Mactan

Mactan is an island of the Philippine archipelago in the Visayas and extends east of the elongated island of Cebu in the streets of Cebu directly opposite the city of Cebu City and Mandaue City.

Geography

The island is part of Cebu Province and is divided into Lapu -Lapu City and the municipality of Cordova individually managed. The island is connected by two bridges, the connected Marcelo Fernan Bridge ( Mactan II Bridge ) and the older Mactan- Mandaue Bridge with the city of Mandaue City. 5 km to the southeast is the smaller island of Olango, separated by the Hilutungan channel in which the island is Gilutongan Iceland. The island of Mactan is considered one of the waters of Danajon - reef system in the south of the Camotes Sea. The island consists mostly as limestone, formed from ancient coral reefs, which at its northern, yet stretches of unspoilt coastline is also clearly visible.

Marcelo Fernan Bridge

The Marcelo Fernan Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge spanning the Mactan Channel.

Opened in August 1999, it relieves the traffic chaos, the old Mactan- Mandaue Bridge could no longer cope.

It has a span of 1,237 meters. The bridge is one of the longest and widest in the country. It was named in honor of Senator Marcelo Fernan, a major political figure from Cebu City.

History

Mactan is also known for the Battle of Mactan, the first battle between native Filipinos and Europeans and the associated death of Ferdinand Magellan during the first circumnavigation of the story.

Magellan was killed in a failed attack on the inhabitants of the island in 1521, at the hands of the tribal chieftain Lapu -Lapu, who refused to recognize the supremacy of Raja Humabon of Cebu and the Spanish crown.

More information

The island has, according to the census of 2000 a population of 251 051 people. The main language is Cebuano, also known as Visayan.

On Mactan is the second most important airport in the Philippines, the airport Mactan- Cebu, as well as freight and passenger port of Cebu City. The island is also known for the numerous undeveloped for tourism beaches, resorts and hotels.

The island is nationally known for their musical products, especially guitars and ukuleles.