# Himamaylan

Himamaylan (/hiːmɑːˈmaɪlən/), officially the City of Himamaylan (Hiligaynon: Dakbanwa/Syudad sang Himamaylan; Filipino: Lungsod ng Himamaylan), is a component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 116,240 people.
Due to its coastal location, it is a rich source of different types of seafood, mainly fish, oysters, mussels and shrimps. The city celebrates the Himaya-an Festival every April 14–25.

## Etymology

During the Spanish colonisation, it was once spelt as "Gimamaylan".

## History

In 1795, Himamaylan became the capital of Negros. At that time, the city served as a garrison for occupying Spanish forces. Today, the old Spanish-built fort constructed as a lookout point for frequent Moro raids is one of the historical attractions found in the city.

### Cityhood

In March 5, 2001, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act No. 9028, providing for the conversion of the municipality into a city after a favourable plebiscite. Making it the only city in the 5th District of the province.

## Geography

Himamaylan is located at the centre-most cove on the coastline of Negros Island. Himamaylan has a natural harbour characterised by deep waters favourable to access by marine vessels.
Located in the centre of the island, the city is conducive to operations reaching all parts of the country and the rest of Southeast Asia from a strategic point. Most portions of the city are plains and generally have fertile soil, conducive for agriculture. The city's rivers are 12 feet (3.7 m) or deeper, providing drainage for farmland.
This city is 75 kilometres (47 mi) south of Bacolod, the provincial capital.

### Barangays

Himamaylan is politically subdivided into 19 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.
* Aguisan
* Buenavista
* Cabadiangan
* Cabanbanan
* Carabalan
* Caradio-an
* Libacao
* Mambagaton
* Nabali-an
* Mahalang
* San Antonio
* Sara-et
* Su-ay
* Talaban
* To-oy
* Barangay I (Poblacion)
* Barangay II (Poblacion)
* Barangay III (Poblacion)
* Barangay IV (Poblacion)

### Climate

Climate data for Himamaylan :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30 (86) | 31 (88) | 32 (90) | 33 (91) | 32 (90) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 29 (84) | 30 (86) | 30 (86) | 30 (87) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 24 (75) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 25 (77) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 24 (74) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 38 (1.5) | 29 (1.1) | 55 (2.2) | 65 (2.6) | 141 (5.6) | 210 (8.3) | 212 (8.3) | 176 (6.9) | 180 (7.1) | 180 (7.1) | 130 (5.1) | 70 (2.8) | 1,486 (58.6) |
| Average rainy days | 9.0 | 7.2 | 11.1 | 13.5 | 25.6 | 28.4 | 28.9 | 27.3 | 26.9 | 27.7 | 21.8 | 13.8 | 241.2 |
| Source: Meteoblue ||||||||||||||

## Demographics
### Language

The people in the city speak Hiligaynon. Tagalog and English are generally understood.

## Economy

Poverty incidence of Himamaylan
* 10
* 20
* 30
* 40
* 2006 30.50
* 2009 31.37
* 2012 23.50
* 2015 19.76
* 2018 23.96
* 2021 25.44
* Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
The city's main sources of livelihood include fishery, sugarcane farming and sugar production, rice farming, mango cultivation and ethanol exports.

## Sister city

* Taguig, Metro Manila