao]], enclosing the [[Davao Gulf]]. The region comprises five [[Provinces of the Philippines|provinces]]: [[Davao de Oro]], [[Davao del Norte]], [[Davao del Sur]], [[Davao Oriental]], and [[Davao Occidental]]. [[Davao City]] is the region's sole highly urbanized city, as well as its regional center.

==Etymology==
The region's name is derived from its [[Bagobo]] origins, who are indigenous to the area. The word ''davao'' came from the phonetic blending of three [[Lumad peoples|Bagobo]] subgroups' names for the [[Davao River]], a major waterway emptying into [[Davao Gulf]] near the city. The Obos, who inhabit the hinterlands of the region, called the river ''Davah'' (with a gentle vowel ending, although later pronunciation is with a hard ''v'' or ''b''); the Clatta (or Giangan/Diangan) called it ''Dawaw'', and the Tagabawas called it ''Dabo''. To the Obos, ''davah'' also means "a place beyond the high grounds" (alluding to settlements at the mouth of the river surrounded by high, rolling hills).<ref>{{cite web|last1=|first1=|date=|title=History: Know Davao City|url=https://www.davaocity.gov.ph/know-davao-city/history/|access-date=January 18, 2021|website=The Official Website of the City Government of Davao|publisher=The City Government of Davao}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Medina|first1=Marielle|last2=de Villa|first2=Kathleen|date=March 23, 2019|title=Dynamic Davao City on the rise|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|url=https://business.inquirer.net/267257/dynamic-davao-city-on-the-rise|access-date=January 18, 2021}}</ref>

==History==
The history of the region dates back to the times when various tribes occupied the region. It is believed that the [[Lumad peoples#Manobo|Manobos]], [[Lumad peoples#Mandaya|Mandayas]], [[Kalagan people|Kalagans]], [[Lumad peoples#Mansaka|Mansakas]], and Bagobos occupied the area. These are the same tribes that created the small settlements and communities that eventually became Mindanao.

===Maguindanao era===
The Davao Region was once part of [[Sultanate of Maguindanao]] and was called "Pinagurasan" by the [[Maguindanao people|Maguindanaons]]. Early settlers of the region were [[Maguindanao people|Maguindanaons]] and the [[Tausug people|Tausugs]] under the [[Sulu Sultanate|Sultanate of Sulu]]. [[Datu Bago]] was one of the Datus in Davao Gulf who resisted the [[Spanish Empire]] colonization on the region.

===First European contact===
The [[Davao Gulf]] area was the first region in the country that was in contact with the Europeans, with such contacts taking place as early as 16th century. The Portuguese preceded the Spaniards, who were the ones to colonize the region albeit much later, in sighting and visiting the region. In 1512, Francisco Serrano was shipwrecked in the shallow waters and coral reefs of Cape of San Agustín, located in what is now the province of Davao Oriental. In 1538, Francisco de Castro, a Portuguese ship captain, was driven by strong winds to the southeastern coast of Mindanao. He baptized several chieftains in the area.

Around January 1546, [[Francis Xavier]], a [[Jesuit]] priest, left Malacca and went to [[Mollucas|Molucca Islands]], then called the Spice Islands, where the Portuguese had some settlements, and for a year and a half he preached the Gospel to the inhabitants of Amboyna, Ternate, Baranura, and other lesser islands. It is claimed by some{{who|date=March 2020}} that during this expedition he landed on the island of Mindanao, which is confirmed by some writers{{who|date=March 2020}} of the seventeenth century, and in the Bull of canonization issued in 1623. It is also said that he is the one to have preached the Gospel in Mindanao.

===Spanish administration===
For centuries the tribes lived in relative peace until the Spanish, under the adventurous [[Spanish people|Spanish]] businessman Don Jose Oyanguren, arrived in the region in 1847. At that time, the Kalagan Moro chieftain Datu Bago was in control of the area in what is now Davao City. Don Oyanguren attempted to conquer the area which Datu Bago ruled; although he failed at first, the Moro chieftain eventually evacuated his people to live in the areas near [[Mount Apo]]. This is the time the town of [[Davao City|Davao]], then called Nueva Vergara by the Spaniards, was established in the year 1848.

