Cebu is the capital of the province of the same name in the southern Philippines, and was the site of the first Spanish settlement in the country. The city has a population of approximately 700,000 residents, while the population of the metropolitan area exceeds two million.

The capital city, which ranks as the second-most important economic centre in the country, lies on Cebu Island’s eastern coast. Industry, shipping and tourism form its economic base. This is the main domestic shipping hub, being home to over 80 per cent of the shipping companies plying the waters of the Philippine Islands. Cebu Airport is also the main air transport facility outside of Manila for international air service to the Philippines.