SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XII) is situated in the central and southwestern part of Mindanao bounded on the North by the provinces

of Lanao del Sur and Bukidnon; on the northwest by Maguindanao; on the southwest by Mindanao Sea; and on the east by Davao del Sur and Davao City. It has a total land area of 22,266.30 sq. km. Its area is about 22% of the total land area of Mindanao. Among the four provinces in the region, North Cotabato has the biggest land area at 8,650.43 sq. km., which is about 38% of the regions land area. The province of Sarangani has the smallest area among the provinces at 3,601.95 sq. km. Among the five cities of the region, Gen. Santos City has the biggest land area at 492.86 sq. km., while Tacurong City has the smallest with about 153.40 sq. km. Topographically, Region XII varies from flat, fertile plains to irregular landscape to wide valleys, scattered hills and intensive mountain ranges. About half of the total land area of the regions land resources fall within the 0-500m in elevation. It also has an extensive coastline which stretches to 320 kilometers. The mountain ranges of the region are located in the northern and eastern portions of Cotabato, and in the central and southwestern portions spanning through the three provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani. As for its climate, Region XII has a rainfall of more or less even distribution throughout the year with no pronounced rain periods. The region experiences high annual rainfall which ranges from 1,871mm/year to 2,876mm/year (considered moist). Rainfall patterns of the region contribute to the high production levels in agriculture. The region has extensive coastlines, valleys and mountain ranges. Known for its river system, the region is the catch basin of Mindanao. The system is a rich source of food, potable water and energy production. Cotabato contains the Rio Grande de Mindanao, which is the longest river in Mindanao and the second longest in the Philippines. The region used to be named kudaan. Prior to the creation of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, these provinces comprised the region: Maguindanao North Cotabato Sultan Kudarat

With the creation of ARMM, Lanao del Sur (excluding Marawi City) and Maguindanao (excluding Cotabato City) were removed from the region, leaving Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, and Marawi City and Cotabato City as constituent provinces and cities.

Lanao del Norte was later transferred to Northern Mindanao, while Marawi City became part of the ARMM. With the addition of South Cotabato and Sarangani or the (SocSarGen Province), transferred from Southern Mindanao, the region was renamed as SOCCSKSARGEN. The "Central Mindanao" name lives on as a description to the provinces populated by 65% Christians and 30% Muslim and 5% other Filipinos. LANGUAGES SPOKEN The dialect spoken is varied within the region. Cotabato City is the only province that uses Tagalog, while other dialects used in the region are Cebuano, Tboli, Blaan, Cotabato Manobo, Tagabanwa, Hiligaynon, Manguidanao, Chavacano. ETHNIC GROUPS Region XII is a melting pot of diverse cultures. Unique as it is, the different ethnic groups exercised cultural and religious tolerance resulting in their appreciation and peaceful and harmonious coexistence. The different ethnic tribes made Region XII famous for its distinctive ethnic culture. The original inhabitants of the region were the ICCs/IPs, who were scattered in different parts of the region. Cotabato which is located at the borders of Lanao del Surand Bukidnonto the north, Davao del Surand Davao City, Sultan Kudaratto the south, and Maguindanaoto the west has the Manobo, Obo-Manobo, Bagobo, Aromanen-Manobo Tribes scattered in different municipalities under its jurisdiction, Teduray Tribe in Pres. Roxas, Arakan, Cotabato City and Maguindanao Province (Maguindanao is presently under ARMM) and Blaan Tribe in Municipalities of Kabacan and Mlang. Sultan Kudarat which is bounded by Maguindanaoand Cotabatoto the north, Davao del Surto the east, and South Cotabatoto the south and to the southwest of the Celebes Seahas Manobo, ManoboDulangen, Tboli, Tboli-Ubo, Teduray and Blaan tribes. South Cotabato which is bordered by Sultan Kudaratto the north and west, Saranganito the south and east, General Santos Cityto the southeast, and Davao del Surto the east has Tboli, Blaan, ManoboTasaday and Maguindanao Tribes. Sarangani which is located at the borders of South Cotabatoto the north and Davao del Surto the east and to the south lies the Celebes Sea. The province is divided into two parts, separated by the Sarangani Bayhas Blaan, Tboli, Tagakaolo, Maguindanao, Manobo and Mandaya tribes.

EFFECT ON ECONOMICS The Philippines is a nation consisting of over 7,000 islands encompassing a land area of 116,000 Sq Miles. These mountainous islands are of a volcanic origin that endowed them with abundant natural resources including rich mineral and metal deposits, fertile soil, and a beautiful landscape ideal for a tourism industry. These geographic factors provide a wealth of opportunities for business and industry to utilize. However, this nations location and geography also leave it vulnerable to problems, such as typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, landslides, and cyclones. Despite that, the Philippines economy is growing yearly and has proved itself to be an up and coming nation of great economic potential. EFFECT ON CULTURE The Philippines is an archipelagic country made up of islands. Thus, it is smaller and surrounded by water. An island environment traditionally has placed some limits on population mobility. Many people even today have litte choice but to move into the fragile ecosystem of the highlands. Rainfall is the dominant climatic variable in Southeast Asia, since tropical temperatures in the lowland equatorial region are fairly similar throughout the year. Unless irrigation water from underground springs or rivers are available, the rice crop -- which sustains the region's population as a staple food -- is normally limited in the rainy season. The success of a culture is dependent on these rains and every year they vary. In some years, they may have a drought; and in others, the rain is an unstoppable torrent for days on end. This is another way that some Filipino cultures have learned to adapt to its environment. Filipinos have created a successful series of agricultural systems, some of which are geared to receiving rain only a few months of the year, while others receive heavy rain for long periods. EFFECT ON POLITICS