The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines. Cebu is the Philippines' main domestic shipping port and is home to about 80% of the country's domestic shipping companies. Cebu also holds the second largest international flights in the Philippines and is a significant centre of commerce, trade and industry in the regions of Visayas and Mindanao.
Cebu City is the center of a metropolitan area called Metro Cebu, which includes the cities of Carcar, Danao, Lapu-lapu, Mandaue, Naga, Talisay. Metro Cebu has a total population of about 2 million people. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, located in Lapu-Lapu City is only a twenty-minute drive away from Cebu City. To the northeast of the city are Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion, to the west are Toledo City, the towns of Balamban and Asturias, to the south are Talisay City and the town of Minglanilla. Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City and an aquarium attraction are located.
History
On April 7, 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan landed in Cebu. He was welcomed by Rajah Humabon, the king of Cebu, together with his wife and about 700 native islanders. Magellan, however, was killed in the Battle of Mactan, and the remaining members of his expedition left Cebu soon after several of them were poisoned by Humabon due to threats of foreign occupation.
By 1569 the Spanish settlement in Cebu had become important as a safe port for ships from Mexico and as a jumping-off point for further exploration of the archipelago. Small expeditions led by Juan de Salcedo went to Mindoro and Luzon, where he and Martín de Goiti played a leading role in the subjugation of the Kingdoms of Tundun and Seludong in 1570. One year later, López de Legazpi departed Cebu to discuss a peace pact with the defeated Rajahs. An agreement between the conquistadors and the Rajahs to form a city council paved the way for the establishment of a new settlement and the construction of the walled city of Intramuros on the razed remains of Seludong.
On August 14, 1595, Pope Clement VIII created the diocese of Cebu as a suffragan to the Archdiocese of Manila.
On April 3, 1898, local revolutionaries led by the Negrense Leon Kilat rose up against the Spanish colonial authorities and took control of the urban center after three days of fighting{. The uprising was only ended by the treacherous murder of Leon Kilat and the arrival of soldiers from Iloilo.[4]
The signing of the Treaty of Paris at the end of the Spanish-American War provided for the cession of Cebu along with the rest of the Philippine islands to the United States until the formation of the Commonwealth Era (1935-1946). On February 21, 1899 the USS Petrel (PG-2) deployed a landing party of 45 men on the shores of Cebu. Cebu’s transfer to the Commonwealth government was signed by Luis Flores, although others, most notably, Gen. Arcadio Maxilom and Juan Climaco, offered resistance until 1901.
Cebu only became a chartered city in February 24, 1937. Many Philippine cities such as Dansalan (now Marawi), Iloilo City, and Bacolod City were only incorporated as such at that time (see Cities of the Philippines). Until then, Cebu City had never been more than a town since its original founding in 1565.
The city, along with the rest of the country came under Japanese occupation during WWII. The Japanese encountered some opposition there from guerrillas led by Col. James Cushing and the Cebu Area Command. It was finally liberated on March 1945. The military general headquarters of the Philippine Commonwealth Army and Philippine Constabulary was active on 1942 to 1946 and stationed in Cebu City during World War II.
Colon Street, the most highly-populated area in downtown Cebu City, was the site of fashionable shops, offices and movie houses. It was once the heart of Cebu City's shopping and business activity, but in recent years much of this activity has shifted inland to uptown areas. It is the oldest and the shortest national road in the Philippines. Colon also serves as transit point of public utility jeepney (PUJ) routes covering almost the entire places within the city.
Geography
Cebu City has a land area of 291.2 square kilometres (112.4 sq mi) and about 55.9 square kilometres (21.6 sq mi) is classified as urban, while 235.2 square kilometres (90.8 sq mi) is classified as rural, although all barangays are classified as urban. To the northeast of the city is Mandaue City and the town of Consolacion; to the west is Toledo City and the towns of Balamban and Asturias; to the south is Talisay City and the town of Minglanilla.
Across Mactan Strait to the east is Mactan Island where Lapu-Lapu City is located. Further east across the Cebu Strait is the Island of Bohol.
Mactan is an island located a few kilometres from Cebu Island in the Philippines. The island is part of Cebu Province and it is divided into Lapu-Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova. The island is separated from Cebu by the Mactan Channel which is crossed by two bridges: the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Mactan-Mandaue Bridge. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport, is located in the island.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mactan
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On our voyage from Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City to Yawata, japan our vessel passed about a mile to 3 miles from the islands of Bohol, Mactan and Olango island in Hiluntangan Channel. Below were some photos during our passage.
( You can enlarge the images by double clicking it with your PC mouse. )
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Related web posting :
View from the sea of Balicasag island and Panglao island, Bohol.
Wildlife
Sanctuary at Olango Islands, Cebu - 18th Nov. 2012
YOUTUBE VIDEOS :
View of Cebu City and Mactan Island
The Battle of Mactan
It's More Fun in CEBU PHILIPPINES
Lapu Lapu - The Movie (1 of 13)
