Cebu

Cebu is a significant province located in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines.

It consists of one primary island and 167 surrounding islands and islets.

The coastal waters of Cebu are globally important. They are identified as a site of highest marine biodiversity within the Coral Triangle. This means the area supports a massive variety of sea life. Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the country. It has transformed into a major global hub for several different sectors. These include business processing services, tourism, shipping, and heavy industry. It is also known for furniture-making.

The province is divided into many different local government units. Cebu contains 53 total cities and municipalities. This is the highest number of combined cities and municipalities of any province in the Philippines. It also holds the second-highest number of cities, with nine in total. This rank is just behind the neighboring province of Negros Occidental. The largest city and capital is Cebu City. It is often called the "Queen City of the South." Cebu City is the oldest city in the Philippines. It also served as the country's first capital. While it is the main center, it is politically independent from the provincial government. Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu City also hold this independent status.

The name "Cebu" has an interesting possible origin. It may come from a hypothetical Proto-Philippine word, *sug(e)bu. This word is thought to mean "to bathe" or "to wade into the water." In the Cebuano language, the word *sugbú* means "to dive into water." This root word also exists in other languages like Tagalog and Hiligaynon. The modern spelling likely comes from how Europeans heard the name in the 16th and 17th centuries. At that time, the name was recorded as Zubu or Çubu. The spelling changed because many Visayans were illiterate during that period. Before European arrival, Cebu was a native kingdom. Folklore says it was founded by Sri Lumay, a man from Sumatra.

European contact began with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

Magellan was a Portuguese explorer working for the King of Spain. He sought to reach the Spice Islands by sailing west. In April 1521, Magellan befriended Rajah Humabon, a local chief. Magellan erected a large wooden cross on the shores of Cebu. He also persuaded many natives to ally with the Spanish. However, conflict arose with Datu Lapu-Lapu of Mactan Island. This led to the Battle of Mactan on April 27, 1521. During this battle, the Spaniards were defeated and Magellan was killed.

Spanish colonization continued when Miguel López de Legazpi arrived in 1565. He was prepared for war because of the previous defeat of Magellan. After some initial tension, the Spanish landed on the shore. During this time, a Spanish crew member found an image of the Child Jesus. This image was likely the one Magellan had presented years earlier.

The Spanish built a church on that site. This building eventually became the Minor Basilica of the Holy Child. By the 1800s, the population was growing steadily. An 1818 census showed 31,134 native Filipino families living in the area. The Spanish-Filipino population was also increasing, with many families living in Cebu City and the Parián.

Cebu has experienced many different political eras. In 1898, the island was ceded to the United States following major wars. It became a chartered city in 1937. During World War II, Cebu served as a base for Japanese soldiers. This was a very difficult time for the local people. In 1945, combined Filipino and American forces landed to liberate the island. Cebuano guerrilla groups played a major role in this process. One group, led by James M. Cushing, provided information known as the "Koga Papers." This information helped change American plans for retaking the Philippines. Cebu eventually achieved independence from colonial rule in 1946.

In modern times, Cebu is a vital economic and transport center. The Cebu Metropolitan Area, or Metro Cebu, is the third largest metropolitan area in the Philippines. It follows Metro Manila and Metro Davao in size. The province is also home to the Mactan–Cebu International Airport.

This is the second busiest airport in the entire country. The province continues to grow through its connections to trade and industry. It remains a central part of the Visayas region's economy and culture.