Tawitawi Island (also spelled Tawi Tawi or Tawi-Tawi) is a Philippine island in the Sulu Archipelago between the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea, about 64 kilometres (40 mi) east of Borneo.[2] It is the main island of Tawi-Tawi Province.
Tawi-Tawi province map showing Tawi-Tawi Island and smaller outlying islands | |
![]() ![]() Tawitawi Location within the Philippines | |
Geography | |
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Coordinates | 05°12′N 120°00′E |
Archipelago | Sulu Archipelago |
Adjacent bodies of water | |
Area | 580.5 km2 (224.1 sq mi)[1] |
Length | 55 km (34.2 mi)[2] |
Width | 23 km (14.3 mi)[2] |
Coastline | 152.2 km (94.57 mi)[1] |
Highest elevation | 552 m (1811 ft)[1] |
Highest point | Mount Sibangkat |
Administration | |
Philippines | |
Region | BARMM |
Province | Tawi-Tawi |
Municipalities |
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Largest settlement | Bongao (pop. 116,118) |
Demographics | |
Population | 82,582 (2010)[3] |
Pop. density | 142.3/km2 (368.6/sq mi) |
Tawitawi has an area of 580.5 square kilometres (224.1 sq mi), making it the 21st largest island of the Philippines, and the 3rd largest island in the Sulu Archipelago (after Basilan and Jolo). It has a shoreline length of 152.2 kilometres (94.6 mi), and a maximum elevation of 549 metres (1,801 ft).[1]
Tawitawi Island is of volcanic origin and irregular in shape, about 55 kilometres (34 mi) long and between 10 to 23 kilometres (6.2 to 14.3 mi) wide. It is hilly and heavily wooded, with splashes of white sandy beaches and rock-bound coasts.[2]
The island is subdivided into 4 municipalities (Bongao, Languyan, Panglima Sugala, and Tandubas). The inhabitants are mostly Sama people, speaking Sama–Bajaw languages and of Muslim conviction.[2]
The 40 largest islands of the Philippines | ||
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