Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject: Palawan trivia ....only in the Philippines
The Philippines' biggest game preserve and wildlife sanctuary of exotic African animals and endangered endemic animals of Palawan is located on Calauit Island.
it is a major conservation showcase for wildlife habitat holding the single distinction as the first successful wildlife translocation experiment in Asia.
The world's longest underground river system accessible to man can be found at the St. Paul National Park in Purto Princesa, Palawan. A world heritage site, this natural wonder features an 8.2 kilometer navigable underground river that winds through a spectacular cave before emptying out in to the South China Sea.
World's Smallest Hoofed Mammal - South of Palawan., lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer. Locally known as Pilandok (tragalus nigicans), this ruminant stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
Palawan is home to the seacow, known locally as dugong, a unique animal, being the only herbivorous mammal in existence today.
Northern Palawan is dotted with perminan Limestone of Jurassic origin. The Limestone cliffs of El Nido were naturally carved out of extensive and thick layers of coralline deposits. They formed 250 million years ago in the shallow sea covering the area that North Vietnam and South China now occupy. These layers slowly rose from the sea as a result of the collision of India and mainland China about 60 million years ago.
The world's largest pearl was discovered by a Filipino diver in a giant Tridacna (Mollusk) under the Palawan Sea in 1934. Known as the "Pearl of Lao-Tzu", the gem weights 14 pounds and measures 9 1/2 inches long and 5 1/2 inches in diameter. As of May 1984, it was valued at US$42 million. It is believed to be 600 years old.
The Tubbataha Reefs is the country's premier dive spot and is listed in the UNESCO world heritage site. The Marine park covers 33,200 hectares and contains what is believed to be the world's largest grouping of marine life, per unit area. Scientists claimed that more than 300 coral species, and at least 40 families and 379 species of fish were recorded in the area.
Coron is famous for the Japanese World War II wreck diving. Out of the 12 wreck sites, the biggest one (Kyokuzan Maru) is located off the waters of Dimakya Island at almost 500 feet in length. _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
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