The province of Cebu is a group of islands located at the very center of the Philippine Archipelago. Its neighboring islands are Masbate in the north, Leyte in the east, Bohol in the south, and Negros in the west. The main island is approximately 250 kilometers long and 45 kilometers at its widest point. Its territories include the islands of Bantayan, Mactan, Malapascua, Camotes, Olango and other smaller islands. Hills and mountains dominate the interior landscape while the coastal areas have narrow flat lands. The northern part of the province receive rainfall the whole year round while the central and southern parts experience relative dryness from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Cebu Provincial Capitol

1. Sergio Osmena - President of the Republic.
2. Marcelo Fernan - Supreme Court Chief Justice (1988 - 1991), Senator
3. Hilario Davide - Supreme Court Chief Justice (1998 - 2005)
4. Mariano Jesus L. Cuenco - Senate President (1949 - 1951)
5. Casimiro Del Rosario - 1982 National Scientist
6. Redford White - Actor, Commedian
7. Marco Alcaraz - Actor
8. Manilyn Reynes - Actress, Singer
9. Vina Morales - Actress, Singer
10. Jackie Lou Blanco - Actress
11. Shaina Magdayao - Actress
12. Isabel Oli - Actress
13. Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde - One of the greatest Filipino boxers; from Bogo City

Outside Metro Cebu, farming and fishing are the major source of employment.

Agricultural production of Cebu in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand metric tons, rank among 79 provinces)

Animal inventory of Cebu in 2007 are as follows (figure in thousand, rank among 79 provinces)

As the premier province of the south, Cebu is home to many large manufacturing enterprises. It has shipyard in Balamban town, glass factory in Mandaue City, gun industry in Danao City, electronics and timepiece factories in the Mactan Export Processing Zone of Lapu-Lapu City, and furniture plants elsewhere in Cebu. The Norkis Group of Companies have established car and motorcycle plants. Mining is an old industry in the province particularly around or the area of Toledo City. Tourism is a big time industry and still growing. Recently, the capital city of Cebu has been chosen as a top location for business process outsourcing (BPO).

As of 2007, a total of 391 banks were operating in the province, the highest number of banks in a single province. Total deposits amounted to 159 billion pesos. Poverty incidence stood at 28.2% in 2006, below the national average of 32.9%.

The province has all the necessary infrastructure for any kind of business. Its central location in the south and its large urban population has made it the favorite location of regional offices of the country's largest corporations. It has international airport and seaport to cater to the needs of foreign investors and tourists. Its fine beaches, diving sites, and waterfalls qualify it as a tropical paradise.

1. Argao town - it has beaches and an 18th century church
2. Balamban - site of a national park
3. Church of St. William - in Boljoon
4. Kawasan Falls - in Matutinao
5. Malapascua Island - one of the few consistent sites for Thresher Shark
6. Moalboal - a popular diving site
7. Montalongon - has beautiful flower and vegetable gardens
8. Nalusuan Beach Resort - in Cordova
9. Olango Island - the stop-over of over 50,000 migratory birds
10. Sogod beaches and resorts
11. Sumilon Island - has coral reefs and is the site of a marine reserve

Capitol photo credit to mustbethatgirl.blogspot.com

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