The Cebu Metropolitan Area or Metro Cebu is the main urban center of the island province of Cebu. The center is Cebu City, the oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Metro Cebu is located along the central eastern portion of the island including the nearby island of Mactan. It accounts for 20 percent of the land area and 57.5 percent of the population (2000 census) of the entire province of Cebu.

Metro Cebu is a metropolitan area that is centered on Cebu City, the capital of Cebu and the regional capital of Central Visayas with twelve surrounding cities and municipalities.Treasures of Cebu

Magellan’s Cross is the most famous of all historical landmarks in Cebu City. This cross was planted in Cebu shores by Ferdinand Magellan in April 14, 1521, marking the spot where the first Catholic Christians- Rajah Humabon, Queen Juana and about 400 followers were baptized by Fr. Pedro de Valderama.

The three bastions La Conception, San Ignacio de Loyola and San Miguel till today still stand on their corners.

The Taoist Temple located at Beverly Hills, Cebu City. This temple preserves the teachings of Lao-tse the 600 B.C. Chinese Philosopher. Everyday people climb its 99 steps to light joss sticks and have their fortunes read.

Cebu’s Plaza Independencia was formerly called “Plaza Libertad”. Strategically located between Fort San Pedro and the building that used to house the old Gobierno Provincial, it now becomes the most favored spot for picnics and trysts. Dominated by the obelisk of Legaspi, Plaza Independencia is Cebu’s most historically significant plaza.

The BASILICA MINORE DEL SANTO NIÑO, the only basilica in the Far East, is yet another historic landmark that will never cease to amaze its visitors. This Basilica was the former SAN AUGUSTIN CHURCH, built upon the order of by Don Legaspi and Fray Pedro de Urdaneta. The Basilica houses the country’s oldest religious image-the Miraculous Image of the Holy Child Jesus more popularly known as “SENOR SANTO NIÑO”.