Cebu, Philippines

Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu, and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte, and Bohol islands. It is located on both sides by the straits of Bohol (between Cebu, and Bohol), and Tañon (between Cebu, and Negros). Cebu is located between 9°25'N, and 11°15'N latitude, and between 123°13'E, and 124°5'E longitude in the center of the Philippines. Cebu is a long narrow island stretching 225 kilometers (140 mi) from north to south, surrounded by 167 neighboring smaller islands, that includes Mactan, Bantayan, Malapascua, Olango, and the Camotes Islands. Cebu Island has a narrow coastlines, limestone plateaus, and coastal plains. It also has predominant rolling hills, and rugged mountain ranges traversing the northern, and southern lengths of the island. Cebu's highest 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 Philippines which forms part of the Cebu Metropolitan Area together with four neighboring cities which include Danao City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City, and eight other municipalities. Cebu's infastructure is served by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport located in Mactan Island. Cebu is one of the most developed provinces in the Philippines, with Cebu City as the main center of commerce, trade, education, and industry in the central, and southern islands of the Visayas. It has five-star hotels, casinos, white sand beaches, world-class golf courses, convention centers, and shopping malls. The UK-based Condé Nast Traveler Magazine named Cebu the seventh best island destination in the Indian Ocean-Asia region in 2007 eighth best Asian-Pacific island destination in 2005, and seventh in 2004.