View source for Occidental Mindoro

{{Short description|Province in Mimaropa, Philippines}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2012}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Occidental Mindoro
| settlement_type    = {{PH wikidata|settlement_type}}
| image_skyline      = {{Photomontage 
| photo1a = Mount Iglit (Mounts Iglit - Baco National Park, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines) - panoramio (1).jpg
| photo2a = 
| photo2b = Sitio Mabuhay, Central, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro - panoramio.jpg
| photo3a = 
Camburay, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines - panoramio (1).jpg
| photo3b = 
San Roque, San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines - panoramio.jpg
| photo4a = Devils Mountain, San Jose, Mindoro 1.jpg
| size = 250
| spacing = 2
| color = transparent
| border = 0
}}
| image_caption      = (from top: left to right) [[Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park|Iglit-Baco National Park]], [[Occidental Mindoro Sports Complex]], [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|Sitio Mabuhay]], [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|Camburay]], [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San Roque]] and Devils Mountain in [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San Jose]].
| image_flag         = {{PH wikidata|image_flag}}
| flag_size          = 120x80px
| image_seal         = {{PH wikidata|image_seal}}
| seal_size          = 100x80px
| image_map          = {{PH wikidata|image_map}}
| map_caption        = Location in the Philippines
| image_map1         = {{hidden begin|title=OpenStreetMap|ta1=center}}{{Infobox mapframe|frame-width=250|zoom=8}}{{hidden end}}
| coordinates        = {{PH wikidata|coordinates}}
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{PH wikidata|country}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of the Philippines|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{PH wikidata|region}}
| established_title  = [[Date of establishment|Founded]]
| established_date   = November 15, 1950
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = {{PH wikidata|seat}}
| government_type    = {{PH wikidata|government_type}}
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = [[Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[Eduardo Gadiano]] ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
| leader_title1      = [[Vice Governor]]
| leader_name1       = Diana Apigo-Tayag ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
| leader_title2      = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines#Current composition|Representative]] <!--congressman-->
| leader_name2       = Leody F. Tarriela ([[Partido Federal ng Pilipinas|PFP]])
| leader_title3      = Legislature
| leader_name3       = [[Occidental Mindoro Provincial Board]]
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="nscblist">{{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=29 October 2012 |location=Makati City, Philippines}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = {{PH wikidata|area}}
| area_rank          = 11th out of 81
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_max_m    = 2,488
| elevation_max_point = [[Mount Baco]]
| population_footnotes = {{PH census|current|04B}}
| population_total   = {{PH wikidata|population_total}}
| population_as_of   = {{PH wikidata|population_as_of}}
| population_rank    = 58th out of 81
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_rank = 71st out of 81
| population_demonym = {{hlist|Mindoreño|Mindorense}}
| demographics_type1 = Divisions
| demographics1_title1 = [[Cities of the Philippines#Independent cities|Independent&nbsp;cities]]
| demographics1_info1 = 0
| demographics1_title2 = [[Cities of the Philippines|Component cities]]
| demographics1_info2 = 0
| demographics1_title3 = [[Municipalities of the Philippines|Municipalities]]
| demographics1_info3 = {{Collapsible list
| titlestyle              = font-weight:normal;text-align:left;background-color:WhiteSmoke;
| title                   = 11
 | {{PH wikidata|municipalities}}
}}
| demographics1_title4 = [[Barangay]]s
| demographics1_info4 = 164
| demographics1_title5 = [[House of Representatives of the Philippines|Districts]]
| demographics1_info5 = [[Legislative district of Occidental Mindoro]]
| timezone           = [[Philippine Standard Time|PHT]]
| utc_offset         = +8
| postal_code_type   = [[List of ZIP codes in the Philippines|ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = {{PH wikidata|postal_code}}
| area_code_type     = {{areacodestyle}}
| area_code          = {{PH wikidata|area_code}}
| iso_code           = {{PH wikidata|iso_code}}
| blank_name_sec1    = Spoken languages
| blank_info_sec1    = {{hlist | [[Tagalog Language|Tagalog]] | [[Mangyan language|Mangyan]] | [[English language|English]]}}
| website            = {{Official URL}}
| seat1              = [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San Jose]]
| seat1_type         = Largest Municipality
}}

'''Occidental Mindoro''' ({{langx|tl|Kanlurang Mindoro}}), officially the '''Province of Occidental Mindoro''' ({{langx|tl|Lalawigan ng Kanlurang Mindoro}} or ''Lalawigan ng Occidental Mindoro''), is a [[Provinces of the Philippines|province]] in the [[Philippines]] located in the [[Mimaropa]] [[Regions of the Philippines|region]]. The province occupies the western half of the island of [[Mindoro]]. Its capital is [[Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro|Mamburao]], but the most populous municipality is [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San Jose]]. [[Sablayan]] is its largest municipality in terms of area, occupying almost half of the entire province. As of 2020, Occidental Mindoro has 525,354 inhabitants.

