It is a chartered city and capital of the province of Misamis Oriental where governance is independent and separate from the province. It also serves as the regional center and business hub of Northern Mindanao (Region X), and part of the growing Metropolitan Cagayan de Oro area, which includes the city of El Salvador, the towns of Opol, Alubijid, Laguindingan, Gitagum at the western side, and the towns of Tagoloan, Villanueva, Jasaan, Claveria at the eastern side.
The City of Cagayan de Oro is located along the north central coast of Mindanao island facing Macajalar Bay and is bordered by the municipalities of Opol to the west, Tagoloan to the east, and the provinces of Bukidnon and Lanao del Norte to the south of the city. According to the 2015 census, the city has a population of 675,950, making it the 10th most populous city in the Philippines.
Cagayan de Oro has a tropical climate with an annual average temperature of 28 °C. In June 1998, the city recorded its highest temperature to date of 39 °C.
Cagayan de Oro does not receive an even amount of rainfall throughout the year. The driest months are March and April while August and September are the wettest months. The rainy or wet season lasts from June until November with the relatively drier seasons lasting from December until May. The city lies outside the typhoon belt but is affected by the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone.
As the gateway to Northern Mindanao and the rest of Mindanao, Cagayan de Oro is accessible via land, air and water transportation. Main public transportation systems within the City are metered taxis, jeepneys with fixed routes, and motorelas within Poblacion. There are also a couple of river taxis that ply down to the Cagayan de Oro River for both locals and tourists.
Roman Catholicism is the city's dominant religion, represented by almost 70 percent of the population. Other religious affiliations include the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, the Philippine Independent Church, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, Christ's Commission Fellowship, Baptists, the United Methodist Church, Jesus Miracle Crusade, and Islam which is increasing its number in the city since the Marawi Siege that started on the 23rd of May 2017, due to the migration of some families from Marawi City to other nearby cities including Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City.
