Palawan

Population

31st largest - Total (2007) 892,660 (including Puerto Princesa)

languages

Tagalog, Cuyonon, Ilonggo, Tausug, Batak, Tagbanwa, Palawano, Kagayen

General

Information Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro to Borneo in the southwest.

Geography

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.

Economy / Resources

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.

Culture

Palawan is an amazing place because of the diversity of the culture there. More than seventy five distinct cultural groups live in the area. Most of these cultures are of Asian origin, but there are also African and Spanish cultures in the area. This diversity creates an interesting interaction between a wide range of people and contributes to a unique social culture which can not be found anywhere else in the world. These people speak a vast number of languages and practice a great range of religions. Climate The province has two types of climate. The first, 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, 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. Sea voyage is most favorable from March to early June when the seas are calm.

Transportation

Flights into Palawan are usually handled at Puerto Princesa Airport. Here, daily flights leave for Manila and Cebu city. There are also less regular routes from Manila to other Palawan destinations like El Nido and Coron. However, there are no international connections made in Palawan. Seair and Air Philippines are the primary carriers operating at Puerto Princesa, though it isn't uncommon to see other carriers routing through here occasionally. In addition Flights into Palawan are usually handled at Puerto Princesa Airport. Here, daily flights leave for Manila and Cebu city. There are also less regular routes from Manila to other Palawan destinations like El Nido and Coron. However, there are no international connections made in Palawan.