SOUTH COTABATO

Population

1,102,550(2007) Area 4,489 km sq

Languages

Hiligaynon, Cebuano

General Information

South Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in the SOCCSKSARGEN region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal City. South Cotabato is blessed with a majestic and exotic wilderness which added to its one of a kind cultural heritage that boosts the local tourism industry. Several mountain ranges, natural caves, mountain lakes, forests and springs abound the land. The municipalities of Lake Sebu and T'boli are well known for their cultural heritage and crafts of its autochthonal T'boli and B'laan communities. The scenic Mt. Matutum, El Gawel Resort and Wildlife Sanctuary, Lake Sebu, Lake Maughan and Mt. Parker and the Seven Falls offer unrivalled vistas for all tourists and explorers.

Geography

South Cotabato is located in the southern of the island of Mindanao. It is bounded by the province of Sultan Kudarat in the north and west, in the east and south by the city of General Santos and province of Sarangani. It lies at a latitude of about 6 degrees and 15' north and about 125 degrees longitude. Its main access to the sea is through the Sarangani Bay where the modern port of General Santos City is located.

Economy/Resources

The province is cant as an agricultural eden. The rich and fertile lands of Koronadal and Allah contain fields that produce rice and corn. An immense plantation of pineapples and bananas located at the town of Polomolok, near General Santos City, are one of their main sources of income. The vast water that surrounds the island particularly, Sarangani Bay catered a massive fishing industry.

Culture

The people of South Cotabato have diverse heritages. Ilonggos from Panay and Negros in the Visayas settled the municipalities of Norala, Banga, Surallah, Sto. Ninyo and the province's capital, Koronadal, and the Visayan languages Hiligaynon and Kiniray-a are the province's major communication media.One vivid example of this is the predominant use of the native 'malong', the colorful, tube like garment used as a skirt by the indigenous tribes, in place of a blanket or sleeping bag.

Climate

South Cotabato is a typhoon-free province where rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year while air humidity generally follows the rainfall pattern. The months from March to June are considered the hottest while December and January are the coolest.

Transportation

There are two ways for you to arrive on South Cotabato. One is a direct flight to Davao City and travel by land to Lake Sebu for a 6-hour ride. Second, also a direct flight to Gen. Santos City and the traveling time to the city is much shorter, only 2-hour ride.