Palawan Philippines tour

For the island in Singapore, see Pulau Palawan.
Palawan
Palawan island map.PNG
Map with Palawan Island highlighted in red
Palawan is located in PhilippinesPalawanPalawan
Location within the Philippines
Geography
Location South East Asia
Coordinates 9°30′N 118°30′ECoordinates: 9°30′N 118°30′E
Archipelago Philippine islands
Adjacent bodies of water
South China Sea
Sulu Sea
Area 12,188.6 km2 (4,706.0 sq mi)[1]
Area rank 64th
Length 425 km (264.1 mi)[2]
Width 40 km (25 mi)[2]
Coastline 1,354.1 km (841.4 mi)[1]
Highest elevation 2,086 m (6844 ft)[1]
Highest point Mount Mantalingajan
Administration
Philippines
Region Mimaropa
Province Palawan
Municipalities
List
Capital and largest city Puerto Princesa (pop. 255,116)
Demographics
Population 886,308 (2015) [3]
Pop. density 72.7/km2 (188.3/sq mi)
Palawan is the largest island of the province of Palawan in the Philippines and the fifth largest island of the country. The north west coast of the island is along the South China Sea, while the south east coast forms part of the northern limit of the Sulu Sea.[4] Much of the island remains traditional and is considered by some as under-developed. Abundant wildlife, jungle mountains, and some white sandy beaches attract many tourists, as well as international companies looking for development opportunities.[5]

As of 2016, the main island of Palawan was rated the "Most Beautiful Island in the World" as voted by respective readers of rival travel publications Conde Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure.[6][7] It is the second year running that Palawan has won the Conde Nast Traveller award, as well as the second time in four years that it has occupied Travel + Leisure's top spot (2013).[8][9] El Nido, located at the northern tip of the island, is also currently rated the "Most Beautiful Beach in the World" by Conde Nast Traveller readers.[10] In 2007, National Geographic Traveler[11] magazine rated Palawan the best island destination in East and Southeast Asia region, having:

... incredibly beautiful natural seascapes and landscapes. One of the most biodiverse (terrestrial and marine) islands in the Philippines. The island has had a Biosphere Reserve status since early 1990s, showing local interest for conservation and sustainable development."