HIYAS ng Mindanao 2007

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines, and is located in the southern part of the archipelago. Mindanao is made up of around 20 provinces. The landmass is almost 94,000 square kilometers, and is filled with picturesque landscapes of lush vegetation extending to coastal plains, swamps, fertile volcanic plateaus and river valleys. There are long stretches of forests and mountain ranges that link the northern and southern regions. Mt. Apo, the skyscraper of Mindanao and the Philippines’ highest peak, towers over all of this.

The island has two big river systems -- the Agusan River, which feeds the swampy plains of the east, and teems with wildlife; and the Rio Grande de Mindanao – also known as the Pulangui River – which flows along central Mindanao going south to the Cotabato regions.

At the southernmost tip lie the myriad islands of the Sulu archipelago, which stretches out to Indonesia.

Moreover, this annual event aims to generate an awareness of the importance of management and preservation of the world’s natural resources.
Another goal is to inspire the young to be pro-active individuals, and be strongly motivated to advocate
the socio-cultural and economic development of the island.

Mindanao’s economy rests largely on agriculture; vast plantations of pineapples, bananas, corn, coconut and other tropical fruits can be found throughout her fertile land. Large cattle ranches are scattered throughout various tracts of agricultural land.