Welcome to Palawan, Philippines

MINI-PROFILE
CAPITAL : PUERTA PRINCESA
AREA : 1,489,655 HEC.
POPULATION : 640,486
CITY : 1
NO. OF MUNICIPALITIES : 22

I. OVERVIEW
Palawan, the country's last frontier, is blessed with 1,768 islands and islets most of which have irregular coastlines that make excellent harbors. Quite fittingly, on its almost 1.5 hectare land area stands Nature in all her virgin-glory wrapped in a mantel of rainforests, majestic mountains, primeval caves, and untrodden beaches. Palawan is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life, hence, the island province has been declared a nature sanctuary.

Palawan is the country's largest province not only in terms of land area but also of natural resources, which attract local and foreign visitors of either business or tourism inclinations. Its stunning, pristine beauty is unsurpassed. Palawan boasts of exotic flora and fauna like the mouse deer and the scaly ant eater are found nowhere else. Palawan waters are among the best in the world not only for diving but also for fishing. Many Manila-based fishing operations have built fortunes from the flourishing fish trade, supplying Manila other parts of Luzon with produce from the sea.

Today, the number of leisure travellers to the province continues to grow, especially those drawn to underwater sports, mountain-trekking and exploring. A Japanese and Filipino partnership have even built a resort in El Nido, famous for it's cliffs which house the swift, a bird species that makes the famous edible bird's nest. Anthropologists also found the biggest and best known skull of the oldest Filipino, the Tabon Man (approximately 22,000 years old), high up in the cool recess of Tabon Cave Quezon 157 kilometers southeast of the provincial capital.

A diver's paradise, Palawan has miles of sub-surface coral and rainbow reef walls which surround the costs and coves teeming with a multitude of marine life. The province also boasts of extraordinary scenic wonders like the St. Paul Underground River, the Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary and the Honda Bay Islands, among others.

Palawan engages in the nation's most intensive environmental program. The provincial government has mobilized its citizenry to actively participate in various environment conservation and protection programs such as : the "Bantay Gubat" for forests and the "Bantay Dagat" for the seas.

A. Brief History
The history of Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago as confirmed by the discovery of fossils of the Tabon Cave Man in the municipality of Quezon. Although the origin of the cave dwellers is not yet established, anthropologists believe they came from Borneo. There are several versions regarding the origin of the name "Palawan". Some contend that it was derived from the Chinese worl "Pa-Lao-Yu" meaning "Land of Beautiful Harbors". Others believe that it came from the Indian word "Palawans" meaning "Territory". Still others say that it was derived from a plant which the natives called "Palwa". But popular belief is that, "Palawan" is a corrupted from the Spanish word "Paragua" because the main island's shape resembles a closed umbrella.

Political History
A form of indigenous civilization developed in the island preceding the coming of the Spaniards, wherein the natives has their non-formal from of government, an alphabet and a system of trading with sea-borne merchants. When the Spaniards came, the northern portion of the province was assigned as the Calamares Group, while the Southern portionn remained part of the Sultanate of Sulu in the 16th century. The Spaniards built a stronghold in Taytay, as evidenced by a fortress called Fort SantaIsabel, which in 1818 was appointed the capital of Calamanes province.

However, it was American who established the province of Paragua in 1902, with Cuyo as the capital. Eventually in 1905, the name was changed to Palawan and the capital moved to Puerto Princesa by virtue of Republic Act 1363.

B. Geography
Palawan is approximately 586 kilometers southwest of Manila, between Mindoro Island on the North, Borneo on the South, China Sea on the west, and Sulo Sea on the east. Its total and area of 1,489,655 hectares is spread across the peripheral islands of Busuanga, Culion,Linapacan, Cuyo, Dumaran, Cagayanes, and Balabac. Its main island measures 425 kilometers long and averages 40 kilometers wide. Puerto Princesa, the capital City, is the chief seaport and the center of trade and commerce.

A chain of mountain ranges cut down the length of the main island. The mountain eights average 3,500 in altitude with the highest peak rising to 6,800 feet at Mount Matalingahan. The vast mountain areas are the source of valuable timber. The terrain is a mix of coastal plain, craggy foothills, valley deltas, heavy forest interperesed with riverine artiries that serve as irrigation.

C. Political Subdivision
The province is subdivided into one city, Puerto Princesa, and 22 municipalities:

Municipalities of Palawan

Aborlan - Agutaya - Araceli - Balabac - Bataraza - Taytay - Busuanga - Cagayancillo - Coron - Cuyo -
Dumaran - El Nido - Espanola - Kalayaan - Linapacan - Magsaysay - Marcos - Narra - Quezon - San Vicente - Roxas Brooke's Point

Eleven (11) municipalities are located in the mainland, while 11 others are island municipalities which are accessible by motorized bancas and barges plying the neighboring municipalities from Puerto Princesa City.

D. Climate
The province has two types of climate: the first type which occurs in the northern and southern extremities and the entire western coast, has two distinct seasons - six months dry and six months wet. The other type, which prevails in the eastern coast, has a short dry season of one to three months and no pronounced rainy period during the rest of the year. THe southern part of the province is virtually free from tropical depressions, but northern Palawan experiences torrential rains during the months of July and August. Summer months serve as Peak season for Palawan viewing. Sea voyage is most favorable from March to early June when the seas are calm.

E. Population
Palawan's total population is 640,486 based on the National Statistics Surveys with the growth rate of 3.67 percent annually. This figure includes native Palaweños and migrants from the various provinces within and outside Region IV.

Palawan is the melting pot of 81 cultural groups and races who lives together in peace and harmony. Generall, the people are of Malay origin, but there is a strong influence from Borneo, China and the Middle East.

Eighteen percent of the populace is composed of the following cultural minority groups: Tagbanua, Palawan, Batak, Ken-uy or Tao't Bato. The Muslim group is represented by the Jama-Mapuns, Molbog, Tausug and Samal-Bangingi tribes.

The native born Palaweños still predominate the populace. They are characterized as very religious with a highly developed community spirit. They place a high value in education and are influential in shaping the political, cultural, social, and economic life the province. Next predominant groups are the Muslim and the Bataks.

F. Language/Dialects
There are 52 dialects in the province, with Tagalog being spoken by 28 percent of the people. Other major dialects are Cuyunin (26.27), Pinalawan (11.08 percent) and Ilonggo (9.6 percent).

G. How to get there
Palawan can be reached within an hour and five minutes' flight from Manila to the capital city of Puerto Princesa or a 20-hour trip by sea. A choice of regular Philippine Airlines (PAL) or direct chartered flight can be made depending on the desired destination. PAL flights will take one directly to the heart of the province where connectoing trips to nearby premier sites can be made. Charter flights via Soriano Air or Pacific will take one to the Island of desire, be this Cuyo,Curon, Busuanga, or El Nido. WG & A Shipping Company plies the Manila-Palawan routes regularly.