The Philippine Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean, faces Davao Oriental to the east.

Part of the province lies on an unnamed peninsula that encloses Davao Gulf to the west.

The present territory of Davao Oriental was covered by the historical region of Caraga, which was partly under the Sultanate of Maguindanao.

An expedition was sent by the colonial government in Manila in 1847 to control the region, led by the Spaniard Jose Oyanguren, who settled in the town of Davao and organized the surrounding areas into the province of Nueva Guipozcoa in 1849.

[further explanation needed] In 1945, the Battle of Davao began with the combined forces of the British, Australian, Dutch and the Filipino troops of the 6th, 101st, 102nd, 103rd, 104th, 106th, 107th and 110th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and 10th Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Constabulary being supported by Davaoeño guerrilla fighter units in attacking Japanese Imperial forces during the liberation in Eastern Davao or Eastern Davao Campaign until the end of the Second World War.

To the east of the range lie narrow strips of coastal areas, which feature several inlets and bays.

Bikol Central is also spoken in parts of Mati Even some of the natives adhere to Christian faith (mostly Catholics), they are syncretic[clarification needed] in some of their beliefs.

Muslim Kagans traditionally inhabited the plains and coastal areas of the Municipalities of Banaybanay, Lupon, San Isidro, Governor Generoso, Mati and Tarragona.

[2] On March 20, 2018, Davao Oriental signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pionaire Finance Limited, a Hong Kong-based foreign firm for a $27-billion industrial park.