About Pagadian
Pagadian, chartered city in the southwestern Philippines, capital of Zamboanga del Sur Province, on the island of Mindanao, on the south coast of the Zamboanga Peninsula. Pagadian is a port on Pagadian Bay, a part of the much larger Illana Bay. Historically, Pagadian has been an important entry point for agricultural migrants, mostly from the more densely settled central Visayan Islands. The migrants have then resettled in nearby areas to farm. Pagadian is an important processing center for rice, maize (corn), and coconuts produced in the surrounding area. Fishing is also a major economic activity, as is lumber processing due to the peninsula's excellent stands of Philippine hardwood trees. National roads connect Pagadian with most other cities on Mindanao. A small airport has interisland commercial service. As with many Philippine chartered cities, the total area of the city (378 sq km/146 sq mi) includes a large portion of farmland. Pagadian was chartered in 1969. Between 1980 and 1990 the population of Pagadian grew by 32 percent, somewhat more than the national growth rate of 26 percent. Population (1999) 143,153.
