Palawan, an archipelagic province in the Philippines, has a rich history shaped by its strategic location, diverse ecosystems, and cultural influences.
Prehistoric and Early History
- Ancient Origins: Archaeological evidence, including the Tabon Caves in Quezon, Palawan, suggests human habitation as early as 50,000 years ago. The caves, dubbed the “Cradle of Philippine Civilization,” yielded the Manunggul Jar (circa 890–710 BCE), a burial artifact indicating sophisticated cultural practices.
- Indigenous Peoples: The island was home to indigenous groups like the Tagbanua, Palaw’an, Tao’t Bato, and Batak, who developed distinct languages and animistic beliefs tied to the land and sea.
Pre-Colonial Period
- Trade and Cultural Exchange: Palawan’s proximity to maritime trade routes facilitated interactions with Chinese, Malay, and Bornean traders. Artifacts like Chinese porcelain and beads found in archaeological sites indicate trade as early as the 10th century.
- Sultanate Influence: By the 15th century, parts of Palawan fell under the influence of the Sultanate of Sulu and Brunei, with some coastal communities adopting Islam.
Spanish Colonial Period (1565–1898)
- Spanish Arrival: Spanish colonization began in the late 16th century, with Palawan initially called “Paragua.” In 1749, the Spanish established a formal presence, founding settlements like Taytay and Puerto Princesa (originally a penal colony).
- Resistance and Isolation: Due to its rugged terrain and distance from Manila, Palawan remained sparsely controlled. Indigenous groups and Moro raiders resisted Spanish rule, limiting colonial influence.
- Christianization: Jesuit and Augustinian missionaries converted some indigenous communities to Christianity, though many retained animistic practices.
American Period (1898–1946)
- American Administration: After the Spanish-American War, the U.S. took control of the Philippines in 1898. Palawan was declared a province in 1902, with Puerto Princesa as its capital.
- Development: The Americans improved infrastructure, established schools, and promoted agriculture. They also subdued Moro resistance and integrated Palawan into the broader Philippine administrative system.
- World War II: During the Japanese occupation (1942–1945), Palawan was a site of guerrilla resistance. The Palawan Massacre in 1944 saw Japanese forces kill 139 American POWs in Puerto Princesa, a tragic event later commemorated.
Post-War and Modern Era (1946–Present)
- Independence: After Philippine independence in 1946, Palawan developed as a frontier province, attracting migrants from other parts of the country.
- Conservation Efforts: Palawan’s ecological significance, with its coral reefs, rainforests, and biodiversity, led to the establishment of protected areas like the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999) and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
- Political and Cultural Shifts: The province faced challenges like land disputes and illegal logging but gained recognition for eco-tourism. In 2019, a plebiscite divided Palawan into three provinces—Palawan del Norte, Palawan Oriental, and Palawan del Sur—to improve governance, though this remains contentious.
- Recent Developments: Palawan continues to balance tourism, conservation, and indigenous rights. Its strategic location in the West Philippine Sea also places it in geopolitical discussions regarding maritime disputes.
Key Cultural and Historical Notes
- Diverse Influences: Palawan’s culture blends indigenous, Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American elements, seen in festivals like the Baragatan Festival and local crafts.
- Strategic Importance: Its position near the Spratly Islands makes it geopolitically significant, especially in modern territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Here are some fun facts about Palawan, Philippines, highlighting its unique charm:
- Home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site: The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features an 8.2-kilometer underground river that flows directly into the sea, with stunning limestone caves and a rich ecosystem. It’s one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature!
- Oldest Human Remains in the Philippines: The Tabon Caves, known as the “Cradle of Philippine Civilization,” yielded the Tabon Man remains, dating back around 47,000 years, making Palawan a key archaeological site.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: Palawan hosts over 1,700 species of plants and animals, many endemic, like the Palawan bearcat (binturong) and the colorful Palawan peacock-pheasant. It’s called the “Last Ecological Frontier” of the Philippines.
- World’s Best Island: Palawan has repeatedly topped lists as the world’s best island by travel magazines like Condé Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, thanks to its pristine beaches, clear waters, and lush jungles.
- Tubbataha Reefs, a Diver’s Paradise: The Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, another UNESCO site, is a marine sanctuary with over 600 fish species and 360 coral species, making it one of the world’s top dive sites.
- Unique Language Diversity: Palawan is home to several indigenous languages, like Tagbanua and Palaw’an, and even has a script, the Tagbanua script, still used by some communities for writing poetry and rituals.
- The Manunggul Jar Treasure: A 2,800-year-old burial jar found in the Tabon Caves, adorned with a boat carrying souls to the afterlife, is a National Cultural Treasure displayed in the National Museum of the Philippines.
- No Typhoon Zone: Palawan is largely spared from typhoons due to its location outside the Philippines’ typical typhoon belt, making it a year-round destination.
- Clearest Waters in the World: Kayangan Lake in Coron is often cited as one of the cleanest and clearest lakes globally, with visibility so perfect you can see fish swimming meters below.
- A Haven for Shipwreck Diving: Coron Bay is famous for its World War II Japanese shipwrecks, like the Irako and Okikawa Maru, offering divers a thrilling mix of history and marine life.
As of the 2020 Census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the total population of Palawan province, including Puerto Princesa City, was 1,246,673. This figure comprises 939,594 residents in the municipalities and 307,079 in Puerto Princesa City .
While more recent official census data is not yet available, Palawan has experienced significant population growth over the years. Between 2000 and 2015, the province’s population increased by approximately 77.9% . Given this trend, it’s reasonable to estimate that the current population in 2025 is around 1.3 million.
For the most accurate and up-to-date population figures, it’s advisable to consult the Philippine Statistics Authority’s official publications or website.
Population By Municipality
| MUNICIPALITY | POPULATION (2020) | MUNICIPALITY | POPULATION (2020) |
| Aborlan | 38,736 | El Nido (Bacuit) | 50,494 |
| Agutaya | 12,867 | Kalayaan | 193 |
| Araceli | 14,434 | Linapacan | 16,424 |
| Balabac | 42,527 | Magsaysay | 12,603 |
| Bataraza | 85,439 | Narra | 77,948 |
| Brooke’s Point | 73,994 | Puerto Princesa | 307,079 |
| Busuanga | 25,617 | Quezon | 65,283 |
| Cagayancillo | 6,884 | Rizal (Marcos) | 56,162 |
| Coron | 65,855 | Roxas | 69,624 |
| Culion | 23,213 | San Vicente | 33,507 |
| Cuyo | 23,489 | Sofronio Española | 37,416 |
| Dumaran | 23,528 | Taytay | 83,357 |