Don Oyanguren attempted to develop the region. Although the Spanish gained the upper hand when they finally controlled the ports of the region, the population of Davao grew very slowly until the arrival of [[Jesuits|Christian missionaries]] in the area in 1890. Unlike the major parts of [[Luzon]], [[Visayas]] and other coastal parts of [[Mindanao]], Spanish rule in Davao lasted only for 50 years, abandoning it in 1898 when the Philippines became independent from Spain, making it among the shortest-lived areas controlled by Spain.

===American administration===
After the [[Spanish–American War]] in 1898, [[Spanish East Indies#Colonial government|Spanish rule in the region]] ended. Americans then landed in the region and they subsequently developed the regions communications and transportation systems. During this period, private farm ownership grew in the region. [[Japanese people|Japanese]] migration in the region began as two Japanese entrepreneurs, [[Kyosaburo Ohta]] and [[Yoshizo Furukawa]], were finding better agricultural lands for building [[abaca]] and [[coconut]] plantations in the region. The [[Port of Davao]] was opened on 1900, becoming the first Philippine international port to be established in the south.

In 1903 until 1914, the region was one of the districts of the former [[Moro Province]] in Mindanao. After 1914, the province was replaced by an American colonial agency called [[Department of Mindanao and Sulu]], which spanned the entire Mindanao island except Lanao. The agency lasted from 1914 to 1920.

====Wartime Japanese occupation====
In 1942, during [[World War II]], as the [[Japanese occupation of the Philippines]] began, the region was one of the first among the Philippine regions to be subjected by Japanese occupation. The Japanese immigrants in Davao acted as a [[fifth column]], welcoming the Japanese invaders during World War II. These Japanese were hated by the Moro Muslims and disliked by the Chinese.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sDRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R4kNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2656,1332631&hl=en Curtis 1942], p. 4.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sDRlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=R4kNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2656,1332631&hl=en CURTIS 1942], p. 4.</ref> The Moros were judged as [[Moros during World War II|"fully capable of dealing with Japanese fifth columnists and invaders alike."]]<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oJRRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LWoDAAAAIBAJ&pg=2732,2587117&hl=en "80 Japanese Troop Ships Are Sighted Off Luzon" 1941], p. 7.</ref> The Moros were to fight the Japanese invaders when they landed at Davao on Mindanao.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=i1xFAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ELwMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4603,5384970&hl=en AP 1941], p. 1.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ruEcAAAAIBAJ&sjid=h2QEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3633,7246655&hl=en "SITUATION AT DAVAO OBSCURE AS JAPS LAND" 1941], p. 2.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2P0oAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C9UEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3421,2464690&hl=en "THE JAPS SWARM AT DAVAO BUT THE SITUATION OBSCURE" 1941], p. 3.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GnNHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=af4MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5937,4816594&hl=en "Six Japanese Bombers In New Raid On Manila" 1941], p. 13.</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1941/12/22/archives/outrages-cause-anger-flotilla-is-sighted-off-luzons-coast.html THE NEW YORK TIMES 1941], p. 1.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=luBRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zoQMAAAAIBAJ&pg=6067,2425479&hl=en "Large Force Is Attacking" 1941], p. 58.</ref> The Japanese went back to their ships at night to sleep since the Moros struck so much fear into them, even though the Moros were outnumbered by the Japanese.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VXgtAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3JgFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2500,438255&hl=en LEE 1942], p. 8.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3O4qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GokFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1693,3646589&hl=en LEE 1942], p. 1.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rNZeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BFMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1233,4394025&hl=en LEE 1942], p. 7.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=JZQpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-MYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3881,736181&hl=en LEE 1942], p. 9.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9N5eAAAAIBAJ&sjid=jlMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=6736,635472&hl=en Lee 1942], p. 2.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4e8uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wdsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3415,515356&hl=en Lee 1942], p. 25.</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dDIsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6MoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5177,2963057&hl=en Lee 1942], p. 4.</ref> The longest battle of the [[Philippines Campaign (1944–45)|Allied liberation campaign]], the [[Battle of Davao]], took place in 1945. After the war, the region eventually passed to the American hands again for at least almost one year before the formal Philippine independence on July 4, 1946, most of the Japanese living in the region were now integrated in the [[Filipino people|Filipino population]].

