The city was named after Gen. Paulino Santos, a former Commanding General of the Philippine Army and the settlement's leading pioneer.

The nomadic B'laan people are the original inhabitants of present-day General Santos, and traces of their early settlements of the area are found in the city's place names, which are derived from their vocabulary.

Organized under the National Land Settlement Administration (NLSA) of the Commonwealth Government headed by President Manuel L. Quezon, General Paulino Santos led the relocation of 62 Christian settlers from Luzon to the shores of Sarangani Bay aboard the steam ship “Basilan” of the Compañía Marítima on February 27, 1939.

The 62 pioneers, mostly agricultural and trade graduates, were the first large batch of settlers to land in the area with the mission to industriously cultivate the region.

During World War II, the Municipal District of Buayan become one of the last frontiers between the combined American and Filipino forces and troops from the Empire of Japan.

Retreating Imperial Japanese forces made Klaja Karsts Land their last ground for defence, constructing round cement bunkers and tunnels.

[8] Six years later, in June 1954, the Municipality of Buayan was renamed General Santos as a tribute to the leading pioneer via Act No.

From 1963 to 1967, the municipality's economy experienced a boom under Mayor Lucio A. Velayo, as several large agri-based and multinational firms such as Dole Philippines, General Milling Corporation and UDAGRI expanded into the area.

Even after becoming a highly urbanized city independent from South Cotabato in 1988, General Santos remained part of the province's congressional representation.

10021 authored by Representative Ferdinand Hernandez, that officially mandate General Santos as a lone district,[11] separate from South Cotabato was passed on third and final reading.

There are two major languages spoken in the city, with Cebuano being widely spoken and being used by the local media outlets in the city (television, radio, and newspapers), followed by Hiligaynon, which is used mainly by settlers who came from the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, North Cotabato and Maguindanao, as well as immigrants from the provinces of Negros Occidental, Iloilo and Guimaras.

[21] Poverty incidence of General Santos Source: Philippine Statistics Authority[22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The city's major economic activity is primarily anchored in two sectors namely the agro-industry and fishing industry.

Residents from nearby towns and provinces visit the city to do shopping and enjoy life and leisure activities.

Modern and state-of-the-art communication facilities at par with global standards are readily available and are provided in General Santos by major telecommunication companies in the country.

[33] Several shipping companies operate regular inter-island ferry service to and from other major ports in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

More than 400 passenger buses, public utility vans and jeepneys wield routes within the city and neighboring provinces like in Koronadal, Cotabato, Davao, Tacurong, Pagadian, Cagayan de Oro and others.

Three-wheeled motorized cabs known as tricycles are the city's main mode of public transport and have been on the road since the pioneering times.

Air-conditioned taxis also ply the city streets offering commuters a choice of a more comfortable mode of transportation.

Buses and other forms of public mass transportation—to and from various parts of Mindanao such as Koronadal, Tacurong, Cotabato, Davao, Kidapawan, Digos, Pagadian, and Cagayan de Oro.

The Philippine National Police, a military task force has been formed to protect the city from terrorist attacks and other crime.

Their commitment to improving educational opportunities for the people of Mindanao, as well as their ongoing dedication to public service and community development, has helped ensure that RMMC remains not just an academic institution, but also a force for good in the region.

The school's campus is located along Purok Nopol Road, Sitio Nupol, Barangay Conel in General Santos.

In 1992, Jovita Onez, a devout Catholic Christian from General Santos donated one hectare of land to the DST congregation.

Notable media publications in the city are the SusStar General Santos, Periodiko Banat, Sapol, and other local newspapers.