[3] The city is bounded on the east by the municipality of Tuburan, on the south by Tipo-Tipo, on the west by Isabela and on the north by Basilan Strait.

[5] According to the city's earliest recorded historical source, the Tagihamas, also known as the Land Dyaks of Sarawak, were the first known settlers to Basilan, later evolving into the Yakan group.

[6] During the Spanish, American, and Japanese occupations, the town was designated as one of Basilan's municipal districts, which were then part of Zamboanga.

In June 1886, a man named Pedro Javier Cuevas, also known as Datu Kalun in Basilan history, took over leadership from the native chieftains and founded the settlement of Lamitan.

With the passage of time, an influx of Christian settlers arrived, who, along with their Muslim neighbors, paved the path for agricultural development in the region.

593 revised 356 to increase the territory of Basilan City to nearly three square kilometers and divide the province into ten municipalities: Lamitan, Isabela, Maluso, Sumisip, Lantawan, Tuburan, Tipo-Tipo, Tapiantana, Malamawi, and Pilas.

Col. Tomas G. Naquil, commander of the 2/1 Brigade stationed in Basilan at the time, was named the first Military Governor.

840 reduced the number of municipalities of Basilan Province from ten to seven, removing Tapiantana, Pilas, and Malamawi.

By 1988, Wilfredo C. Furigay had taken the position of mayor by way of election and was succeeded by Inocente J. Ramos in 1995 for three consecutive terms.

On December 22, 2009, the cityhood law of Lamitan and 15 other municipalities regain its status as cities again after the court reversed its ruling on November 18, 2008.

On August 23, 2010, the court reinstated its ruling on November 18, 2008, causing Lamitan and 15 cities to become regular municipalities.

Finally, on February 15, 2011, Lamitan becomes a city again including the 15 municipalities declaring that the conversion to cityhood met all legal requirements.

[10] However, several hours after the declaration, a bomb explosion occurred at a gas station located in Barangay Matibay.