It comprises the districts of Kota Kinabalu (also the largest city and capital of Sabah), Penampang, Tuaran, Papar and Putatan.

The region itself consists of narrow coastal plain of average width of 10 km and is scattered with low-rise hills.

Penampang (combined with Putatan sub-district) is the most densely populated district within the region, followed closely by Kota Kinabalu.

Industrial activities are primarily concentrated in Kota Kinabalu adjacent to the city's primary transshipment port (in Sepanggar).

Offshore, there are currently several active oil and gas drilling operations by major energy companies such as Petronas and Royal Dutch Shell.

Despite the sporadic usage of the term in some public policy documents, there is no firm groundwork to establish a dedicated singular body that can represent or govern areas under Greater Kota Kinabalu, to address shared challenges such as meeting population growth needs and minimising development impact on sensitive areas.

The proposal was a long-term measure to meet the expected increase of water usage demand in the state's west coast.

[11] The proposal has been met with fierce objection by the locals residing in the area citing that the realisation of the project would mean loss of land which has been settled for generations.