Country Profile

Cebu is a long narrow island stretching 140 miles from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller islands, that includes Mactan Island, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango, and the Camotes Islands. Of the hundreds of small islands some are uninhabited which make them popular with tourists.

Cebu is known for its narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains, all characteristics of a tropical island. Cebu also has predominant rolling hills, and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern, and southern lengths of the island. Cebu's steep mountains reach over 1,000 meters. Flat tracts of land can be found in the towns of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Daanbantayan at the northern region of the province.

Its capital is Cebu City, the oldest city in the Philippine Islands, which forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area together with four neighboring cities (Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City) and eight other municipalities. Cebu is served by Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Mactan Island, thirty minutes drive from Cebu City.

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.