CEBU

Population

5th largest (excludes the highly-urbanized cities of Cebu City, Lapu-lapu City, and Mandaue City.) Total (2007) 3,848,919 (includes highly-urbanized cities) Area 19th largest Total 5,088.4 km sq

languages

Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and Spanish.

General Information

Cebu is one of the provinces of the Philippines. It is located to the east of Negros island; to the west of Leyte, and Bohol islands. It is located on both sides by the straits of Bohol (between Cebu, and Bohol), and Tanyon (between Cebu, and Negros). Cebu, often called the "Queen City of the South", is located at the center part of the Philippine archipelago. Surrounded by the 166 smaller islands and Mactan, Bantayan and Camotes are the largest. Cebu has a Roman Catholic Archdiocese, and has several major churches, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Ninyo, the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, the San Carlos Church, the Santo Rosario Parish Church, San José-Recoletos Church, Sacred Heart Church, and among others; as well as several other non-Catholic churches, mosque, and temples.

Economy

Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, and the main center of commerce, trade, education, and industry in the central, and southern parts of the islands. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centers, and shopping malls.Agriculture was its main industry and the prime corn producer. Coconut, sugarcane, abacca, bananas, tobacco and rootcrops are their secondary products. They also produce grapes, mangoes and cut flowers. The Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corporation located in the town of Toledo is the third largest mines in the world. Deposits of gold, silver, iron and coal are found there.

Geography

The topography of Cebu is characterized by narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains but with predominant rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern and southern lengths of the island. Although Cebu's steep mountains reach over 1,000 meters, the island lacks substantial forest cover. In the towns of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin and Daan Bantayan at the northern tip of the province,considerable flat tracts of land are found. Of the three biggest islands, Mactan and Bantayan are relatively flat while Camotes is hilly. Located between 9 degree 25' N & 11 degree 30' N and between 123 degree 25' E & 124 degree 30'E in the center of the archipelago. Cebu is 365 miles south of Manila and can be reached in an hour through air travel.

Culture

Cebuano culture is laid back and easy going; the people are friendly and have preserved strong Spanish-oriented traditions in its cultural life to this very day

Climate

Cebu’s climate is subtropical, with temperature and rainfall fairly evenly distributed throughout the year.Typhoon activity is minor compared with other parts of the Philippines.

Transportation

The province can be accessed by air or by sea. Philippine Airlines provides daily flight to Cebu City and other airline companies which offers chartered flights. Shipping Lines like Willian Lines, Sweet Lines and Aboitiz serviced Manila to Cebu route twice a week.

Industries

Copper and dolomite mining, industrial parts assembly, food processing, footwear, handicraft, rattancraft, woodcraft, metalcraft, garments, shellcraft, ceramics, basketware, rattan and wicker furniture, cement, costume jewelry, giftware, fertilizer, stonecraft, food products and preserves, electronic devices, transistors and diodes, vehicle assembly, agricultural products. In 1997, Central Visayas recorded a total of P8,261 million worth of investments, with Cebu seizing the bulk of income generated from investment amounting to P7,695 million.