Palawan was an archipelagic province located in the region of Mimaropa in the Philippines. Its capital was Puerto Princesa and it was the largest province in the country, with a total area of 14,649.73 km² (5,656.29 sq mi). In this topic we covered all information about Palawan Island.
Palawan was also known as “The Philippines’ Last Frontier” and “The Philippines’ Best Island.” The Palawan Islands extended between Mindoro Island to the northeast and Borneo Island to the southwest.
Palawan, lies between the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea. The province was named after its largest island, Palawan, which measures 450 km (280 mi) long and 50 km (31 mi) wide.
Palawan was proposed to be divided into 3 separate provinces in the year of 2019. But this was rejected by the local population in a 2021 poll. Calauit Island, a game preserve and wildlife sanctuary, is located in Palawan.
Palawan is home to different types of African animals and endangered native animals of Palawan. The game reserve and wildlife sanctuary were established on August 31, 1976, by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 1578, issued by the Ferdinand Marcos administration.
This was done in response to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) appeal to save African wildlife. Although the IUCN had a policy against relocating animals outside of their natural range and there is no record of it making such a request.
Popular information about Palawan Island
The Office of Palawan Council for Sustainable Development is responsible for managing the area.
Coron Reefs, Busuanga Island, and Coron Bay are popular tourist destinations in Palawan. The Coron Reefs, located in Northern Palawan near the town of Coron, are surrounded by a craggy limestone ridge. It contain 7 lakes that attract nature lovers.
The main town on Busuanga Island is Coron.
It was a jump-off point for numerous dive operators. Kayangan Lake is another tourist destination in Palawan. It is accessed by a steep 10-minute climb and has crystal clear waters nestled in the mountain walls.
The underwater area has a moonscape appearance. There is a little wooden walkway and platform for loading things if you go swimming. El Nido Marine Reserve Park, located in Palawan, was recognized as a top tourist destination by Travel and Leisure magazine, published by American Express Co., in January 2008.
The El Nido sister hotel resorts, El Nido Lagen Island, El Nido Miniloc Island, are located in Miniloc and Lagen Island.
There are partnered with Conservation International. These conservation-minded places are on a mission to protect the local environment. They have Guest cottages are set above the crystalline ocean.
Palawan Island is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, which was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1999. The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park was designated as a World Heritage Site in the year of 1993.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is also known as the Underground River.
It is an 8 km long tourist spot that showcases the limestone karsts and diverse species found in the tropical rainforest. It was one of the world’s longest underground rivers over there. It has also been named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers an area of 332 km². It includes the South Reefs and North Reefs. The atoll reef in this area is unique and has a high density of marine species.
Ursula Island, located near the municipality of Bataraza in southern Palawan, is a game refuge and bird sanctuary. It is a migratory and wintering ground mostly for seabirds and shorebirds. Rasa Island wild life sanctuary located in the municipality of Narra. It is a nesting ground for the endemic Philippine cockatoo, also known as the katala.
