Allah Valley | |
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Area | 2,520 km2 (970 sq mi) |
Geography | |
Location | Mindanao |
Country | Philippines |
State | |
Region | Soccsksargen |
Population centers | |
Borders on |
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Coordinates | 6°25′N 124°42′E / 6.417°N 124.700°E |
Rivers |
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Source: area[1] |
The Allah Valley (at times also spelled Alah) is a large valley of the Allah River in the provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat on the island of Mindanao, Philippines. It is formed by the Roxas-Matulas Range in the north and the Daguma Mountain Range in the south.[1]
It is accessible via the Allah Valley Airport in Surallah, South Cotabato.[2]
The valley is known for its natural environment, such as Lake Sebu, Lake Holon, Baras Bird Sanctuary, and Esperanza Hot and Cold Springs.[3] On the other hand, it is adversely affected by flooding, siltation, riverbank migration, unstable agriculture production, and upland degradation,[1] as well as illegal logging.[4]
The entire valley was declared a watershed forest reserve in 1985 through the signing of Proclamation No. 2455. The 102,350-hectare (252,900-acre) protected area also includes Lake Sebu, the Tasaday-Manobo Special Forest Reserve, the Datu Ma Falen Civil Reservation, and the National Cultural Minorities Settlement Reservation located within the valley.[5]
The bestselling Lonely Planet described Lake Sebu as a place located in a “bowl of forests and mountains.” The 42,450-hectare landscape consisting the domains of the Allah Valley is recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a cultural landscape in Mindanao.[6]