South Cotabato is a province of the Philippines located in Southern Mindanao Region. It is bounded on the north and on the west by Sultan Kudarat, on the east by the eastern part of Sarangani, on the south by Sarangani Bay and the western part of Sarangani. Topography consists of a vast valley from General Santos City to the municipality of Norala with high mountains in the northeast and the southwest. Mount Matumtum is the tallest mountain with a height of 2,293 meters followed by Mt. Busa (2,083) and Mt. Magolo (1,450). Climate in the southern part of the province is of Type IV while the northern part is of Type III. Type IV is characterized by rainfall which is more or less evenly distributed throughout the year while in Type III, seasons are not very pronounced, relatively dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

South Cotabato Provincial Capitol

The province is the original home of the colorful T'boli tribe. However, majority of the people are migrants from the Visayas and Luzon islands.

1. Emmanuel 'Manny' Pacquiao - Famous Filipino boxer
2. Melai Cantiveros - Movie and television actress, commediane

Agricultural production in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)

Animal inventory of South Cotabato in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand, rank among 79 provinces)

South Cotabato is home to vast pineapple plantations. Other products include durian, papaya, asparagus and other vegetables. The province has several fish processing plants especially tuna canning factories. The province is rich in mineral resources. A gold and copper mining project in Tampakan town which is located just south of the provincial capital, Koronadal City, is reputedly one of the largest in Asia. In 2007 there were 75 banks with total deposits of 17.7 billion pesos. Poverty incidence stood at 37.3%, a little higher than the national average of 32.9%.

The presence of General Santos City with its international airport and seaport makes the province an ideal alternative location to expand business to the Mindanao market. Its bustling fish processing and pineapple canning industries can be complemented by other allied industries such as packaging products, fertilizer, and feed. It would do well for the province to develop the shipbuilding industry in support to the fishing industry. Its vast and fertile agricultural lands still has room for further development to produce other commercial cah crops such as cassava, cacao, coffee, and cutflower. A modern cold storage terminal should be put up.

1. Polomolok - a picturesque town of pineapple plantations with Mt. Matumtum as a background.
2. Lake Sebu - has seven waterfalls and water lily plantations
3. Lake Maughan and Lahit
4. Cadidang Cave

Capitol photo credit to magazine.southcotabato.org

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