===Philippine administration===
====Davao province====
Prior to Philippine independence in 1946, the entire region was a single province called [[Davao (former province)|Davao Province]], with [[Davao City]] serving as its capital. The province was one of the largest provinces in the Philippines during that time, spanning more than {{convert|20,000|km2}}. It lasted from 1920 until 1967, when the province was split into three provinces in May 1967: [[Davao del Norte]], [[Davao del Sur]] and [[Davao Oriental]].<ref name="ChanRobles-RA4867">{{cite web|title=Republic Act No. 4867 - An Act Creating the Provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental|url=http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno4867.html|website=Chan Robles Virtual Law Library|access-date=March 29, 2016|date=May 8, 1967}}</ref> After the division, Davao City was officially named its regional center.

====Southern Mindanao and Davao Region====
Region XI, then known as ''Southern Mindanao'', originally covered 6 provinces ([[Davao de Oro|Compostela Valley]], [[Davao del Norte]], [[Davao del Sur]], [[Davao Oriental]], [[South Cotabato]] and [[Sarangani]]), and the cities of [[Davao City|Davao]], [[Digos]], [[Panabo]], [[Tagum]], [[Samal, Davao del Norte|Samal]], [[General Santos]] and [[Koronadal]].<ref name="NSCB-SouthernMindanao-Davao">{{cite news|title=Southern Mindanao Is Now All Davao Region|url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru11/statnews/2002/sn0204.htm|access-date=March 29, 2016|work=RDC XI Bulletin|issue=Oct-Dec 2001, Volume 7|publisher=National Statistical Coordination Board|date=January 29, 2002|quote=Southern Mindanao or Region XI is now known as Davao Region and {{sic|comprises |hide=y|of}} four provinces (Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental) and five cities (Davao, Digos, Panabo, Tagum and the Island Garden City of Samal. Said provinces and cities are situated along the Davao Gulf area. South Cotabato, Sarangani, General Santos City (Socsksargen) and Koronadal City, which were part of the old Region XI) have been transferred to Region XII.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102041734/http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru11/statnews/2002/sn0204.htm|archive-date=January 2, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Surigao del Sur]] was moved to the newly-created region [[Caraga]] on February 23, 1995.

In September 2001, ''Executive Order No. 36'' was enacted which reorganized the regions in Mindanao. {{nowrap|Region XI}}, then known as ''Southern Mindanao'', was renamed ''Davao Region'' and the provinces of South Cotabato and Sarangani, and the cities of General Santos and Koronadal were moved to {{nowrap|[[Soccsksargen|Region XII]]}}.<ref name="NSCB-SouthernMindanao-Davao" /><ref name="GovPH-EO36">{{cite web|title=Executive Order No. 36; Providing for the Reorganization of the Administrative Regions in Mindanao and for Other Purposes|url=https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/09/19/executive-order-no-36-s-2001/|website=Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines|access-date=March 29, 2016|location=Malacañang, Manila, Philippines|date=September 19, 2001|quote=SECTION 3. Region XI is hereby reorganized to be known as Davao Region and shall be composed of the following provinces and cities:  a. Provinces i. Compostela Valley ii. Davao del Norte iii. Davao del Sur iv. Davao Oriental b. Cities i. Davao City ii. Digos City iii. Panabo City iv. Island Garden City of Samal v. Tagum City|archive-date=December 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202131420/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2001/09/19/executive-order-no-36-s-2001/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 12, 2022, the Regional Peace and Order Council declared the entire region "insurgency-free" after decades of being a stronghold for the [[Communist insurgency in the Philippines|communist insurgency]], barring some scattered members of the [[New People's Army]] that are left in the region.<ref>{{cite news|last=Zuasola|first=Ferdinand|title=Peace and order council declares Davao Region insurgency-free|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/mindanao/peace-council-declares-davao-region-insurgency-free/|access-date=November 7, 2022 |work=[[Rappler]]|publisher=Rappler Inc.|date=October 13, 2022|location=[[Davao Oriental]], Philippines}}</ref>