The province is bordered on the east by the province of [[Oriental Mindoro]], and on the south by the [[Mindoro Strait]]. The [[South China Sea]] is to the west of the province and [[Palawan]] is located to the southwest, across the Mindoro Strait. [[Batangas]] is to the north, separated by the [[Verde Island Passage]], a protected marine area and the center of the world's marine biodiversity.

==History==
===Early history===
[[Mindoro Island]] was originally known to the ancients as ''Ma-i''. It was formally called ''Mait'', and known to the Chinese traders before the coming of the Spanish. Its existence was mentioned in the old Chinese chronicles in 775 A.D. and more elaborately in 1225.

The natives of Mindoro were called ''Manguianes'' by the Spaniards. But the natives refer to themselves by their ethnic or clan identification. There were seven such ethnic or clan distinctions, which are differentiated by language and areas where each can be found. There are no authentic documents in existence explaining the origins of the Mangyan, but later theoreticians postulate that they migrated from Indonesia before 775 A.D. They hopped from island to island, until finally settling down permanently in Mindoro. It appeared{{Original research inline|date=July 2016}} that clan settlements existed in the North as well as in the southern ends of the island. By 779, the southwest coast of the island was already a known trading center, and its fine natural harbor frequented by Indian and Chinese maritime traders who plied the route.

The first semblance of a political system in Mindoro's experience was provided by China in the 13th century. Chinese imperial forces under Admiral [[Cheng Ho]] with a powerful armada of 60 war junks visited Mindoro and other parts of the archipelago in the 13th century, with the purpose of gaining more trading favors for Chinese merchants. Cheng Ho tried to exert some effort of rule as a prelude to annexation. Internal trouble in the China, however, recalled the armada, and the attempts to annex the archipelago did not materialize.

Some time afterwards, Islamic influence reached the island, probably,{{Original research inline|date=July 2016}} through Suluanons who traded with the natives. Moslem peoples, possibly{{Original research inline|date=July 2016}} - Orang Dampuans (economic refugees from [[Sulu]]) crossed [[Mindoro Strait]] from Paragua (now [[Palawan]]) and settled along the coastal areas, developing progressive maritime communities.

===Spanish colonial era===
In 1570, the Spanish began to explore the island and named it ''Mina de Oro'' ("mine of gold") after finding some of the precious metal, though no major gold discoveries were made. In 1572, Captain [[Juan de Salcedo]] of the Spanish expeditionary army set sail from [[Cebu]] and explored the west coast of the island, encountering the Mangyans, who appeared used to seeing foreigners and were unsurprised at their arrival. Instead, Salcedo and [[Martin de Goiti]] were surprised to see cross designs on the clothing and basketwork of the natives, and thought some early Christian missionary had been there before them. But later scholars believed the design was Indic in origin and had no religious meaning.

The Spaniards also encountered [[Moro people|Moro]] settlers in [[Lubang Island]] that were [[vassal]]s of and paid tribute to the [[kingdom of Maynila]] in the North, under [[Rajah Sulayman]]. This was the first real political system in the island. The Moros, who apparently had heard of the invaders from their kinsmen in the south, engaged the small Spanish force who landed on their shore, but the Spaniards' arquebuses and cannon fire from the ships hoved-to broadside to the island took the field. The Moros fled to the hills, and Salcedo burned their village. After the defeat of Sulaiman in the same year, Mindoro and other vassal states of Maynila became subject of Spanish rule. The island was officially referred to from then on as ''Mina de Oro'', compressed later on into Mindoro. The ancient name, Ma-i, fell into disuse.

