Cotabato City

Cotabato City is one of the cities of the Philippines located in Mindanao. Cotabato City is an exclave of the SOCCSKSARGEN region found within the boundaries of Shariff Kabunsuan province, but is independent of that province. Cotabato City is distinct from and should not be confused with the province of Cotabato. Cotabato City is the regional center of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao but the city is actually part of the SOCCSKSARGENregion. Cotabato’s population was about 150,450 in 2000 census.

Cotabato is approximately 698.9 nautical miles (1294 km) from Manila, the country’s capital, and is bounded by the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat to the north—with Rio Grande de Mindanao separating the two—Kabuntalan to the east, and Datu Odin Sinsuat to the south. The city faces Illana Bay, part of the Moro Gulf, to the west. Cotabato City has a total land area of 176.0 square kilometers.

History
Cotabato City had witnessed more history than any other place in Mindanao. Its history dates back to the 15th century when Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab missionary, landed along the banks of the Rio Grande de Mindanao and introduced Islam to the natives. Islam was the faith that moved the early settlers to communal life, and to establish the Sultanate of Maguindanao with its golden age ushered in by Sultan Dipatuan Qudarat during the 17th century the time when Cotabato City developed as the capital town of Maguindanao. In the nineteenth century, when Sultan Makakua ruled, roads and wharfs were constructed which gave rise to the birth of modern day Cotabato. However, the then Municipality of Cotabato was first organized at the later part of the 19th century when the Spaniards established a military post at Barangay Tamontaka, one of the earliest Christian settlements.

The town was founded by the Spaniards in 1862 and named it in a Spanish equivalent of the word “fort.” Christianity was introduced in 1870 in the area. Almost a century later it became a city on July 10, 1959. During that time it was the capital of the undivided province of Cotabato. On July 1, 1950, the then Municipality of Cotabato was made first class municipality under Executive Order No. 466. Nine Years later, on June 20, 1959, it was created into a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 2364. Today, Cotabato City is the seat of two administrative regions: Region XII and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The City currently serves as the center for economic support activities (trade and finance), education and other support services such as social, physical, cultural and other basic services of Central Mindanao are offered in the city

Brief Overview of Cotabato City
Historical Background
Cotabato City had witnessed more history than any other place in Mindanao. Its history dates back to the 15th century when Shariff Kabunsuan, an Arab missionary, landed along the banks of the Rio Grande de Mindanao and introduced Islam to the natives. Islam was the faith that moved the early settlers to communal life, and to establish the Sultanate of Maguindanao with its golden age ushered in by Sultan Dipatuan Qudarat during the 17th century the time when Cotabato City developed as the capital town of Maguindanao. In the nineteenth century, when Sultan Makakua ruled, roads and wharfs were constructed which gave rise to the birth of modern day Cotabato. However, the then Municipality of Cotabato was first organized at the later part of the 19th century when the Spaniards established a military post at Barangay Tamontaka, one of the earliest Christian settlements. On July 1, 1950, the then Municipality of Cotabato was made first class municipality under Executive Order No. 466. Nine Years later, on June 20, 1959, it was created into a chartered city by virtue of Republic Act No. 2364. today, Cotabato City is the seat of two administrative regions: Region XII and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The City currently serves as the center for economic support activities (trade and finance), education and other support services such as social, physical, cultural and other basic services of Central Mindanao are offered in the city. Geography/Area and Location

Cotabato City is located on the northwestern part of Maguindanao Province. Approximately, it is 698.9 nautical miles from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. On the north, the city is bounded by the Municipality of Sultan Kudarat, with Rio Grande de Mindanao as its boundary; on the east by the Municipality of Kabuntalan; on the south by the Municipality of Datu Odin Sinsuat and on the west by the Illana Bay. Cotabato City has a total land area of 176.0 square kilometers. Climate

The city’s climate is generally characterized by more or less even distribution of rainfall throughout the year. Compared to other regions in the Philippines, Cotabato has the lowest frequency of very cloudy or over-cast days. The average temperature in Cotabato City is 25.5 C. Seasonal temperature varies from 27.1 C in April.

Tourist attractions
* Rio Grande de Mindanao. The second largest river in the Philippines and the longest in Mindanao crisscrossing, with its tributary, the city’s vast area. Estimated to be 182 kilometers long and 96 meters wide. Water sports and boat racing are the popular attractions of the river, usually held to coincide with the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival and the Feast of Hariraya Puasa. * Tamontaka Church – Built in 1872 of Spanish architecture and design. It is the oldest church in the city , a relic of the living past. * Lourdes Grotto – A replica of Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in France. The compound is equipped with a retreat house for recollection and seminars, a mini zoo and a children’s park. * Kutang Bato Caves – The only cave in the country that is right in the heart of the city.

Its various entrances, all within traffic a rarity that can only be had in the “Heart of Mindanao”. These caves were also the source of the city’s present name for “Kuta” means “Fort” and “Bato” means “Stone” hence the name “Fort of Stone” which later on became Cotabato. * Old Cotabato City Hall – A century old structure which houses almost all of the city government offices. It showcases the architectural design of the Maguindanaon Art. * Takumi Butai Memorial Shrine – A monument in honor of Takumi Butai and the Japanese soldiers who died here during the Second World War. Takumi was the Provincial Commander of the Japanese forces assigned in Cotabato City. Before he died, he requested that some of his ashes be buried in Cotabato City. This shrine was put up by the Lion’s Club of Kyoto, Japan in cooperation with the City Government of Cotabato.