Mactan - a small island located a few kilometers off the east coast of the island of Cebu opposite the eponymous town. Mactan and Cebu are connected by bridges and Marcelo Fernan Mactan-Mandaue. The island is part of the province of Cebu and is composed of two major cities - Lapu-Lapu City and Cordova. It is located in the Mactan Cebu International Airport, is the second largest in the Philippines.

Prior to the Spanish colonization of Mactan in the 16th century on the island lived mainly Muslim communities. In 1521, here came the Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan, who became embroiled in feuds and tribal leader was killed by Lapu-Lapu. Later on the spot death of Magellan it was built 30-meter memorial to his name.

In 1730, monks from the Augustinian Order founded the city on Mactan Opon, which in 1961 was renamed in Lapu-Lapu City in honor of the militant leader, revered by Filipinos as a fighter for independence.

Today Mactan is a major industrial center - there are about 35 companies, many of which are considered among the most successful in the country. Interestingly, more than half of these companies belong to the Japanese. It produces furniture, ukuleles and other musical instruments.

But, of course, one of the leading roles in the island's economy plays tourism. Primarily known as Mactan resort with many beautiful beaches, historical attractions and entertainment venues. The proximity to the island's capital - the city of Cebu - influenced the development of the local tourism infrastructure. There is only one in the Visayas region of the aquarium.

Since Mactan - a coral island, is very popular variety of water sports: diving, snorkelling, jet ski, windsurfing. Mactan and the neighboring island Olang Hilutangan shared channel to a depth of 300 meters, which is probably the main "diving" attraction of the island. Among other well-known dive sites Mactan be noted coral reef on the hotel Shangri La Mactan, wall Vista Mar to a depth of 40 meters, a sandy slope Tambuli, the bottom of which lie the remains of the plane, Whale Rock, wall Kon-Tiki and the underwater cave Marigondon.