The [[Spanish-Moro war]] continued in Mindoro until the end of the Spanish regime in the 19th century. In 1602, Moro forces plundered the most important Spanish towns along the coasts of Mindoro and Southern Luzon, and subsequently reestablished their hold in Mindoro by constructing a fort at [[Mamburao]]. From 1720 onwards, Moro raids became devastating not only to the island's Hispanized communities but to other parts of the archipelago as well. In 1757, the Moros, more particularly, the [[Iranun people|Iranuns]] organized a war fleet of 74 fast native ships called ''prahus''.  They destroyed several settlements in the island, carrying off their inhabitants to be sold as slaves in [[Jolo, Sulu|Jolo]]. The fact that a Moro fort at Mamburao threatened [[Manila]], the capital of the colonial government, embarrassed the conquerors in the eyes of their native subjects, which was politically intolerable to the Spanish administrators. So in 1766, the Spaniards gathered a large force of 1,200 marines, augmented by a large army of native mercenaries, and burned the Iranun fort. But the Moros simply fled into the hills to escape, and came back when the counter-raid was over and the raiders returned to Manila.

The Moros not only plundered goods, but also took prisoners of war which they sold as slaves. Many Islamic leaders in Mindanao supported piratical raids with arms, ammunition and food, not only because it was a patriotic act, but also because it was profitable. They received part of the "prisoners of war" when a successful raider returned, which earned them huge amounts. Most of the raids were successful because of the fast watercraft in the employ of the raiders. It was not until the commission of the ''vapor,'' fast steamships, in the mid-18th century that the Spanish navy successfully patrolled the archipelagic waters, and fared well against the wind-powered native seacraft of the pirates. Many pirate fleets were sunk at sea, or confined to their hiding places. The invention of machines during the Industrial Revolution, which gradually replaced manual labor, and the consecutive abolitions of slave ownership in many liberalized countries, caused a great decline in the demand for slave labor. Many of the pirate markets closed, and prices fell severely for captives. With losses to the Spanish navy increasing, and the eventual fall in profits from slave selling, raiding became less appealing to the Iranuns and their supporters. The pirate fort in Mamburao was abandoned, and the Moros retreated to Mindanao to consolidate their forces and continue the resistance in Mindanao. The Spanish presence in Mindoro was strentgthened.

In 1896, the [[Philippine Revolution]] broke out. In 1897, the Spaniards posted a rifle company of 140 troops and 51 marines to [[Calapan]] to secure the island from the forces of General [[Emilio Aguinaldo]] and his revolutionary army, then beginning to overrun Spanish positions in the archipelago. In 1898, the revolutionaries attacked and overwhelmed the settlement of [[Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro|Bongabong]] and western Mindoro. Finally, they marched against the capital of Calapan with some 1,000 ill-armed foot soldiers, However, the Spanish defenses held. It was only the arrival of 1,000 regular army troops with artillery, all under the command of [[Miguel Malvar]] in [[Batangas]], that compelled the surrender of the Spaniards under Governor Morales. On July 1, 1898, Spanish rule in Mindoro Island, lasting for 328 years, ended.

===American occupation===
A new battalion "Mindoro", with two rifle companies, was formed under the command of Captain Ruperto Hernandez and Estanislao Cayton, both from Batangas. The revolutionary political reins were held by the elite, who also held the same reins under the Spaniards (and later under the Americans).

In 1910, the successor United States politico-military administration granted over {{convert|50|km2}} of land to the [[James O. Welch Company|Welch and Fargo Sugar Company]] in what is now [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San Jose]], which built the first modern and biggest sugar mill in the Far East at Siete Central (now barangay Central). In the same year, the boldly developing community of sugar cane planters, mill workers, company professionals and businessmen enabled the creation of San Jose as an official town.

===Philippine independence===
In 1950, the province of Mindoro was divided into Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro by virtue of Republic Act No. 505.

===Contemporary history===
In April 2023, the provincial government placed the entire province under [[State of calamity (Philippines)|a state of calamity]] due to recurring 20-hour daily [[power outage]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |author=[[TeleRadyo]] |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Occidental Mindoro, isinailalim sa state of calamity |work=[[ABS-CBN News]] |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/amp/video/news/04/20/23/occidental-mindoro-isinailalim-sa-state-of-calamity |access-date=April 21, 2023 |language=tl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author1=Llanesca Panti |author2=[[GMA Integrated News]] |date=April 21, 2023 |title=Occidental Mindoro under state of calamity due to 20-hour daily power outage |work=[[GMA News Online]] |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/867658/occidental-mindoro-under-state-of-calamity-due-to-20-hour-daily-power-outage/story/ |access-date=April 21, 2023}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Apo reef.jpg|thumb|[[Apo Reef]]]]

Occidental Mindoro covers a total area of {{convert|5,865.71|km2}}{{PSGC detail|nscb}} occupying the western section of the [[Mindoro]] island, and includes outlying islands in the northwest.

