Editing Mindanao (section)

==Geography==
[[File:Carte_topographique_de_Mindanao.svg|thumb|Geofeatures map of Mindanao]]
Mindanao is the second-largest [[island]] in the Philippines at {{convert|97530|km2}},<ref name="unep" /> and is the [[List of islands by population|seventh-most populous island in the world]]. The island is mountainous, and is home to [[Mount Apo]], the highest mountain in the country. Mindanao is surrounded by four seas: the [[Sulu Sea]] to the west,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=C. Michael |date=August 29, 2011 |title=Sulu Sea |url=http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sulu_Sea?topic=49523 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504162440/http://www.eoearth.org/article/Sulu_Sea?topic=49523 |archive-date=May 4, 2012 |website=The Encyclopedia of Earth}}</ref> the [[Philippine Sea]] to the east, the [[Celebes Sea]] to the south, and the [[Mindanao Sea]] to the north.

The island itself is part of an [[Island groups of the Philippines|island group]] of the same name, which consists of the mainland, the [[Sulu Archipelago]] and the outlying islands of [[Camiguin]], [[Dinagat Island|Dinagat]], [[Siargao]], and [[Samal, Davao del Norte|Samal]].

=== Mountains ===
[[File:Foggy Morning At Panimahawa Ridge.jpg|thumb|Mountains in the province of [[Bukidnon]]]]
The mountains of Mindanao can be grouped into ten ranges, including both complex structural mountains and volcanoes. The structural mountains on the extreme eastern and western portions of the island show broad exposures of [[Mesozoic]] rock, and Ultrabasic rocks at the surface in many places along the east coast. Other parts of the island consist mainly of [[Cenozoic]] and [[Quaternary]] volcanic or sedimentary rocks.

In the eastern portion of the island, from [[Bilas Point]] in [[Surigao del Norte]] to [[Cape San Agustin]] in [[Davao Oriental]], is a range of complex mountains known in their northern portion as the [[Diwata Mountains]]. This range is low and rolling in its central portion. A proposed road connecting [[Bislig]] on the east coast with the [[Agusan River]] would pass through {{Convert|16|km|sp=us}} of broad saddle across the mountains at a maximum elevation of less than {{Convert|250|m|sp=us}}; while the existing east–west road from [[Lianga, Surigao del Sur|Lianga]], {{convert|48|km|abbr=on}} north of [[Bislig]], reaches a maximum elevation of only {{Convert|450|m|abbr=on}}. The Diwata Mountains, north of these low points, are considerably higher and more rugged, reaching an elevation of {{Convert|2012|m|abbr=on}} in [[Mount Hilong-Hilong]], {{convert|17|mi|km}} along the eastern portion of [[Cabadbaran]]. The southern portion of this range is broader and even more rugged than the northern section. In [[Davao Oriental]], several peaks rise above {{Convert|2600.|m|abbr=on}} and one mountain rises to {{Convert|2910.|m|abbr=on}}.

[[File:MountApo1.jpg|thumb|[[Mt. Apo]], the highest peak in the Philippines]]

The east-facing coastal regions of Davao and Surigao del Sur are marked by a series of small coastal lowlands separated from each other by rugged forelands which extend to the water's edge. Offshore are numerous [[coral reefs]] and tiny [[islets]]. This remote and forbidding coast is made doubly difficult to access during the months from October to March by the heavy surf driven before the northeast trade winds. A few miles offshore is found the [[Philippine Deep]]. This ocean trench, reaching measured depths of {{convert|34696|ft|m}}, is the third-deepest trench, (after the [[Mariana Trench]] and [[Tonga Trench]]) on the earth's surface.

A second north–south mountain range extends from [[Talisayan, Misamis Oriental|Talisayan]] in the north, to [[Tinaca Point]] in the southernmost point of Mindanao. This mountain range runs along the western borders of the [[Agusan del Norte]], [[Agusan del Sur]], and [[Davao Region|Davao]] provinces. This range is mainly structural in origin, but it also contains at least three active volcano peaks. The central and northern portions of this range contain several peaks between {{Convert|2000|and|2600|m|abbr=on}}, and here the belt of mountains is about {{convert|30|mi|km}} across.

