Cebu is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas Region (Region VII) of the Visayas. The province covers roughly 4,943.72 square kilometers and is composed of 44 municipalities, 6 component cities, and a total of 1,066 barangays. The capital of the province is Cebu City, which also serves as the regional center of Central Visayas. The name Cebu is derived from the Cebuano word 'sugbu,' meaning 'to dive into water,' reflecting the area's maritime heritage.

History

Cebu was originally inhabited by indigenous Austronesian-speaking peoples, organized into barangays led by chieftains called datus. The early Cebuanos had a thriving maritime culture and engaged in trade with neighboring Southeast Asian polities, China, and the Malay Archipelago. They practiced animism and revered nature spirits. In 1521, Ferdinand Magellan arrived in Cebu, establishing contact with Rajah Humabon and converting some locals to Christianity, but he was killed later that year in the Battle of Mactan against Lapu-Lapu, who resisted Spanish control. In 1565, Miguel López de Legazpi formally established Cebu as the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, making it the first capital of the colony. The Spaniards introduced Christianity, built churches such as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, and integrated Cebu into the galleon trade network, cementing its role as a center of religion, governance, and commerce in the Visayas. During the Philippine Revolution against Spain, Cebuano revolutionaries participated in the struggle for independence. After Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States in 1898, American forces occupied Cebu, introducing public education in English and modernizing infrastructure, which further boosted trade and development. During World War II, the Japanese occupied Cebu, but guerrilla forces resisted until the island was liberated in 1945. Post-war Cebu grew rapidly, with Cebu City becoming a major commercial, educational, and cultural hub. Today, Cebu is recognized for its historical landmarks like Magellan's Cross, its flourishing tourism, commerce, and industry, making it a key economic and cultural center in the Visayas while preserving its rich historical heritage.