Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is one of the few of its kind in the world (and there are likewise very few subterranean rivers in the world) that flow out into the sea from an inland source. Tides affect part of its entire 8.2 –kilometer length. The level of the river’s fresh water rises and falls with the tide up to a point 4.3 kilometers from the delta called the ‘’Rock Pile’’ where the river narrows down to a stream.
Photo Credit: www.awonderfulblog.com
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located about 50 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The National Park is located in the Saint Paul Mountain Range on the northern coast of the island. It is bordered by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The City Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is also known as St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. As of July 2010, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is ranked among the top 14 of 28 finalists in the Search for New 7 Wonders of Nature.
A World Heritage Park
- The Philippine government first nominated Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park for inscription on the World Heritage List in 1991, pointing out its spectacular karst landscape of limestone formations that include an impressive subterranean river with a series of collateral caves that served as a habitat for many rare and endemic species.
- The inscription was granted eight years after, in December 1999. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee cited Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park as an important part of the irreplaceable natural heritage of the world owing to its unique geological features and its globally significant biodiversity.
- UNESCO experts agreed with the justifications presented for World Heritage inscription but pointed out that an entire tropical ecosystem existed around the Subterranean River. They recommended that the Park be enlarged to include the entire system within the protected area. The City of Puerto Princesa agreed and enlarged the park from its original 3,901 hectares to 22,202 hectares. Today the entire ecosystem supporting the Subterranean River lies within Park boundaries.
Photo Credit: www.awonderfulblog.com
Location
- THE PUERTO PRINCESA Subterranean River National Park lies in the Saint Paul Mountain Range 81 kilometers from the center of Puerto Princesa City but is still within the city boundaries.
- It is the only National Park in the Philippines that lies within the territorial jurisdiction of a city government.
How to Get There
- Go to Puerto Princesa City by air of by sea
- By Air: Philippine Airlines and Air Philippines flights are available from Manila to Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Soriano Air, Asian Spirit (now Zest Air), and Sea Air also offer charter flights to certain places in Palawan.
- By Sea: WG&A SuperFerry travels from Manila to Puerto Princesa via Coron. Negros Navigation offers a direct trip from Manila.
- From the city proper, go to Sabang (a barangay of Puerto Princesa City)
- The Subterranean River is accessible from Barangay Sabang. From the city proper you can go to Sabang by chartered jeepney, AUV/van, or mini-bus. Visitors wanting to drive to Sabang are advised to seriously consider using 4-wheel drive vehicels. Land travel from Puerto Princesa to Sabang can take 2 to 3 hours, depending on road and weather conditions.
- Alternatively, you may reach Sabang by boat from Port Barton. The boat ride will take approximately 45 minutes.
- Wikipedia.org — Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
- www.puerto-undergroundriver.com
- www.awonderfulblog.com — a-subterranean-experience
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