General Santos is situated in the southern part of the country, in the province of South Cotabato. The city has a population of 535,747 as of the 2007, making it as one of the populous cities in the Philippines.

The city's economy is primarily agro-industrial. As a component of the SOCCSKSARGEN growth area, it has contributed much to the area's emergence as the country's leading producer of major commodities. Due to its rich soil, good rainfall and typhoon-free climate, the area is the largest producer of corn, coconuts, copra, pineapples, asparagus and rice. The area also produces other high value crops such as exotic fruits, potatoes, vegetables, cut flowers and okra. It accounts for the largest total daily fish landings in the country and is the leading producer of sashimi grade tuna. Residents boast that fish and seafood do not come fresher than in their city.

Accessibility
The city serves as the inbound destination for the sights, sounds and culture of SOCCSKSARGEN. Air, sea and land transport provides easy access to the key cities in the Philippines. The city is base to the Philippines' second largest airport-in-area and has one of the most modern seaports in the country.

Air
With a runway that can comfortably accommodate landings of the most modern wide-bodied aircraft. The GSC International Standard Airport can be reached direct from Manila, Cebu, Iloilo or via Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Davao through any Mindanao based flights. Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific operate in GenSan, setting links to a wide range of destinations.

Sea
GenSan's Makar Wharf is considered one of the best in the country. With a 740-meter docking length and a 19-meter width, the wharf connects the City to destinations within and outside the Philippines. Negros Navigation, WG&A and Sulpicio Lines provide the route while Indonesian shipping lines contribute their GenSan-Indonesian route for passenger and cargo traffic.

Land
Inbound and around SOCCSKSARGEN land travel is a fast and convenient ride. With more than 400 passenger buses and jeepneys wielding routes within, to and from the growth region, getting to your place of destination is a comfort. Tricycles - three wheeled motorcycles with side-cars, are the City's main mode of land transportation and has been in the road since the pioneering times. Air-conditioned taxis and rent-a-cars are also readily available. The Pan-Philippine Highway links GenSan to other Major cities in Mindanao and to the rest of the country.Its Peripheral places are Sarangani (Alabel, Maasim, Malungon); Sultan Kudarat; Lake Sebu; Marbel; and Polomolok.

Economy
There are 59 banks operating in the city composed of 46 commercial banks, 5 savings banks, 1 cooperative and 7 rural banks in 2000. Aside from this, there are 49 pawnshops providing emergency loan assistance and 48 lending institutions.

General Santos City registered 1,505 new medium to large enterprises in 2000. Aggregate investment involved is estimated to be around P 1.899 billion, generating 4,361 new employees. Of the total investments, 76.03% were for social and personal services, 9.77% in wholesale/retail trade business, 4.38% were in manufacturing while the least at 0.02% were invested in mining & quarrying.

Geography and Climate
General Santos City lies at the southern part of the Philippines. It is located at 6°7'N 125°10'E. The city is southeast of Manila, southeast of Cebu and southwest of Davao. The municipalities of Alabel, Malungon and Maasim of Sarangani Province and the municipalities of Polomolok and T'boli of South Cotabato surround the city. Fertile agricultural lands at 17,489 hectares are 32.63% of the city's total land area.

Climate is favorable. It is outside of the typhoon belt. Dominated by low plain areas and with evenly distributed rainfall, it is suitable for agricultural-based industries.

General Santos City is politically subdivided into 26 barangays.

* Baluan
* Buayan
* Bula
* Conel
* Dadiangas East (Pob.)
* Katangawan
* Lagao (1st & 3rd)
* Labangal
* Ligaya
* Mabuhay
* San Isidro (Lagao 2nd)
* San Jose
* Sinawal
* Tambler
* Tinagacan
* Apopong
* Siguel
* Upper Labay
* Batomelong
* Calumpang
* City Heights
* Dadiangas North
* Dadiangas South
* Dadiangas West
* Fatima
* Olympog

Source:

Wikipedia