Palawan
From Free net encyclopedia
Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City and it is the largest province in terms of land area. The islands of Palawan stretches from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest. It lies between the South China Sea in the northwest and Sulu Sea in the southeast.
The province is named after its largest island, Palawan Island.
Palawan is considered to be the Philippines' "last frontier". The province boasts of many splendid beaches and has two World Heritage Sites: Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
2000 census—755,412 (31st largest)
Density—51 per km² (3rd lowest)
Highly urbanized cities—0
Component cities—1
Municipalities—23
Barangays—432
Congressional districts—2
Contents |
People and culture
Economy
The vast majority of Palawan residents subsist as laborers or farmers, while others work in the limited industries of the area, including tourism (mostly catering to German and other European tourists) and silicon mining. Logging was a major industry, until it was banned in 1992.
Geography
Political
Palawan is subdivided into 23 municipalities and 1 city.
The Philippine government claims most of the Spratly Islands, locally called the Kalayaan Group of Islands, in the South China Sea Islands to be under the jurisdiction of Palawan.
City
Municipalities
Physical
Palawan consists of the long and narrow Palawan Island, plus a number of other smaller islands surrounding the main island. The Calamian Group, to the northwest consists of Busuanga Island, Culion Island, and Coron Island. Durangan Island almost touches the westernmost part of Palawan Island, while Balabac Island is located off the southern tip, separated from Borneo by the Balabac Strait. In addition, Palawan covers the Cuyo Islands and Cagayan Island in the Sulu Sea. The disputed Spratly Islands, located a few hundred kilometers to the west is considered part of Palawan by the Philippines, and is locally called the Kalayaan Group of Islands.
History
Palawan was originally part of the Southern Tagalog Region (Region IV).
Palawan on 2001 rejected by virtue of a referendum to be a part of Autonomus Region of Muslim Mindanao.
President Gloria Arroyo included Palawan by virtue of Executive Order No. 103, dated May 17, 2002, as part of MIMAROPA (Region IV-B).
Palawan, formerly part of Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) of the Luzon Group, was moved to Region VI (Western Visayas) on May 23, 2005 by virtue of Executive Order 429. However, Palaweños have criticized the move, especially due to a lack of consultation, with most residents in every municipality except one and Puerto Princesa City preferring to stay with Region IV-B than transfer to Region VI.
Administrative Order No. 129 was issued on August 19, 2005, to "resolve" the negative backlash and as part of the supervison of the transfer process of Palawan from MIMAROPA to Western Visayas.
Is Famous For
Calauit Game Preserve & Wildlife Sanctuary.
- It is a unique game reserve and wildlife sanctuary of exotic African animals and endangered endemic animals of Palawan.
- Established on August 31,1976 by virtue of Presidential Decree No.1578, this was initiated in response to the appeal of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature to help save African wildlife when former President Ferdinand Marcos attended the 3rd world Conference in Kenya. By virtue of RA 7611 (SEP), administrative jurisdiction of DENR was given to the local government of Palawan, effective December 31,1993. Management of the area is the responsibility of the PCSDO (Palawan Council of Sustainable Development Office). It is located in Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan.
Coron Reefs, Coron Bay, Busuanga.
- Seven enchanting lakes surrounded by craggy limestone cliffs attract hundreds of nature lovers to Coron Reefs in Northern Palawan, near the town of Coron.
- Busuanga Island, whose main town is Coron, is the jump-off point for numerous dive operators. The principal dive sites are 12 WWII Japanese shipwrecks sunk on September 24, 1944 by US Navy action. They range in depth from the surface to 40M. This large variety offers exciting wreck exploration for enthusiasts, from novice divers and snorkelers and recreational divers to experienced TEC divers. Dive operators offer PADI dive courses ranging from Discover Scuba to Assistant Instructor, Technical and Enriched Air Diving, as well as other specialty courses. Dive operators offer day diving, snorkeling trips, and overnight dive safaris. Live-aboard and charter boats also offer diving in the area.
External links
- Official Website of the Province of Palawan
- Open Directory Project: Palawan
- (Palawan part of West Visayas by August 2005)
- Port Barton Marine Park
| Regions and Provinces of Visayas | |
| Western Visayas: | Aklan | Antique | Capiz | Guimaras | Iloilo | Negros Occidental | Palawan |
| Central Visayas: | Bohol | Cebu | Negros Oriental | Siquijor |
| Eastern Visayas: | Biliran | Eastern Samar | Leyte | Northern Samar | Samar | Southern Leyte |
ceb:Palawan da:Palawan de:Palawan et:Palawan nl:Palawan ja:パラワン州 no:Palawan pl:Palawan pt:Palawan sv:Palawan war:Palawan