Visayas

The Visayas ( Cebuano and Waray - Waray in: Kabisay -an, Tagalog similar Kabisayaan, Spanish Bisayas ) are one of three island groups that together form the island nation of the Philippines. The other two island groups are Luzon in the north and Mindanao in the south.

The Visayas consist of three regions:

• Western Visayas (6 provinces, 7.112 million inhabitants)
• Central Visayas (4 Provinces, 5,400,000 inhabitants)
• Eastern Visayas (6 provinces, 4.236 million inhabitants)

The largest islands are Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Panay and Samar.

Population and language

Most people in the region belong to the ethnic group of the Visaya and speak one of Visayassprachen, which comprise more than 30 languages. This includes the largest with 20 million speakers of language, Cebuano, which itself is also designated as Bisaya or Visayan, Hiligaynon also continue with 7 million and Waray - Waray with 3 million speakers. In addition to the Visayan Islands, the language in the Bicol region, particularly on Masbate, the islands south of Luzon such as Romblon, large parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago is spoken.

Regions and Provinces

The Visayas are politically divided into three regions, which are subdivided into a total of 16 provinces.

Western Visayas (Region VI)

Western Visayas consists mainly of the island of Panay, and from the western half of Negros.

The provinces of this region are:

• Aklan
• Antique
• Capiz
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Negros Occidental

Central Visayas (Region VII)

Central Visayas includes the islands of Cebu and Bohol main and the eastern half of Negros.

The provinces of this region are:

• Bohol
• Cebu
• Negros Oriental
• Siquijor

Eastern Visayas (Region VIII)

Eastern Visayas is primarily from the islands of Leyte and Samar.

The provinces of this region are:

• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Eastern Samar
• Northern Samar
• Samar