Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park - Longest Underground River in the World

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park -- Worlds Longest Underground River

This is my next hub about the Philippines and its wonders. We will take a look at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park which is considered one of the wonders of the world. It is included as one of the finalist in Seven Wonders of the World. If you think it is one indeed please vote here.

Do you want to go underground a cave with a river and see the stalagmites and stalactites formation -- mineral formations and mushroom like stones? Come and visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. I visited the place with my friends before I migrated here in the United States. It is an awesome place because you can also go to nearest beautiful beaches around the area. It is like shooting many birds with one stone hehe.

Where is The Philippines located?

The Philippines is a country surrounded by bodies of water and is located in South East Asia (SEA) and it is surrounded by large ocean namely Pacific Ocean-- South China Sea -- Celebes Sea and the Philippine sea. Puerto Princesa is the capital of Palawan province (largest province in the Philippines in terms of area).

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Nationalis a place in the province of Palawan which is one hour away by plane form Manila -- the capital of the Philippines.

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Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park can be found in the province of Palawan

Palawan itself is a beautiful island southwest of Metro Manila, is revered as one of the the country's last environmental frontier, and is blessed with 1780 islands and islets most of which have irregular coastlines that make excellent harbors. Thick forests covering these steeply sloped mountains assure adequate watersheds for rivers and streams. Palawan is surrounded by a coral shelf that abounds with varied and colorful marine life, hence the island province has been declared a nature sanctuary. The province boasts of extraordinary scenic wonders like El Nido, St. Paul Underground River, Tabon Caves and Honda Bay Islands.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

The place is located about 50 km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. It is an 8.2 km underwater river which is navigable and it features a l”imestone karst mountain” . A unique feature of the river is that it ends with a cave before you can see the South China sea. There are formations of stalactites and stalagmites and many small and large chambers. If you go to the lowest part of the river is it sometimes subject through a tidal waves.

The underground river is the world's longest. It is one of UNESCOs World Heritage Protected SITE.

You can see that at the mouth of the cave there is a lagoon with trees (old ones) growing right to the edges of water. Different kinds of animals are also present like monkeys, large monitor lizards and squirrels find their niche on the beach near the cave.

Flora

The Park has a range of forest formations representing eight of the thirteen forest types found in tropical Asia, namely forest over ultramafic soils, forest over limestone soils, montane forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, riverine forest, beach forest, and mangrove forest. Researchers have identified more than 800 plant species from 300 genera and 100 families.

The Fauna

There are lots of birds in the area too like white breasted sea eagle. Other mammal species in the Park are the Bearded pig and the Palawan porcupine, 19 species of reptiles have been identified, eight of which are endemic Common species in the area include large predators like the Common reticulated python the Monitor lizard and the green crested lizard. Amphibian fauna include ten species. The Philippine woodland frog is the most dominant and frequently encountered. Notable are the nine species of bats, two species of swiftlets and whip spider found in the cave, and the Sea cow and the Hawksbill sea turtle the feed in the coastal area of the Park.

Let us take a look at what people has to say about the place;

This underground river is like a hidden paradise. Once you enter inside you forget reality(Jerome Tadique - Jan,2009)

This unique underground river is undeniably superb! Two thumbs up! Let's vote for this!(Ronzy Herrea - Jan,2009)

A fascinating underground river expedition like nowhere else in the world!' (Terry Candor - Jan,2009)

This underground river symbolizes that there's a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how long it is. Vote for this so that everyone will be enlightened to the beauty of a new hope.' (Michelle Apacible - Jan,2009)

Inside this longest navigable underground river, you can explore distinct stalagmite and stalactite rock formations which are truly only one of their kind! (Zyron Sayang - Jan,2009)

Transportation from Manila : You can either fly by airplane or by land. If you choose to fly by air, it is one hour away.

Tricycle plus jeepneys are the main mode of transportation when you are in the area.