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  Palawan island lies on the southwest of the Philippine archipelago and is just north of Malaysia's Sabah Island. It is 400 kilometers long but only 40 kilometers wide. At one of the city center's higher hills, you can have a commanding view of the South China and Sulu Seas on both sides of the island. It consists of 1,769 islands and islets divided into three major island groups: the Calamian island group to the north; the Cuyo island group in the northwest; and the Balabac-Bugsuk group in the southwest. Palwan's capital is Puerto Princesa. Palawan is known for its white sand beaches, magnificient landscape, rainforests and fishing villages. It is sometimes called the "Philippine Outback". The two buzzwords of modern travel, eco-tourism and adventure travel, are things which, just like the beaches, forests, and coral reefs, Palawan has in abundance. The province has several sites whcih attract divers from variuous parts of the world. More importantly, Palawan's attraction lies in the presence of marine and wildlife in the island. The province boasts of having the biggest reservation of Philippine wildlife and has earned the title "Haven of Rare Philippine Wildlife". Other points of interest include: St. Paul Subterranean National Park which also has an underground river; Tabon Caves, where fossils and crude tools of ancient man dating some 50,000 years were unearthed; Ursula Island, a bird's paradise and sanctuary; Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, a rehabilitation farm established for prisoners; El Nido village, which boasts of beautiful beaches and diving sites and the town noted for edible bird's nest, the prime ingredient for the Chinese Nido Soup. |