==Administrative divisions==
{{stack|float=right|[[File:Ph davao region.png|thumb|right|Map of Region XI]]}}

===Provinces===
Davao Region is subdivided into five [[Provinces of the Philippines|provinces]], 1 [[Philippine city#City classification|''highly urbanized'' city]], five ''component'' cities, 43 [[Municipalities of the Philippines|municipalities]], and 1,162 [[barangay]]s.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:auto;background-color:#FDFDFD;text-align:center;font-size:90%;border:1pt solid grey;"
|-
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" colspan=2 class="unsortable" | Province {{font|{{small|or}} {{abbr|''HUC''|Highly urbanized city; administered independently from any province}}|css=font-weight:normal}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | Capital
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;white-space:nowrap;" class="unsortable" colspan=2 | Population {{small|(2020)}}{{PH census|2020}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" colspan=2 | Area<ref name=nscbprov>{{cite web |title=List of Provinces |url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listprov.asp |work=PSGC Interactive |publisher=National Statistical Coordination Board |access-date=April 15, 2014 |location=Makati City, Philippines |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130111015112/http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listprov.asp |archive-date=January 11, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="PSA-CitiesList">{{cite web|title=PSGC Interactive; List of Cities |url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listcity.asp |website=Philippine Statistics Authority |access-date=March 29, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429190752/http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/listcity.asp |archive-date=April 29, 2011 }}</ref>
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" colspan=2 | Density
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | Cities
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Muni.|Municipalities}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Barangay|Barangays}}
|-
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" colspan=2 |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" colspan=2 |
! scope="col" style="border-style:none none solid solid;" | km<sup>2</sup>
! scope="col" style="border-style:none solid solid none;white-space:nowrap;" class="unsortable" | sq mi
! scope="col" style="border-style:none none solid solid;" | /km<sup>2</sup>
! scope="col" style="border-style:none solid solid none;white-space:nowrap;" class="unsortable" | /sq mi
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Davao de Oro]]
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Nabunturan]]
| {{percent and number|767547|5243536|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| {{convert|4,479.77|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|767547/4479.77|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 0
| 11
| 237
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Davao del Norte]]
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Tagum]]
| {{percent and number|1125057|5243536|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| {{convert|3,426.97|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|1125057/3,426.97|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 3
| 8
| 223
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Davao del Sur]]
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Digos|Digos City]]
| {{percent and number|632588|4893318|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| {{convert|2,163.98|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|632588/2,163.98|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1 <!-- excluding Davao City -->
| 9
| 232
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Davao Occidental]]
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Malita, Davao Occidental|Malita]]
| {{percent and number|317159|5243536|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| {{convert|2,163.45|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}<ref name="PSA-DavaoOccidentalTowns">{{cite web|title=Province: Davao Occidental|url=http://www.nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/province.asp?provCode=118600000&provName=DAVAO%20OCCIDENTAL&regCode=11&regName=REGION%20XI%20%28Davao%20Region%29|website=[[Philippine Statistics Authority]]|access-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316013027/http://nscb.gov.ph/activestats/psgc/province.asp?provCode=118600000&provName=DAVAO%20OCCIDENTAL&regCode=11&regName=REGION%20XI%20(Davao%20Region)|archive-date=March 16, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><!-- sum of component towns' land areas -->
| {{convert|{{sigfig|317159/2,163.45|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 0
| 5
| 105
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" colspan=2 | [[Davao Oriental]]
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Mati, Davao Oriental|Mati]]
| {{percent and number|576343|5243536|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| {{convert|5,679.64|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|576343/5,679.64|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1
| 10
| 183
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;border-right:0;font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;" | [[Davao City]]
| style="text-align:right;border-left:0;" | †
| —
| {{percent and number|1776949|5243536|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| {{convert|2,443.61|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|1776949/2,443.61|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| —
| —
| [[Barangays of Davao City|182]]
|-class="sortbottom"
! scope="row" colspan=4 style="text-align:left;" | Total
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | 5,243,536
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | 20,433.38
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|20,433.38|km2|disp=number|2}}
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | {{sigfig|5243536/20,433.38|2}}
! scope="col" style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|{{sigfig|4893318/20,433.38|2}}|PD/km2|disp=number}}
! scope="col" | 6
! scope="col" | 43
! scope="col" | 1,162
|-class="sortbottom" style="text-align:left;background-color:#F2F2F2;border-top:double grey;"
| colspan=13 style="padding-left:1em;" |
{{Color box|#FDFDFD|†|border=darkgray}} [[Davao City]] is a ''highly urbanized city''; figures are excluded from [[Davao del Sur]].
|}

