Cebu Travel Guide

Cebu is the Queen City of the South and the country's oldest city dating back to Magellan's arrival in 1521. Growth was slow until the mid-19th century, when increasing trade caused rapid development. Today Metropolitan Cebu extends over 350 square kilometers, with five cities and municipalities and a population of more than 1 million.

Cebu (Sugbo) is the name given to the city, the metropolis, the island, the province. Cebu Province is made up of 48 municipalities and 5 cities - Cebu, Danao, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue and Toledo - with Cebu City as its capital. Cebu Island is a sliver of an island centrally located in the Visayas region of the Philippine archipelago, 365 miles south of Manila. Metropolitan Cebu is a complex of 3 cities and 6 municipalities with a population of over 1 million. Cebu City is the oldest Philippine city, and is also called the "Queen City of the South". As the first Spanish settlement, it was called Ciudad del Santissimo Nombre de Jesus.

The entire province has a total land area of 508,844 hectares, and its temperature averages 27 ° C all year round. The languages/dialects spoken are Cebuano Tagalog and English.

Cebu is also the diving center of the Philippines with magnificent coral formations, spectacular marine life and drop-offs plunging to blue nothingness. Fine weather all year round makes Cebu a favorite for water sports. Swim, snorkel & dive; windsurf, sail or ski; ride the waves, stroll along the beach, get a glorious tan. Revel in Cebu's sun, sand, sea & sky!

Language: The locals speak Cebuano - a dialect common in Visayas and Mindanao region. Pilipino (also known as Tagalog) is the national language, however English is widely used.

Carcar town, just south of Cebu City, has many preserved Castillian houses, gardens, and churches.

The Chapel of the Last Supper in Mandaue City, just off north of Cebu City, features hand-carved life-size statues of Christ and his apostles dating back to Spanish times.

The Magellan Monument in Mactan Island was raised in 1886 to mark the spot where Magellan died, who was killed in the fierce battle of  Mactan. Datu Lapu-lapu, the chieftain in Mactan, who refused to submit to the Spanish Conquistadoris. There is also a Monument of  Datu Lapu-lapu honoring him as the first Filipino patriot to repel the first European aggression. Maribago is the center of the region's guitar making industry. As well as many histrorical sites there are popular hotels, beach clubs and resorts.

For good independent travel info on Cebu try: www.cebulifestyles.com

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