West of [[Davao City]] stand two inactive volcanoes: [[Mount Talomo]] at {{Convert|2893|m|sp=us}}, and [[Mount Apo]] at {{Convert|2964|m|abbr=on}}. Mount Apo is the highest point in the Philippines. South of Mount Apo, this central mountain belt is somewhat lower than it is to the north, with peaks averaging only {{Convert|1100|to|1800|m|abbr=on}}.

In Western Mindanao, a range of complex structural mountains forms the long, hand-like [[Zamboanga Peninsula (geographical region)|Zamboanga Peninsula]]. These mountains, reaching heights of only {{convert|1200|m|abbr=off|sp=us}}, are not as high as the other structural belts in Mindanao. There are several places in the Zamboanga Mountains where small inter-mountain basins have been created, with some potential for future agricultural development. The northeastern end of this range is marked by the twin peaks of the now-extinct volcano, [[Mount Malindang]], that towers over [[Ozamiz]] at a height of {{Convert|2425|m|abbr=on}}. Mount Dapia is the highest mountain in the Zamboanga Peninsula, reaching a height of {{convert|2617|m|abbr=on}}. [[Batorampon Point]] is the highest mountain of the southernmost end of the peninsula, reaching a height of only {{convert|1335|m|abbr=on}}; it is located in the boundary of [[Zamboanga City]].

A series of volcanic mountains is located within the vicinity of [[Lake Lanao]] forming a broad arc through the [[Lanao del Sur]], [[Cotabato]] and [[Bukidnon]] provinces. At least six of the twenty odd peaks in this area are active and several stand in semi-isolation. The [[Butig Peaks]], with their four crater lakes, are easily seen from [[Cotabato]]. [[Mount Ragang]], an active volcano cone reaching {{Convert|2815|m|abbr=on}}, is the most isolated, while the greatest height is reached by [[Mount Kitanglad]] at {{Convert|2889|m|abbr=on}}.

[[File:Philippinen mindanao boot ph06p73.jpg|thumb|Mindanao coast]]

In [[South Cotabato]], is another range of volcanic mountains, this time paralleling the coast. These mountains have a maximum extent of {{convert|110|mi|km}} from northwest to southeast and measures some {{convert|30|mi|km}} across. One of the well-known mountains here is [[Mount Parker (Cotabato)|Mount Parker]], whose almost circular [[volcanic crater lake|crater lake]] measures a mile-and-a-quarter in diameter and lies {{Convert|300|m|abbr=on}} below its {{Convert|2040|m|abbr=on}} summit. [[Mount Matutum]] is a protected area and is considered one of the major landmarks in the [[South Cotabato]] province.

=== Plateaus ===
Another important physiographic division of Mindanao is the series of upland plateaus in the [[Bukidnon]] and [[Lanao del Sur]] provinces. These [[plateau]]s are rather extensive and almost surround several [[volcanoes]] in this area. The plateaus are made up of basaltic lava flows inter-bedded with volcanic ash and tuff. Near their edges, the plateaus are cut by deep [[canyons]], and at several points waterfalls drop down to the narrow coastal plain. These falls hold considerable promise for development of hydroelectric energy. Indeed, one such site at [[Maria Cristina Falls]] has already become a major producer. The rolling plateaus lie at an elevation averaging 700 meters above sea level, and offer relief from the often oppressive heat of the coastal lowlands.

=== Lakes and waterfalls ===
[[Lake Lanao]] occupies a large portion of one such plateau in [[Lanao del Sur]]. This lake is the largest lake in Mindanao and the second largest in the country; it is roughly triangular in shape with an {{convert|18|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} base, having a surface at 780 meters above sea level, and is rimmed on the east, south, and west by a series of peaks reaching 2,300 meters.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}} [[Marawi City]], at the northern tip of the lake, is bisected by the [[Agus River]], that feeds the [[Maria Cristina Falls]].

