1. Geographical Location:
- Palawan is situated about 600 km
southwest of Manila, between Mindoro and
Borneo.
- It is located on the western border of the
Philippines.
- Palawan is bounded by the West
Philippine Sea in the west and the Sulu Sea
in the east.
- The highly urbanized city is Puerto
Princesa City.
4. Palawan's Region:
- Palawan belongs to the MIMAROPA
Region (Region IV), which is composed of 5
provinces: Occidental Mindoro, Oriental
Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and
Palawan.
- The regional center is Calapan City in
Oriental Mindoro.
2. Land Area:
5. Historical Background:
- Palawan has a land area of 1,703,075
hectares.
- Archeological findings indicate that the
first Filipino, known as the Tabon Man,
once lived in the Tabon Caves Complex in
Quezon, Palawan.
- It stretches 650 km from tip to tip.
- The mainland is 425 km long, and the
coastline is 2,000 km long.
- 9900 sqm coral reefs excluding kalayaan
(40%) of the country’s total)
3. Islands and Municipalities:
- Palawan comprises 1,780 islands and
islets.
- It is subdivided into 23 municipalities
and 1 highly urbanized city.
- There are 11 municipalities located on the
mainland and 12 island municipalities.
- Palawan has a rich cultural history, with
artifacts dating back from 50,000 years ago
to the 14th century A.D.
- Palawan was known to ancient Chinese
traders as "PALAOYU," meaning "land of
beautiful harbor."
- In the 13th century, Muslim Malays
colonized Palawan, settling in various areas.
- The Spaniards arrived in 1622 and
established their authority in the northern
portion of the province, with Taytay as the
bastion of Spanish authority.
11 mainland: El Nido, Taytay, San Vicente,
Roxas, Aborlan, Sofronio Espanola, Narra,
Brooke’s Point, Bataraza, Quezon, Rizal
- Over time, the province's name changed
from "PARAGUA" to "PALAWAN," and the
capital was transferred from Cuyo to Puerto
Princesa.
12 island: Busuanga, Coron, Culion, Cuyo,
Agutaya, Dumaran, Balabac, Linapacan,
Araceli, Kalayaan, Magsaysay, Cagayancillo
6. Awards and Recognitions:
- Palawan has received numerous awards
and citations, including being ranked as the
top 13 destinations with the bluest water in
the world.
- El Nido, a popular tourist destination in
Palawan, has been recognized as one of the
world's best beaches.
- Palawan has been named the world's best
island multiple times by Travel + Leisure
Magazine.
7. Natural Attractions:
- Palawan is home to various natural
attractions, including the Tubbataha Reefs
National Marine Park and the Puerto
Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
- The province boasts diverse wildlife and
endemic species, such as the Calamian deer,
Pilandok (Mousedeer), and Palawan
peacock pheasant.
8. Provincial Symbols:
- Palawan has official provincial symbols:
provincial flower: Phalaenopsis Orchid
provincial tree: Balayong (Palawan Cherry)
provincial animal: Pilandok
provincial fish: Mameng
provincial dialect: Cuyonon
provincial anthem is "Palawan March”
provincial
Tunay"
song:
"Palawan,
Paraisong
provincial hero: Dr. Higinio Mendoza