====Governors and vice governors====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!width=140 |Province
!width=150 |Image
!width=235 |Governor
!width=120 colspan=2 |Political Partymed Office
!width=150 |Vice Governor
|-
|{{center|[[File: Davao de Oro Official Seal.png|75px]]}}{{center|[[Davao de Oro]]}}
|align=center |
|Raul G. Mabanglo 
| {{party name with colour|Independent}}
|Dorothy M. Gonzaga 
|-
|{{center|}}{{center|[[Davao del Norte]]}} 
|align=center |[[File:Gov Edwin.png|138x138px]]
|[[Edwin Jubahib]]
| {{party name with colour|Partido Federal ng Pilipinas}}
|Clarice T. Jubahib
|-
|{{center|}}{{center|[[Davao del Sur]]}}
|align=center |[[File:Gov Cagas.png|138x138px]]
|Yvonne Roña Cagas
| {{party name with colour|Nacionalista Party}} 
|[[Marc Douglas Cagas IV|Marc Douglas C. Cagas IV]] 
|-
|{{center|}}{{center|[[Davao Occidental]]}}
|align=center |[[File:Gov Bautista.png|138x138px]]
|[[Franklin Bautista]]
| {{party name with colour|Lakas-CMD}}
|Lorna Bautista-Bandigan
|-
|{{center|[[File: Official Seal of Davao Oriental.svg|75px]]}}{{center|[[Davao Oriental]]}}
|align=center |
|Nelson L. Dayanghirang 
| {{party name with colour|Nacionalista Party}}
|Ma. Glenda Monette R. Gayta 
|}

===Cities===
{{unbulleted list
| {{Color box|#BFF5FF|†|border=darkgray}} {{font|Regional center|size=90%}}
}}

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="text-align:center;background-color:#FDFDFD;font-size:90%;"
|-
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | City
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | Population {{small|(2020)}}{{PH census|2020}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" colspan=2 | Area<ref name="PSA-CitiesList" />
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" colspan=2 | Density
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | Founding year
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | City class
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | Income class
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | Province
|-
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden hidden solid solid;" | km<sup>2</sup>
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden solid solid hidden;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|sq mi}}
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden hidden solid solid;" | /km<sup>2</sup>
! scope="col" style="border-style:hidden solid solid hidden;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|/sq mi}}
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:#BFF5FF;border-right:0;" |† [[Davao City]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 1,776,949
| {{convert|2,443.61|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|1776949/2443.61|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1848 (cityhood: 1936)
| Highly urbanized city
| 1st
| [[Davao del Sur]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" | [[Digos]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 188,376
| {{convert|287.10|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|188376/287.10|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1949 (cityhood: 2000)
| rowspan="5"| Component
| 1st
| [[Davao del Sur]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" | [[Mati, Davao Oriental|Mati]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 147,547
| {{convert|588.63|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|147547/588.63|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1861 (cityhood: 2007)
| 5th
| [[Davao Oriental]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" | [[Panabo]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 209,230
| {{convert|251.23|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|209230/251.23|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1949 (cityhood: 2001)
| 3rd
| [[Davao del Norte]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" | [[Samal, Davao del Norte|Samal]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 116,771
| {{convert|301.30|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|116771/301.30|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1948 (cityhood: 1998)
| 4th
| [[Davao del Norte]]
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:left;background-color:initial;" | [[Tagum]]
| style="text-align:right;" | 296,202
| {{convert|195.80|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|296202/195.80|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| 1941 (cityhood: 1998)
| 1st
| [[Davao del Norte]]
|}

