Isabela, city and fishing port in the southern Philippines, on Basilan Island, in Zamboanga del Sur Province, in Basilan Strait. The metropolitan area includes all of Basilan Island and various smaller islands. In Isabela, rubber, coconuts, rice, and corn are produced and cattle are raised. Formerly a part of Zamboanga municipality, the city was once called Basilan. Population (1999 estimate) 74,283.
