Group of islands, central Philippines.
Covering 23,944 sq mi (62,015 sq km), they are surrounded by the Visayan, Samar, and Camotes seas. The main islands are Bohol , Cebu , Leyte , Masbate , Negros , Panay , and Samar . These islands and their smaller neighbours make up the central group of the Ph ilippine archipelago. Agriculture and fishing are important. The major urban centres are Cebu City on Cebu and Iloilo City on Panay.