Tawi-Tawi Island

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.

Tawitawi

Tawi-Tawi province map showing Tawi-Tawi Island and smaller outlying islands
Tawitawi Location within the Philippines
Geography
Coordinates	05°12′N 120°00′E
Archipelago	Sulu Archipelago
Adjacent bodies of water	Celebes Sea Sulu Sea
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	549 m (1801 ft)[1]
Administration
Philippines
Region	ARMM
Province	Tawi-Tawi
Municipalities	Bongao Languyan Panglima Sugala Tandubas
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]