General land surface features that characterize Occidental Mindoro are mountains, rivers, hills, valleys, wide plains and some small fresh water lakes. The taller mountains can be found in the interior that it shares with Oriental Mindoro. 
Mountain ranges converge on the two central peaks, [[Mount Halcon]] in the north, and [[Mount Baco]] in the south. There is also a mountain known as ''bundok ng susong dalaga'', the "Maiden's breast mountain", that looks like a reclined woman.<ref>[https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pEfUk78kObQ/SchK75FmhgI/AAAAAAAAAEk/V6BbCZb_kgg/s1600-h/CSC_3652.JPG Maiden's breast mountain, Occ. Mindoro]</ref>

The northern part of the province has relatively fewer plains, while the southern parts have wider flatlands. Most of the plains are cultivated fields, with few remaining untouched forests. Significant hilly areas can be found rolling off in Santa Cruz in the north, and in San Jose and Magsaysay in the south. These are grassed-over rather than forested.

There are several major drainage or river systems flowing on a generally westerly course: {{ill|Mamburao River|ceb}}, Pagbahan, Mompong, Biga, Lumintao, Busuanga and Caguray. Swamp areas are restricted to the south, specially, along the [[river mouth]]s.

The province is also home to one of the most popular [[coral reef]]s in the Philippines, [[Apo Reef]].

===Climate===
Occidental Mindoro has two distinct weather types: rainy season and dry season. Rains begin to fall in the province in late May, intensifying through June, July, August, September and October, then gradually subsides in November.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} The months of August and September are the wettest period, with storms directly passing through the area.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}}

On the other hand, dry season starts in November, with rainfall subsiding in intensity, and altogether ceasing in January, February, March and April. March and April are the driest period, with cloudless skies and parched earth characterizing the general area.

Temperature range is from {{convert|26|C}} in the windy uplands to {{convert|32|C}} in the lowlands.

{{Weather box
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=Occidental Mindoro
|temperature colour=pastel
|Jan high C=29.3
|Feb high C=29.9
|Mar high C=31.4
|Apr high C=32.6
|May high C=32.6
|Jun high C=32.3
|Jul high C=31.8
|Aug high C=31.8
|Sep high C=31.9
|Oct high C=31.4
|Nov high C=30.8
|Dec high C=29.5

|Jan low C=22.1
|Feb low C=22.2
|Mar low C=23.2
|Apr low C=24.1
|May low C=24.2
|Jun low C=23.9
|Jul low C=23.7
|Aug low C=23.9
|Sep low C=23.7
|Oct low C=23.5
|Nov low C=23.4
|Dec low C=22.6

|Jan rain days=15
|Feb rain days=10
|Mar rain days=8
|Apr rain days=7
|May rain days=11
|Jun rain days=15
|Jul rain days=15
|Aug rain days=13
|Sep rain days=13
|Oct rain days=16
|Nov rain days=17
|Dec rain days=18

| source = ''Storm247'' <ref name="Storm247-Occidental Mindoro">{{cite web|title=Weather forecast for Occidental Mindoro, Philippines|url=http://uk.storm247.com/weather/121133054/climate|website=Storm247.com|publisher=[[StormGeo|StormGeo AS]]|access-date=22 April 2016|location=Bergen, NO|archive-date=10 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170510064421/http://uk.storm247.com/weather/121133054/climate|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

===Administrative divisions===
Occidental Mindoro comprises 11 [[Philippine municipality|municipalities]] and 2 legislative districts.