== Geography ==
The region is bounded on the north by [[Caraga]], the province of [[Bukidnon]] in [[Northern Mindanao]] on the  northwest, [[Soccsksargen]] on the west, [[Pacific Ocean]] ([[Philippine Sea]]) on the east, and on the south by the [[Celebes Sea]]. The region also shares a maritime border with [[North Sulawesi]] province of [[Indonesia]].

=== Climate ===
The region has a generally uniform distribution of rainfall through the year. It lies outside the typhoon belt.

== Demographics ==
{{See also|Davaoeño people|List of people from Davao}}
{{Philippine Census
| cols = 2
| align= right
| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}
| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}
| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}
| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}
| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}
| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}
| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}
| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}
| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}
| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}
| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}
| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}
| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}
| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}
| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}
| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}
| 2024 = {{PH census population|2024}}
| 2030 = 
| footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2020}}{{PH census|2015}}<ref name=NSO>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/pressrelease/Population%20and%20Annual%20Growth%20Rates%20for%20The%20Philippines%20and%20Its%20Regions%2C%20Provinces%2C%20and%20Highly%20Urbanized%20Cities%20Based%20on%201990%2C%202000%2C%20and%202010%20Censuses.pdf |title=Population and Annual Growth Rates for The Philippines and Its Regions, Provinces, and Highly Urbanized Cities |work=2010 Census and Housing Population |publisher=Philippine Statistics Authority |access-date=August 12, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928012059/http://www.census.gov.ph/sites/default/files/attachments/hsd/pressrelease/Population%20and%20Annual%20Growth%20Rates%20for%20The%20Philippines%20and%20Its%20Regions%2C%20Provinces%2C%20and%20Highly%20Urbanized%20Cities%20Based%20on%201990%2C%202000%2C%20and%202010%20Censuses.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2013 }}</ref>
}}

Davao Region is the most populous region in Mindanao and the 7th most populous in the country, with a total of 5,243,536 inhabitants in 2020. Davao City, its regional capital, is also the largest city in Mindanao, with an area of 2,444&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>, the largest in the country and one of the largest in the world, and has 1,632,991 inhabitants in 2015, making it the third most populous city in the country and the most populous city proper in the entire [[Visayas]]-Mindanao region. [[Metro Davao|Davao Metropolitan Area]], the primary economic and urban build-up area in the region, is also the most populous in the island and the third most populous in the country, with about 2,274,913 inhabitants in that year.

Most of the region's inhabitants speak [[Cebuano language|Cebuano]]. are also spoken and widely used in schools, businesses, commerce, and industry. In the Davao City Metro Area, a linguistic phenomenon has developed whereby locals have either [[language shift|shifted]] to Filipino or significantly mix Filipino terms and grammar into their Cebuano speech. Minority indigenous groups of the region speak their own languages as well.

[[Chinese Filipino|Chinese]] immigrants are widespread in the region, with a considerable population based in [[Davao City]]. [[Davao Chinatown]] is one of the two defined Chinatowns in the Philippines, alongside [[Binondo]] in Manila. A considerable population of [[Japanese in the Philippines|Japanese]] are also found in the region, most of them also located in Davao City. Before World War II, Davao was and still is heavily populated by Japanese immigrants and their descendants, with Davao City being touted at one point in its history as the [[Japantown|Little Tokyo]] of the Philippines.

