Marawi, officially the Islamic City of Marawi (Maranao: Bandar a Marawi; Filipino: Lungsod ng Marawi), is a 4th class component city and capital of the province of Lanao del Sur, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 207,010 people.Marawi is located upon the shores of Lake Lanao. It is primarily inhabited by the Maranao people.
The city is also called the "Summer Capital of the South" due to its higher elevation and cooler climate, a nickname it shares with Malaybalay.On May 23, 2017, the city suffered extensive damage during the Battle of Marawi as militants affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant invaded the city and engaged in a massive urban gunfight. The ensuing battle lasted until October 23, 2017, when Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana announced the ending of the battle.
Major damage of the city was mostly caused by airstrikes carried out by the Philippine Air Force in an attempt to eliminate the militants.
Alcohol is banned in the city.
Marawi is a city that is situated on the shore of Lake Lanao. 99.6% of the city's population are Muslim.
In May 2017 Muslim insurgents backed by the Islamic State took over the city, and it was not until October that Philippine government forces took it back. There were a series of battles causing extensive damage, mainly in the city center, and as of early 2022 rebuilding is not yet complete.
