POPULATION
Based on the 2000 census, Region XI had a total population of 5,125,000 most of who are migrants from the Visayas and other provinces and their descendants.
This was an increase of 10% from its 1995 population of 4,604,158.

CULTURAL GROUPS
The region is an in-migration area, with a mixture of migrants, which include Cebuanos, Ilonggos and Ilocanos. Its ethnic groups include Manobos, Bagobos, Maiisakas, Maguindanon, T’boli, Tirurays and a few Muslims.

CLIMATE
The region has a generally uniform distribution of rainfall through the year. It lies outside the typhoon belt.

LAND USE
More than 50% of the total land area are timberland and forest reserves. Its rich fertile land, good climate, and more than 35 river basins, lakes and other water resources make it a good area for agriculture.

NATURAL RESOURCES
Aside from its forestland and fertile fields, Southern Mindanao has mineral resources of chrornite, iron, nickel, and manganese, gold, copper and other non-metallic minerals. Five of the major fishing grounds of the Philippines are located in the region.

ECONOMY
While the region’s economy is predominantly agri-based. it is now developing into a center for agro-industrial business, trade and tourism. Its competitive advantage is in agri-industry as its products, bananas, pineapples, fresh asparagus, and fish products are exported abroad. The region can be a vital link to markets in other parts of Mindanao, Brunei Darussalam and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.

There is a gradual shift to industrialization as shown with industry’s growth rate of 8.1% in 1996. Other economic activities are mining, fishery, forestry and agriculture.

SOSKSARGEN or South Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-Sarangani province-General Santos City is the new name of SOCSARGEN or South Cotabato, Saragani Province and General Santos City. As a growth area, Gen. Santos is supposed to be the site of major infrastructure facilities such as the airport and seaport. Cotabato and Sarangani provinces are production and agri-processing centers.

FACILITIES
The region’s principal ports are in Sasa and Sta. Ana in Davao City and the port of Nakar in General Santos City. Infrastructure developments in the two cities are considered excellent.

The airports in Davao City and General Santos city are the largest and most developed in Mindanao. The region is accessible by land, air and sea. The region has adequate communications facilities, reliable power and an abundant water supply.

Telecommunication services including satellite and microwave links are well provided in the cities. Its irrigation facilities increased to 72% in 1996.

A 100 MW land based power plant in Sangali, Zamboanga City has addressed the power crisis of the 1990s. As of 1996, all carriers in the region have already installed 30,514 telephone lines with a working capacity of 18,549 lines.

Land, air and water transport are available in the region. Buses and jeepneys are the main land transport. Inter-island ships and airlines service passengers to and from Manila, Cebu, Zamboanga and other island provinces. Telecommunication facilities are provided by both the government and private sectors. Cities also have post offices and telegraph stations.

Southern Mindanao’s centers of trade, commerce and education are Davao City, the regional capital; Gen. Santos City and Koronadal in South Cotabato and the capital towns of Mati in Davao Oriental, Digos in Davao del Sur and the City of Tagum in Davao del Norte .