===Religion===
The majority of the region's population are [[Christianity|Christians]], mostly [[Roman Catholic|Catholics]] ({{percentage|3828290|5223802|2}}); and there are also [[Islam|Muslims]] (3.55%), [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] ({{percentage|1355|5223802|2}}), and [[Shinto]]ists living in the region.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Religious Affiliation in the Philippines (2020 Census of Population and Housing) {{!}} Philippine Statistics Authority {{!}} Republic of the Philippines |url=https://psa.gov.ph/content/religious-affiliation-philippines-2020-census-population-and-housing |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=psa.gov.ph}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{stack|float=left|{{PH poverty incidence}}}}
[[File:Davao Skyline.jpg|thumb|right|A view of Davao City as seen in July 2018]]

While the region's economy is predominantly agri-based, it is now developing into a center for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism. Its competitive advantage is in agri-industry as its products, papayas, mangoes, bananas, pineapples, fresh asparagus, flowers, and fish products are exported internationally. The region can be a vital link to markets in other parts of Mindanao, [[Brunei|Brunei Darussalam]] and parts of [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]]. There is also a growing call center sector in the region, mostly centered in [[Davao City]].

There is a gradual shift to industrialization as shown with industry's growth rate of 8.1% in 1996. Other economic activities are mining, fishery, forestry and agriculture. Due to the region's rise as the main commercial and industrial hub of Mindanao, many of its workers are oriented to urban services such as putting small-scale businesses and working in commercial industries in thriving urban areas like [[Davao City|Davao]], [[Tagum]], and [[Digos]]. Both private and foreign investors and businessmen are putting up huge business centers in the region, fueling up its commercial growth rate.

The region is also venturing to online business like [[outsourcing]].

===Ports and airport===
The region's principal ports are the Sasa International Seaport in Sasa and Santa Ana Pier in the Chinatown District, both in Davao City; Panabo Seaport in Davao del Norte; and Mati Seaport in Davao Oriental. The former two, both of which are located in [[Port of Davao]] in Davao City, can service both interisland and international shipments. Sasa International Container Port, also located in the Port of Davao, is the busiest in Mindanao.

The international airport in Davao City, [[Francisco Bangoy International Airport]], is the largest and most developed in Mindanao, has the first longest runway in the island, and the third busiest in the country, after [[Ninoy Aquino International Airport]] and [[Mactan–Cebu International Airport]]. Being the only airport in the island that is currently catering for international destinations, it can handle both domestic and international flights, serving several domestic flights to [[Manila]], [[Cebu City|Cebu]], [[Bacolod]], [[Iloilo City|Iloilo]], [[Zamboanga City|Zamboanga]] and other major Philippine cities, and international flights to [[Doha]], [[Hong Kong]], [[Manado]], [[Quanzhou]], and [[Singapore]]. Its [[Air Traffic Control Tower|ATC Tower]] is the most advanced in the country.

The region is accessible by land, air and sea. The region has adequate communications facilities, reliable power, and an abundant water supply.

In December 2016, [[Rodrigo Duterte|President Duterte]] helped enter a contract with Chinese investors to create a new port in the region of Isla Verde in Davao.<ref>{{cite news|title=China uses island building skills to develop Duterte's backyard|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-12-20/china-uses-island-building-skills-to-develop-duterte-s-backyard|access-date=December 21, 2016|publisher=Bloomberg news|date=December 21, 2016}}</ref> This involves the creation of three [[artificial islands]] by a set of Chinese companies including CCCC Dredging Group Co. Ltd for $200 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=China's Island-Building Skills Lift Hopes in Duterte's Backyard|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/22fbcb4c-d48f-3ecf-880f-6966f01c1fb2/ss_china%26%2339%3Bs-island-building.html|access-date=December 21, 2016|publisher=Yahoo news|date=December 21, 2016|archive-date=December 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221164014/https://www.yahoo.com/news/m/22fbcb4c-d48f-3ecf-880f-6966f01c1fb2/ss_china%26|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

==Government==
===Legislators to the House of Representatives for Region 11===
{{see also|17th Congress of the Philippines}}

