Misamis Oriental is in northern Mindanao. It is bounded on the north by Macajalar Bay and the Bohol Sea, on the east by Agusan del Norte, on the west by Iligan Bay, and on the south by Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte. The province has an irregular coastline indented by two bays – Macajalar and Gingoog. The eastern part consists of angular hills cut by streams in deep gorges. The central part is characterized by sloping lowlands and river valleys. The western part has rough hills rising abruptly from the sea. The coastal lowlands are narrow.
The name “Misamis” comes from the word “kuyamis,” a local variety of sweet coconut. The province´s original inhabitants were Bukidnons and the Manobos. They were driven into the interior when Visayan settlers arrived.
Misamis used to be a part of the diocese of Cebu. In 1818, it became a “corregimento” comprised of four divisions: Misamis, including Iligan, Dapitan, Cagayan and Catarman, on the island of Camuigen. In 1850, it included Bukidnon and the northern part of Cotabato. At close of the Spanish era, Misamis constituted on of the seven districts of Mindanao. On November 2, 1929, Misamis was divided into two provinces. However, it was not until November 28, 1939 that the division was formally implemented.
