.Oriental Mindoro was originally known to the Chinese traders before the coming of the Spanish as Ma-i and later as Mait, it is also mentioned in the old Chinese chronicles when Chinese, Arab and Indian merchants traded with the natives.
In 1801, the Spanish authorities tried a system of re-populating Mindoro but failed since the people were afraid to migrate to the province and returned to their homes after several years.
When the Philippine Revolution broke out in 1898, and the Spanish were ousted from the province. However, with the arrival of the Americans the area was again brought under foreign rule after the US-Filipino war. Free trade was established between the U.S.A. and the Philippines that brought about significant changes in the economy of Mindoro. In the years following the invasion of Mindoro by the United States Forces, there had been a considerable increase in population due to the pouring into the highly underpopulated island of a massive influx of new settlers. For the first time, the development and cultivation of the island's interior was made possible. The structure of society and the distribution of landholdings were likewise altered. The minority policy of the Americans was adopted, uplifting the Mangyans to the Filipino majority's level of civilization through special educational regulation and separate settlements.
After World War 2 which saw heavy damage and countless deaths of the Island's people, the population grew from the arrival of new settlers from other parts of the Philippines this population growth continues to this day. Oriental Mindoro is one of the Philippines emerging tourists spots with its white sand beaches, blue waters and lush forests with plentiful waterfalls and an overall natural beauty.