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center"
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | [[Davao de Oro]]
| [[Legislative districts of Davao de Oro#1st District|1st]]
| {{party color cell|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Maria Carmen Zamora]]
| | [[PDP–Laban]]
| 3
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[Legislative districts of Davao de Oro#2nd District|2nd]]
| {{party color cell|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Ruwel Peter Gonzaga]]
| [[PDP–Laban]]
| 1
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" rowspan=3 style="text-align:left;" | [[Davao City]]
| [[Legislative districts of Davao City#1st District|1st]]
| {{party color cell|National Unity Party (Philippines)}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Karlo Nograles]]
| [[National Unity Party (Philippines)|NUP]]
| 3
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[Legislative districts of Davao City#2nd District|2nd]]
| {{party color cell|Liberal Party (Philippines)}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Mylene Garcia-Albano]]
| [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal]]
| 3
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[Legislative districts of Davao City#3rd District|3rd]]
| {{party color cell|Nacionalista Party}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Alberto Ungab]]
| [[Nacionalista Party|Nacionalista]]/[[Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod|Hugpong]]
| 1
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | [[Davao del Norte]]
| [[Legislative districts of Davao del Norte#1st District|1st]]
| {{party color cell|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Pantaleon Alvarez]]
| [[PDP–Laban]]
| 1
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[Legislative districts of Davao del Norte#2nd District|2nd]]
| {{party color cell|Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Antonio Floirendo, Jr.]]
| [[PDP–Laban]]
| 1
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Davao del Sur]]
| [[Legislative district of Davao del Sur|Lone]]
| {{party color cell|Nacionalista Party}}
| style="text-align:left;" | Mercedes Cagas
| [[Nacionalista Party|Nacionalista]]
| 2
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;" 
| [[Davao Occidental]]
| [[Legislative district of Davao Occidental|Lone]]
| {{party color cell|Liberal Party (Philippines)}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Claude P. Bautista]]
| [[Liberal Party (Philippines)|Liberal]]
| 1
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
! scope="row" rowspan=2 style="text-align:left;" | [[Davao Oriental]]
| [[Legislative districts of Davao Oriental#1st District|1st]]
| {{party color cell|Nacionalista Party}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Corazon Malanyaon]]
| [[Nacionalista Party|Nacionalista]]
| 1
| Majority
|-style="vertical-align:top;"
| [[Legislative districts of Davao Oriental#2nd District|2nd]]
| {{party color cell|Lakas-CMD}}
| style="text-align:left;" | [[Joel Mayo Almario]]
| [[Lakas Kampi CMD|Lakas]]
| 1
| Majority
|}

===Provincial governors and city mayors===
* Davao de Oro: Gov. [[Dot-dot Gonzaga|Dorothy M. Gonzaga]] ([[Reporma]])
* Davao del Norte: Gov. Edwin I. Jubahib ([[PDP–Laban]])
* Davao del Sur: Gov. Douglas R. Cagas ([[Independent (politician)|Independent]])
* Davao Occidental: Gov. Franklyn P. Bautista ([[Hugpong ng Pagbabago]])
* Davao Oriental: Gov. Nelson L. Dayanghirang ([[Hugpong ng Pagbabago]])
* Davao City: Mayor [[Sebastian Duterte|Sebastian Z. Duterte]] ([[Hugpong ng Pagbabago]])

== Education ==
The government provides free education at the primary (grade school) and secondary (high school) levels. Some state-run universities in the region are the [[University of the Philippines Mindanao]] and the [[University of Southeastern Philippines]]. Private colleges / universities in Davao include [[Ateneo de Davao University]], [[Assumption College of Davao]], [[Holy Cross of Davao College]], '''[http://www.holychild.edu.ph Holy Child College of Davao]''', and [[University of the Immaculate Conception]]. The literacy rate of the country is 93.9%; Davao City has a literacy rate of 98.05%.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of people from the Davao Region}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{OSM relation}}

{{Geographic location
| title = Regions adjacent to Davao Region
| Centre = Davao Region
| North = [[Caraga]]
| Northwest = [[Northern Mindanao]]
| West = [[Soccsksargen]]
| East = ''[[Philippine Sea]]''
| South = ''[[Celebes Sea]], [[Davao Gulf]]''
}}
{{Davao Region}}
{{Regions of the Philippines}}

[[Category:Davao Region| ]]
[[Category:Regions of the Philippines]]