Another of Mindanao's waterfall sites is located in Malabang, {{convert|15|mi|km}} south of [[Lake Lanao]]. Here the Jose Abad Santos Falls present one of the nation's scenic wonders at the gateway to a 200-hectare national park development.

The Limunsudan Falls, with an approximate height of {{convert|800|ft|m|abbr=on}}, is the highest waterfall in the Philippines; it is located in [[Iligan City]].

=== Valleys, rivers, and plains ===
[[File:Rio Grande de Mindanao (Cotabato City).jpg|thumb|[[Rio Grande de Mindanao]]]]
Mindanao contains two large lowland areas in the valleys of the [[Agusan River]] in Agusan, and the [[Rio Grande de Mindanao]] in [[Cotabato City]].

There is some indication that the Agusan Valley occupies a broad syncline between the central mountains and the east-coast mountains. This valley measures {{convert|110|mi|km}} from south to north and varies from {{convert|20|to|30|mi|km}} in width. {{convert|35|mi|km}} north of the head of [[Davao Gulf]] lies the watershed between the Agusan and the tributaries of the Libuganon River, which flows to the gulf. The elevation of this divide is well under {{Convert|200|m|abbr=on}}, indicating the almost continuous nature of the lowland from the [[Mindanao Sea]] on the north to [[Davao Gulf]].

The [[Rio Grande de Mindanao]] and its main tributaries, the Catisan and the [[Pulangi River|Pulangi]], form a valley with a maximum length of {{convert|120|mi|km}} and a width which varies from {{convert|12|mi|km}} at the river mouth to about {{convert|60|mi|km}} in central [[Cotabato]]. The southern extensions of this Cotabato Valley extend uninterrupted across a {{Convert|350|m|sp=us|adj=on}} [[drainage divide|watershed]] from [[Illana Bay]] on the northwest to [[Sarangani Bay]] on the southeast.

Other lowlands of a coastal nature are to be found in various parts of Mindanao. Many of these are tiny isolated pockets, along the northwest coast of [[Zamboanga Peninsula|Zamboanga]]. In other areas such as the Davao Plain, these coastal lowlands are {{Convert|16|km|abbr=on}} wide and several times in length.

From [[Dipolog]], eastward along the northern coast of Mindanao approaching [[Butuan]], extends a rolling coastal plain of varying width. In [[Misamis Occidental]], the now dormant [[Mount Malindang]] has created a lowland averaging {{Convert|13|km|abbr=on}} in width. Shallow [[Panguil Bay]] divides this province from [[Lanao del Norte]], and is bordered by low-lying, poorly drained lowlands and extensive mangroves. In [[Misamis Oriental]], the plain is narrower and in places whittle into rugged capes that reach the sea. East of [[Cagayan de Oro]], a rugged peninsula extends into the [[Mindanao Sea]].

=== Climate change ===
[[Climate change]] is expected to have adverse effects on Mindanao's population, environment, and agriculture.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2017 |title=Climate change affects Mindanao: Environment advocate |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/118550/climate-change-affects-mindanao-environment-advocate- |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=Sunstar |language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate change is a threat multiplier for the forcibly displaced in Mindanao |url=https://www.unhcr.org/ph/24073-jul2021-enews-mindanao.html |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=UNHCR Philippines |language=en}}</ref> Mindanao is already experiencing [[Effects of climate change|severe climate events]] attributed to changes in the Earth's temperature. These climate events include typhoons such as [[Tropical Storm Washi|Typhoon Washi]], [[Typhoon Bopha]] and [[Typhoon Rai]] as of December 2021. Those storms had severe impact on the island of Mindanao.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mordeno |first=H. Marcos C. |date=August 10, 2021 |title=Climate change closer to irreversible tipping points – IPCC |url=https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/08/climate-change-closer-to-irreversible-tipping-points-ipcc/ |access-date=March 29, 2022 |website=MindaNews |language=en-US}}</ref>