Mabuhay!   Welcome online to Central Visayas!

Central Visayas is also known as Region 7. It is composed of 4 provinces namely Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. Located at the center of the Philippine Archipelago, it is bounded on the north by the Visayan Sea, on the east by the Camotes Sea, on the south by the Bohol Sea, and on the west by the province of Negros Occidental. Terrain is mostly hilly or mountainous with small patches of coastal lowland. Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year in northern Cebu and in the provinces of Bohol and Siquijor.The other areas of Cebu Province and northern Negros Oriental have no pronounced season while the southern part of Negros Oriental is dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year.

Central Visayas is the 5th most populous region in the Philippines. It is home to Cebuanos and Boholanos. Famous people from the region include Lapu-Lapu who killed Magellan, Presidents Sergio Osmena and Carlos P. Garcia.

Region VII is the 5th highest in Gross Regional Domestic Product (see comparison). Metro Cebu is the most important commercial and industrial center outside of Metro Manila. The international seaport of Cebu City and the Mactan International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City both in Cebu Province are second in importance to those of Metro Manila. Another international airport will soon rise in Bohol Province.

The region is home to Mactan Export Processing zone. Manufactured goods from Central Visayas include electronic products, precision instruments, sugar, processed foods especially dried mangoes, packaging materials, marine transportation equipment, furniture, and guitars. The region also has a long history of mining activities producing copper, gold, silver, limestone, and other mineral products.

Tourism is a major income earner for the region. Numerous beaches and resorts dot the coastal areas of the region's islands. Some luxury hotels are found in Metro Cebu. The Sinulog Festival held in January of each year is a major tourist drawer.

Although the contribution of agriculture has decline in percentage term, it is still the main source of income for more than a third of the region's population especially outside of Metro Cebu. Main products are rice, corn, sugarcane, coconut, mango, and banana. Other products include poultry, cattle, hog and fish.

Major tourist spots in Central Visayas Region

• Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island in Bohol
• Daanbantayan Island and Moalboal diving site in Cebu
• Siliman Campus and Apo Island in Negros Oriental
• Cantabon Cave and Salagdoong Beach in Siquijor