Located on the eastern shoreline of Moro Gulf, Cotabato City is the western gateway to the vast central plain of Mindanao. The city is situated on the mouth of the Rio Grande de Mindanao, the longest river in Mindanao Island. It is bounded on the north by the town of Sultan Kudarat, on the east by the municipality of Kabuntalan, on the south by the town of Datu Odin Sinsuat (Dinaig), and on the west by Yllana Bay of Moro Gulf. It is composed of 37 barangays spread in a land area of 176 square kilometers, almost as big as Quezon City.

The city is accessible by air, land, and sea. By air, it can reached in one hour and a half flight from Manila and only 45 minutes from Cebu City. By land, it is 4-hour drive from either Davao City or General Santos City and five hours from Cagayan De Oro City via Iligan and Marawi cities.

Cotabato City is an independent city and it is administratively a part of Region 12 or SOCCSKSARGEN. In terms of population, it is the second largest in the region and the 36th largest in the country (see comparison). The city is a melting pot of many different cultural groups. There are the originals, the Maguindanaoans and the migrants such as the Cebuanos, Ilonggos, Tagalogs, and Zamboanguenos.

Historically, Cotabato City is an old settlement dating back to the 15th century. Economically however, it has lagged behind other cities in Mindanao such as Davao City, Cagayan De Oro, and General Santos in terms of development. Although it has the basic infrastructure facilities like a domestic airport, seaport and the Maharlika Highway traversing it, it failed to attract investors during the past several years.

Being the commercial and financial center of the great plain of Central Mindanao, Cotabato City has the potential to become the food processing center of the region. Manufactured halal food products can be promoted not only for the local Muslim population but also for export to other countries especially in the Middle East. Bulk grain centers as well as cold storage facilities can be established. The city is riped for the establishment of an export processing zone and other commercial complexes. Other businesses that can be put up are the following:

1. Hotel and restaurant business
2. Cut flower
3. Rubber processing
4. Seaweed processing
5. fish canning and bottling
6. Oleochemical products
7. jewelry especially pearls
8. apparel and traditional fashion accessories
9. textile manufacturing
10. manufacturing of household items such as soap, plastic wares, and home decors

1. Kutawato Caves unique for its four entrances
2. Kutan Bato Cave
3. City Hall for its Maguindanao-inspired architecture
4. Timako Hill
5. Bongo Island for its beaches
6. Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine
7. Tamontaka Church - an 18th-century structure
8. Tantawan Hill has an old stone tower

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