Marawi, Provincial capital in Lanao del Sur, Philippines
Marawi is a provincial capital in Lanao del Sur, Philippines, that stretches along the shores of Lake Lanao. The city is divided into 96 barangays and sits at roughly 710 m above sea level in a hilly landscape.
Spanish forces built a settlement in 1639 but met resistance from local Meranaw groups for centuries. The area eventually became a municipality in 1907 and later rose to provincial capital status.
The city takes its name from the local Meranaw community and combines Islamic daily life with traditions linked to the lake region. Many residents continue to practice crafts such as weaving colorful textiles and working with brass, skills passed down in workshops and homes across the districts.
The city can be divided into several zones, each with different terrain and access to the lakeshore. Travelers should allow time to navigate between barangays, as routes may wind through hilly ground.
The Agus River originates directly from Lake Lanao and flows through the city toward Iligan Bay. This waterway connects the mountain lakes of Mindanao with the coast and shapes agriculture and daily life across the region.
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