The City of Cagayan de Oro, nickmaned “The City of Golden Friendship”, lies along the northern coastline of Mindanao. It is the provincial capital of the province of Misamis Oriental and the regional center for Northern Mindanao (Region X). According to the 2000 census, the city has an estimated population of 461,877 individuals with 93,525 households.

These are the city’s major languages:

• Cebuano / Visayan

• English, and

• Filipino

The main conversational language used in the city is Cebuano or Visayan. English is mainly used for business, written text and is also widely used by the academic community. Most of the local population are also fluent in Filipino, the country’s national language.

Roman Catholic is the major religion in Cagayan De Oro city. Other religions include, but are not limited to; Other Christians (Aglipay, Baptists, and Iglesia ni Kristo), Muslims, and other religions.

There are 3 major universities in the city namely:

• CU – Capitol University

• Liceo de Cagayan University and

• XU – Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

These the universities specialize in various disciplines such as engineering, law, medicine, nursing, commerce, masteral and doctorate degrees. While AMA Computer University and Philippine Womens University are campus branches offering fewer courses.

Cagayan de Oro City is the shopping capital of the Northern Mindanao region. Residents from nearby provinces visit the city to shop and enjoy the mall facilities. Ayala Land recently launched its residential estate in Indahag and would soon construct its own shopping center, the Ayala Mall. SM City and Robinsons Mall are drawing plans to further expand their operations in the city center. Plans are also underway for the construction of the Pacific Island City Mall along Barangay Nazareth.

Major Shopping Centers:

• Limketkai Center is located in Barangay Lapasan, near the National Highway.

• Robinsons Cagayan de Oro is located behind the Limketkai Mall. It is right beside Grand Caprice Restaurant and Convention Center.

• Gaisano City Mall is at the Claro M. Recto Avenue cor Corrales Extension, Lapasan Highway. Gaisano also has branches in Cogon and Carmen.

• SM City Cagayan de Oro at Masterson Avenue, Upper Carmen

• Makro at Kauswagan Highway.

• Ororama Chain of Stores in Lapasan, Cogon, and Carmen.

• The Night Café, Divisoria area is set up on Friday and Saturday nights.