[1][2] It is located on the northern coast of Mindanao, and comprises the two chartered cities of Cagayan de Oro and El Salvador and the fourteen municipalities of Misamis Oriental which are Alubijid, Balingasag, Claveria, Gitagum, Initao, Jasaan, Laguindingan, Libertad, Lugait, Manticao, Naawan, Opol, Tagoloan, and Villanueva and the six municipalities of Bukidnon which are Manolo Fortich, Baungon, Libona, Malitbog, Sumilao and Talakag.

The eastern and southern regions run from district 2 of Cagayan de Oro to Tagoloan to Claveria and Malitbog to Talakag, which is bordered by Bukidnon-Central Mindanao and Lanao del Norte.

The southern portion has semi-active volcanoes in the Kalatungan Mountain Range, although the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhilVolcs) maintains that there is little risk of eruption or earthquakes.

The city receives a varying amount of rainfall throughout the year; March and April are the driest months, and August and September the wettest.

Metro Cagayan de Oro covers municipalities in eastern and western Misamis Oriental and northern Bukidnon.

Metro Cagayan de Oro is inhabited by distinct Visayan (notably Cebuano-speaking majority) cultural communities.

Several cultural minorities exist in central Mindanao (Talakag, Sumilao and Baungon), including the Bagobos, Subanons and Badjaos.

The rest of the areas' population includes migrants and their descendants from Luzon and other parts of Visayas, such as Bicolanos, Ilocanos, Kapampangans, Tagalogs and Hiligaynons.

Cultural communities and ethnic groups living primarily in remote areas of Talakag, Baungon and Bukidnon include the Maranaos, Maguindanaons, Tausugs, Higaonons, Subanens, Binukid, T’boli and Bagobo.

The city of Cagayan de Oro reported seven billion pesos in investment during the first six months of 2012, primarily in the service and industrial sectors.

It serves northern Mindanao (including Iligan and Cagayan de Oro), offering domestic service throughout the Philippines.