Archipelago Visayas Population 430000 (2013) Adjacent bodies of water Camotes Sea, Cebu Strait | City and Municipality Lapu-Lapu
Cordova Island group Visayas | |
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Largest settlement Lapu-Lapu (pop. 350467) Pop. density 6,615 /km (17,133 /sq mi) Ethnic groups Visayan (Cebuano) and other ethnic groups. Points of interest Lapu‑Lapu Shrine, Mactan Island Aquarium, Cebu Happy World Mu, Magellan Shrine, Magellan's Marker Similar Boracay, Siargao, Malapascua, Sinulog, Fort San Pedro | ||
Mactan island guide and mactan resorts
Mactan or Maktan is a densely populated island located a few kilometres (~1 mile) 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 island covers some 65 square kilometres (25 sq mi) and is home to some 430,000 people, making it the nation's most densely populated island. Along with Olango Island Group, the isles are administered as 1 city and a municipality covering 75.25 square kilometres (29.05 sq mi).
Contents
- Mactan island guide and mactan resorts
- Map of Mactan Philippines
- History
- Economy
- Tourist attractions
- References
Map of Mactan, Philippines
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is located on the island.
History
The island was already a thriving settlement before it was colonized by Spain in the 16th century. Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan arrived on the island in 1521 and became involved in warfare among the kingdoms, only to be killed in battle by the warriors of Datu Lapu-Lapu, the sovereign in the island.
By 1730, the Catholic Augustinian friars established the town of Opon, that was later renamed as the city of Lapu-Lapu by means of the Republic Act 3134, signed by Pres. Carlos P. Garcia on June 17, 1961. Congressman Manuel A. Zosa, the representative of the Sixth District of Cebu, sponsored the Bill converting the former municipality of Opon into the present day City of Lapu-Lapu.
Economy
Apart from the airport, today the island is known for its industrial factories, which are some of the most successful industrial ventures in the Philippines. Many of them are located at the Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ), an industrial tax-free zone opened in 1979 that includes over 35 business ventures, about 50 percent of which are Japanese-owned.
Also important to the island is its high-class tourism industry and the production of furniture, as well as guitars, ukuleles and other musical instruments.
Tourist attractions
Being one of the major tourist Islands of Cebu, Mactan Island boasts of a diverse collection of tourist spots and attractions. Being a coral island, Mactan offers some of the best diving, snorkeling, island hopping, jet ski, sailing and cultural activities of any island in the Philippines.
The only aquarium attraction in the Visayas is also located on the island.