{{col-begin|width=auto}}
{{col-break}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="table-layout:fixed;text-align:right;background-color:white;font-size:95%;border-collapse:collapse;margin:auto;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col" style="border-width:thin 0 0 thin;" class="unsortable" rowspan="2" |
! scope="col" style="border-width:thin 0 0 0;text-align:left;padding-right:1.5em;" class="unsortable" colspan="2" | Municipality{{thinsp}}{{efn-lr|name=Coord}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:none;" class="unsortable" | [[Legislative district of Occidental Mindoro|District]]{{PSGC detail|nscb}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;" class="unsortable" colspan="3" | Population
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;" class="unsortable" | {{PSGC rubric}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;" class="unsortable" colspan="2" | Area{{PSGC detail|nscb}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;" class="unsortable" colspan="2" | Density{{thinsp}}{{small|(2020)}}
! scope="col" style="border-bottom:0;" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Barangay|Total number of barangays}}
|-
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;" colspan="2" |
! scope="col" style="border-top:none;" |
! style="border-width:0 0 thin thin;text-align:center;" colspan="2" | {{small|(2020)}}{{PH census|2020|04B}}
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;text-align:center;" | {{small|(2015)}}{{PH census|2015|04B}}
! style="border-top:0;" |
! style="border-width:0 0 thin thin;text-align:center;" | km<sup>2</sup>
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|sq{{thinsp}}mi}}
! style="border-width:0 0 thin thin;text-align:center;" | /km<sup>2</sup>
! style="border-width:0 thin thin 0;text-align:center;" class="unsortable" | {{nowrap|/sq{{thinsp}}mi}}
! style="border-top:0;" |
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|13.4446|N|120.7262|E|name=Abra de Ilog|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro|Abra de&nbsp;Ilog]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|35,176|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 31,306
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|35,176|2015.3315|31,306}}
| {{convert|533.70|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|35,176/533.70|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 10
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|12.5713|N|120.9407|E|name=Calintaan|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro|Calintaan]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|30,190|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 29,826
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|30,190|2015.3315|29,826}}
| {{convert|382.50|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|30,190/382.50|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 7
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|13.7200|N|120.2499|E|name=Looc|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Looc, Occidental Mindoro|Looc]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|7,802|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 10,117
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|7,802|2015.3315|10,117}}
| {{convert|132.30|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|7,802/132.30|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 9
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|13.8595|N|120.1226|E|name=Lubang|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Lubang, Occidental Mindoro|Lubang]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|17,437|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 18,803
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|17,437|2015.3315|18,803}}
| {{convert|113.10|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|17,437/113.10|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 16
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|12.3069|N|121.1441|E|name=Magsaysay|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Magsaysay, Occidental Mindoro|Magsaysay]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|39,767|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 36,016
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|39,767|2015.3315|36,016}}
| {{convert|296.70|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|39,767/296.70|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 12
|-
! scope="row" style="border-width:medium 0 medium medium;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|13.2226|N|120.5962|E|name=Mamburao|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-width:medium 0 medium;" | [[Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro|Mamburao]]
| style="border-width:medium medium medium 0;padding-right:0.7em;" | †
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|47,705|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 42,975
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|47,705|2015.3315|42,975}}
| {{convert|283.51|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|47,705/283.51|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 15
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|13.4155|N|120.4623|E|name=Paluan|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Paluan, Occidental Mindoro|Paluan]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|18,566|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 16,025
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|18,566|2015.3315|16,025}}
| {{convert|564.50|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|18,566/564.50|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 12
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|12.4584|N|120.9638|E|name=Rizal|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Rizal, Occidental Mindoro|Rizal]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|40,429|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 38,263
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|40,429|2015.3315|38,263}}
| {{convert|242.50|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|40,429/242.50|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 11
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|12.8414|N|120.7753|E|name=Sablayan|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro|Sablayan]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|92,598|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 83,169
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|92,598|2015.3315|83,169}}
| {{convert|2188.80|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|92,598/2188.80|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 22
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|12.3529|N|121.0662|E|name=San Jose|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[San Jose, Occidental Mindoro|San&nbsp;Jose]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 2nd
| {{percent and number|153,267|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 143,430
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|153,267|2015.3315|143,430}}
| {{convert|446.70|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|153,267/446.70|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 39
|-
! scope="row" style="border-right:0;background-color:initial;" | {{coord|13.0843|N|120.7169|E|name=Santa Cruz|region:PH-MDC_type:city|format=hidden}}
| style="text-align:left;font-weight:bold;border-left:0;" colspan="2" | [[Santa Cruz, Occidental Mindoro|Santa&nbsp;Cruz]]
| style="text-align:center;" | 1st
| {{percent and number|42,417|525,354|disp=table|1|pad=yes}}
| 37,484
| {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|42,417|2015.3315|37,484}}
| {{convert|681.40|km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| {{convert|{{sigfig|42,417/681.40|2}}|PD/km2|abbr=values|disp=table}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 11
|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan="5" style="border-left:0;text-align:left;font-size:medium;font-variant:small-caps;letter-spacing:0.05em;" | Total
! style="text-align:right;" | 525,354
! style="text-align:right;" | 487,414
! style="text-align:right;" | {{PAGR|color=true|2020.5835|525,354|2015.3315|487,414}}
! style="text-align:right;" | 5,865.71
! style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|5,865.71|km2|disp=number|2}}
! style="text-align:right;" | {{sigfig|525,354/5,865.71|2}}
! style="text-align:right;" | {{convert|{{sigfig|525,354/5,865.71|2}}|PD/km2|disp=number}}
! style="text-align:center;" | 164
|- class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;line-height:1.3em;border-top:double grey;"
| colspan="3" style="border-width:thin 0 0 thin;" |
| colspan="5" style="border-width:thin 0 0 0;text-align:center;padding:0.7em 0;" | {{Color box|white|†|border=darkgray}}{{thinsp}}Provincial&nbsp;capital
| colspan="6" style="border-width:thin 0 0 0;text-align:left;padding:0.7em 0;" | {{Color box|white|border=darkgray}}{{thinsp}}Municipality
|- class="sortbottom" style="background-color:#F2F2F2;line-height:1.3em;font-size:110%;"
| colspan="13" style="border-top:0;text-align:left;padding:0 12em;" |
{{notelist-lr|refs=
{{efn-lr|name=Coord|The ''globe''&nbsp;[[File:WMA button2b.png|frameless|upright=0.1]] icon marks the [[town&nbsp;center]].}}
}}
|}
{{col-break|gap=0.75em}}
[[File:Ph fil occidental mindoro.png|thumb|upright=1.2|center|alt=Political map of Occidental Mindoro]]
{{col-end}}

