A Diamond in the Making
Palawan is a well-known island in the Philippines located in the Southern Tagalog region. Puerto Princesa City is its capital and it is the largest Philippine province in terms of land area. It stretches from Mindoro up to Borneo while it is in between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea. It is a group of islands with the largest being the Palawan Island.
In 2007, it received citation as the only Philippine Island featured in the National Geographic’s Best Island Destinations in the East and Southeast Asia region also according to the magazine; it is the 13th best island in the world.
The diversity of landscapes and seascapes make the province more interesting than the others. Two of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found in Palawan. These two are the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
The Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park is where thousands of marine life species can be found. Many of these species are considered endangered. Some of the animals are manta rays, the lionfish, clownfish and even sharks. The marine park is established to nourish the reefs which serve as the nursing homes for the marine life. Its name “Tubbataha” is coined from two Samal words which literally mean “a long reef exposed at low tide”. It is considered to be the number one rival of the Great Barrier Reef. It is also a bird sanctuary where several species gather for the breeding season.
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is in the St. Paul mountain range. It is where various stalactite formations and stalagmites can be found. On December 4, 1999, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site List.
Palawan is truly an extraordinary island that is both modern and environmental. The place is so serene that it is the favorite site of many lovers and family outings. A good number of activities and surprises are also in store for travelers.
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