📖 About Palawan

Palawan is a Philippine island province consistently voted the world's best island by travel magazines. With approximately 900,000 residents across the main island and 1,780 smaller islands, this elongated archipelago stretches southwest toward Borneo. Known as the "Last Frontier," Palawan contains the Philippines' most pristine ecosystems, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

El Nido and Coron offer spectacular limestone karst landscapes, lagoons, and diving. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is a navigable cave system through dramatic karst. Tubbataha Reef is world-class diving. Endemic species include the Palawan peacock-pheasant and Philippine mouse-deer. The island balances tourism growth with conservation. Palawan represents tropical paradise at its most spectacular—the Philippines' crown jewel.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Palawan's economy increasingly depends on tourism—El Nido, Coron, and Puerto Princesa draw millions annually. Agriculture produces rice, coconut, and cashews. Fishing remains important. Mining is controversial—nickel extraction threatens ecosystems. Government services employ residents. Tourism growth brings jobs but strains infrastructure and environment; sustainable development is critical challenge.

Palawan culture is diverse—indigenous Tagbanua and Palaw'an peoples maintain traditions, while settlers from across the Philippines create mixed identity. Filipino and English are spoken. Catholicism predominates among settlers; indigenous peoples maintain traditional beliefs. Food includes fresh seafood and Filipino dishes. The culture balances tourism demands with conservation awareness and indigenous rights.

📜 History

Indigenous peoples have inhabited Palawan for thousands of years. Chinese and Southeast Asian traders visited. Spanish colonization was limited; the island remained frontier territory. American period brought increased administration.

WWII saw Japanese occupation and Allied liberation; Coron's shipwrecks date from American attacks on Japanese fleet. Post-war development was slow. The 1990s brought tourism discovery—El Nido developed, awards followed. UNESCO inscribed the Underground River (1999) and Tubbataha (1993). Today Palawan faces the challenge of managing tourism growth while preserving the natural beauty that makes it the world's best island.