==Demographics==
{{Philippine Census
| align= left
| 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|2015|04B}}{{PH census|2010|04B}}{{PH census|2010|04B}}<ref name="NSOR4B-2007Census">{{cite web|title=Fact Sheet; Region IV-B; Mimaropa' 2007 Census of Population|url=http://www.nso-r4b.webs.com/special%20release/POPCEN%20Factsheet.pdf|website=Philippine Statistics Authority - Region IV-B|access-date=8 July 2016|archive-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701063653/http://www.nso-r4b.webs.com/special%20release/POPCEN%20Factsheet.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

The population of Occidental Mindoro in the 2020 census was 525,354 people,{{PH census|current|04B}} with a density of {{convert|{{sigfig|525,354/5,865.71|2}}|PD/km2|disp=or}}.

The indigenous people in the province are the [[Mangyans]] (''Manguianes'' in Spanish, ''Mañguianes'' in [[Old Tagalog]]), consisting of 7 distinct tribes. They occupy the foothills and interior. The Mangyan have inhabited the island since pre-history. They are believed to have originally traveled from Indonesia and settled down for good in the island.

There is much evidence, historical and geophysical, that the Mangyan tribes formerly lived near the coastlines. They were compelled, however, to move into the interior jungles of the island when the inter-island immigrants came, in order to avoid confrontations, which the peace-loving tribes wished to avoid at all costs. They also wished to avoid cultural changes and to preserve their way of life.

Today, the Mangyan number to only around 80,000 (freely moving in and out in both provinces of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro). But there is no accurate accounting of them since many still live elusively in the upper regions of the island, avoiding contact with lowlanders.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}

===Languages===
Major languages spoken are [[Tagalog language|Tagalog]] and the [[Mangyan]] languages. Tagalog is usually spoken with [[Batangas Tagalog|Batangas dialect]] both due to its geographical contact with [[Batangas]] and Batangueño residents in the province, with great influences from native Mangyan and Visayan languages. [[Ilocano language|Ilocano]], [[Visayan languages|Visayan]], and [[Bikol language|Bicolano]], are varyingly spoken by people who migrated from the provinces where they are spoken. Occidental Mindoro is a cultural melting pot, populated mostly by recent immigrants.

