Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa is a highly urbanized city located in the Mimaropa region of the Philippines.

It sits in the mid-section of Palawan Island. The city is the westernmost city in the entire Philippines. It is also the largest city in the province of Palawan and the Mimaropa region. Geographically, the city is quite massive. It is the second largest city in the country after Davao City. Because its land area is 2,381 square kilometers, it is the least densely populated city in the Philippines. This means there is a lot of open space between people.

The city's location is defined by several major bodies of water and neighboring towns. To the east, the Sulu Sea borders the city. To the west, the city meets the South China Sea. To the north, it is bordered by the municipalities of San Vicente and Roxas. To the south, the municipality of Aborlan sits nearby. The city is divided into 66 barangays, which are small administrative districts. These districts are split into two main groups. About 35 of these barangays are classified as urban areas. Most of the population lives in the city proper near the shores of Puerto Princesa Bay.

The name "Puerto Princesa" has several interesting possible origins. One local story says the name comes from a princess-like maiden. People say she roams the area on certain nights of the year. Another explanation focuses on the geography of the area. The city serves as a natural seaport because it is protected by surrounding mountains. The water is deep enough to accommodate any size of shipping vessel. There are also two official Spanish versions of the name. One version says it was named after Infanta Eulalia, a Spanish princess. Another version suggests it was named after a daughter of Isabella II called Asuncion. However, historians note that Isabella and Francis did not actually have a daughter named Asuncion.

Spanish colonists founded the settlement on March 4, 1872. They were exploring the Palawan shoreline to find a capital site. They discovered a hill with a steep declivity and an extensive plateau. This plateau was an ideal place for a settlement. A priest named Father Antonio Muro leveled part of the hill to build a chapel.

This area now holds the Roman Catholic Cathedral and Rizal Park. By May 1872, the port became a center for Spanish naval operations. The bay met all the requirements for the navy. By 1883, the town had grown to include twelve roads, a hospital, and a well-built port. In 1894, officials called it one of the most beautiful towns in the country. They praised its clean streets and orderly buildings.

The city experienced significant changes during the American period and World War II. In 1911, the new American administration made Puerto Princesa the seat of the Palawan Provincial Government. During World War II, the village was largely abandoned. Japanese troops landed and occupied the city on May 18, 1942. The Filipino Constabulary barracks became the site of the Palawan Massacre.

After the war, the city's boundaries changed several times. In 1951, several barrios were separated to form the town of Roxas. On January 1, 1970, the town officially became a city under Republic Act 5906. In 2007, it was converted into a highly urbanized city after a successful vote by the residents.

Today, Puerto Princesa is known as the "Eco-Tourism Center of the Philippines."

The city is famous for its many beach resorts and seafood restaurants. Its most important heritage site is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.

This park is located north of the city. In 2012, it was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The city also serves as a starting point for trips to the Tubbataha Reef. Because of tourism, many hotels have been built since the 1990s. There are also many shopping malls like SM City Puerto Princesa. The city has also been acclaimed as the cleanest and greenest city in the Philippines.

The people and climate of the city are also very distinct. In 2024, the population reached 316,384 people. The city is a melting pot of different cultures. The Cuyonon people are original inhabitants with rich traditions. There are also indigenous groups like the Tagbanwas, Palawanos, Molbogs, and Bataks. While many people speak Tagalog, Cuyonon and English are also used. The climate is tropical with a wet and dry season. It is warm and humid all year round. The wet season lasts from May to December. The dry season occurs from January to April.

Travelers can easily reach the city via the Puerto Princesa International Airport.