Lantapan is a landmark plateau, situated between the Kalatungan and Kitanglad Ranges. Because of its location, the place was called after the native word “Lantapan”, that means “level on top”. It was formerly a village of Malaybalay but under Republic Act No. 4787, Lantapan become a regular municipality on 18th of June, 1966. Based on income, Lantapan is classified as a first class municipality.

Lantapan is nestled in the heart of Bukidnon of Mindanao Island, south of the Philippine archipelago. It is bounded by the municipalities of Sumilao and Impasug-ong on the north; Malaybalay City on the east; Valencia City on the south; and Talakag on the west.

Lantapan lies above sea level at an average of 600m and a maximum of 2,938 meters of the Kitanglad range. The elevation increases as one proceeds northwest to its highest altitude.

Its slope is characterized by slight to moderate rolling terrain and hills, where about 70% of the total land area has slopes greater than 18%. Its varied landscape position provides greater opportunity for growing assorted vegetable crops.

Its soil is classified as first class, suitable for agricultural production with Adtuyon (50%), Kidapawan clay (24%), and undifferentiated mountain soil (26%).

Endowed with rich agriculture and forestlands, Lantapan has an aggregate land area of 32,835 hectares, classified into A&D with 18,565 hectares, and forestlands with 14,320 hectares. It represents 4.3% of Bukidnon’s total land area of 829,878 hectares. It has 6 river channels, 69 creeks and springs traversing across different points in the landscape.

Lantapan has an Agri-based economy. Farming has remained a dominant economic activity among Lantapanons. The most widely planted food crops are corn, coffee and sugarcane, cabbage and potatoes are also expansively cultivated in the upper areas. Export quality banana is also becoming an important commercial crop in the municipality.

Lantapan shares Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park’s wealth of flora and fauna. The park is relatively small ecosystem approximately 50,000 hectares but considered to have the highest conservation value because of the high endemism of vascular flora. It is also the site of the greatest diversity of mammals and birds in the country today.

Approximately 40% of the municipal land is forestland, with Barangay Basac having the largest share. Forestland areas are limited to high steep slopes with elevation greater that 1,800 meters above sea level.

The national government implements a reforestation project at Lantapan called Cinchona Reforestation which covered 1,994 hectares of forest land. It is the only plantation of its kind in the country sheltering seven Cinchona species which are known to possess medicinal elements. The forest had been maintaining ecological balance in its surrounding communities and protecting our watershed.