===Religion===
Like the Eastern half of the island, most of the population of Occidental Mindoro are of [[Roman Catholicism in the Philippines|Roman Catholic]] conviction (82%){{citation needed|date=June 2016}} while minor religions are usually represented by various [[Christianity in the Philippines|Christian denominations]], [[Islam]], [[indigenous Philippine folk religions]], [[animism]], and [[atheism]].

==Economy==
{{stack|float=left|{{PH poverty incidence}}}}
Occidental Mindoro is an agricultural area devoted to the production of food. Its economic base is rice production (''[[Oryza sativa]]'' culture), a Philippine staple crop. It is the leading activity and source of seasonal employment in the province, participated in by almost 80 per cent of the population, including children.

Wetland or lowland rice is a rainy season crop, heavily dependent on water and therefore produced from July (planting season) to October (harvest season). Tobacco, onions, garlic and vegetables are grown during the dry season (November to May) since they are not water-intensive crops, and require longer [[photoperiodicity]].

Rice, corn, onions, garlic, salt, fishes (both wild and cultured) are some of the relatively significant surpluses produced in the province in exportable quantities. Mangoes, cashew nuts, cooking bananas (''saba'') and some other fruits grown in upland orchards are among the other exports of Occidental Mindoro that have traditionally contributed to its income. Peanuts are also grown in some parts of the province, as well as cassava, sweet potatoes, ginger and other minor cultivars.

Forest resources include timber and minerals, among them gold, copper, silver, chrome, and non-metallic minerals such as lime for making cement, and greenstones for ornaments. Timber groups include many species of hardwoods, such as mahogany, and other types of trees in high demand for durability.

There is no large industry in the province. The government is the biggest employer, absorbing most of the off-farm labor force. The local electric cooperative, [[Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative]] (OMECO), is the biggest employer in the private sector, with nearly 150 regular employees. The rest of the population is engaged in private trades.

===Problems ===
There are many multi-faceted problems in Occidental Mindoro's economy. In rice farming, the biggest issue confronting the producers is the high cost of production. This is attributed mainly to the spiraling prices of farm inputs. A study concluded that from 1997 to 2003, the cost of production rose by 47 per cent, while the income derived from marketing rice maintained 1997 levels. There are also confused reports that the average production rate has declined due to the reduced application of necessary farm chemicals. In street language, this means that the farmers simply cut the amount of inputs because they cannot afford the high capital requirements of following all the recommended inputs in the farming calendar.

Another structural problem is the inadequacy of irrigation. Most of the river systems in the province no longer have the demanded volume of water to make irrigation feasible. This is attributed to the greatly deforested watersheds.

{{clear left}}

==Flora and fauna==

<gallery>
File:Choriaster granulatus 03.jpg|A robust red sea star (''[[Choriaster granulatus]]'') in [[Sablayan|Pandan Islands]]
File:Pycnoclavella diminuta 01.jpg|A colony of orange tunicates (''[[Pycnoclavella diminuta|Clavelina dimunata]]'') in Pandan Islands
File:Reef4358 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|A Bright Red Shrimp in Pandan Islands.
File:Reef4292 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|A cushion star in [[Apo Reef]]
File:Reef4313 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|Yellowish white soft coral in Apo Reef
File:Reef4318 - Flickr - NOAA Photo Library.jpg|A yellow crinoid in Apo Reef
</gallery>

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

==External links==
{{GeoGroup}}
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{OSM relation|1506320}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064154/http://www.blgs.gov.ph/lgpmsv2/cmshome/index.php?pageID=23&frmIdDcfCode=7&fLguType=P&frmIdRegion=7&frmIdProvince=&frmIdLgu=40 Local Governance Performance Management System]

{{Geographic location
 | Centre    = Occidental Mindoro
 | North     = [[Batangas]]<br/>''[[Isla Verde Passage]]''
 | East      = [[Oriental Mindoro]]
 | South     = ''[[Sulu Sea]]''
 | Southwest = [[Palawan]]<br/>''[[Mindoro Strait]]''
 | West      = ''[[South China Sea]]''
}}

{{Occidental Mindoro|state=expanded}}
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|title = Articles related to Occidental Mindoro
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{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Occidental Mindoro| ]]
[[Category:Provinces of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Mindoro]]
[[Category:Provinces of Mimaropa]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1950]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in the Philippines]]