Poso lies in the middle of the province on the shore of the Gulf of Tomini, right in the central part of Sulawesi Island.

[2] Poso began to develop as a small port town located at the mouth of the Poso River at the end of the 19th century—making it one of the oldest towns in Central Sulawesi, its presence was considered important for the Dutch to control the southern region of Tomini in the early days of their arrival.

Poso's central location has historically made it a strategic stopover point for travelers moving between the north and south, as well as the west and east of Sulawesi.

The inhabitants are dispersed from coastal areas to the mountainous regions, with trade and services serving as the primary economic activities.

Poso is crossed by the Trans-Sulawesi National Highway and served by Kasiguncu Airport, linking it to other cities in Sulawesi such as Palu and Makassar.