Introduction
Puerto Princesa City, the capital of Palawan province, occupies a strategic position along the island’s midsection.
Beyond its reputation as an eco-tourism hub and gateway to the world-famous Underground River, Puerto Princesa’s
geography plays a defining role in its history, economy, and cultural identity. Its location, bounded by two seas,
interlaced with rivers, and framed by mountain ranges, provides both opportunities and challenges for development.
This article presents an updated and comprehensive look at Puerto Princesa’s geography, including its land area,
coastal boundaries, barangay divisions, topographic features, and environmental significance.
Strategic Location
Puerto Princesa lies at the midsection of Palawan Island, often described as the country’s
“last ecological frontier.” Its coordinates place it approximately 306 nautical miles south of Manila,
206 nautical miles east of Panay Island, and 250 nautical miles northeast of Zamboanga.
The city’s position along the archipelagic spine of the Philippines makes it an important maritime and air link
between Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
To the north, Puerto Princesa is bordered by the municipalities of San Vicente and
Roxas, while the municipality of Aborlan defines its southern boundary. To the
west, it faces the vast expanse of the West Philippine Sea (part of the South China Sea), and to
the east, it opens toward the Sulu Sea. This dual coastal frontage provides access to rich
fishing grounds, trade routes, and tourist destinations.
Land Area and Spatial Extent
Covering a total area of approximately 253,982 hectares, Puerto Princesa is one of the largest
cities in the Philippines in terms of land size. Its territory stretches about 106 kilometers in length,
spanning a narrow but elongated corridor of land along central Palawan. The city’s narrowest point lies in
Barangay Bahile, where its width narrows to just 8.5 kilometers between the
opposing coastlines.
This elongated shape has shaped settlement patterns and infrastructure planning. Major roads such as the
Puerto Princesa North Road and Puerto Princesa South Road serve as lifelines,
running parallel to the island’s length and connecting coastal barangays to the city proper.
Barangay Divisions
Puerto Princesa is composed of 66 barangays, the smallest political units in the Philippines.
Of these, 35 are classified as urban barangays, concentrated around the city proper, while
31 are rural barangays spread across the countryside and coastal zones. The division reflects
the city’s dual character: a bustling administrative and commercial center at its core, surrounded by farming,
fishing, and eco-tourism communities.
The urban barangays host government offices, educational institutions, and business districts, while the rural
barangays preserve much of Puerto Princesa’s agricultural lands, forest reserves, and coastal fisheries. Many
rural barangays are also home to Indigenous Palawan communities, whose sustainable practices have long
contributed to the region’s ecological balance.
Topography and Physical Features
Puerto Princesa’s geography is defined by a striking contrast between rugged mountains and fertile lowlands.
The Saint Paul Mountain Range, part of the central highlands of Palawan, dominates the northern
interior. This limestone-rich range is home to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Karst formations, caves, and underground rivers reflect the island’s complex
geological history.
Along the eastern and western coasts, lowland plains and valleys stretch toward the sea. These areas host rice
paddies, coconut groves, and fishing villages. Numerous rivers, including the Iwahig River,
cut through the landscape, providing irrigation and transportation routes.
Climate and Weather Patterns
Puerto Princesa experiences a tropical climate moderated by its coastal position. Unlike many
parts of the Philippines, which experience distinct wet and dry seasons, Puerto Princesa generally has a more
balanced distribution of rainfall throughout the year. Average annual temperatures range from 25 to 32°C,
making it warm but not as hot as inland lowland provinces.
Its geography shields it from the full impact of typhoons that frequently strike northern Luzon and the Visayas.
This relative safety, combined with fertile soils and abundant water sources, has supported settlement and
agriculture since pre-colonial times.
Coastline and Marine Geography
With coastlines facing both the West Philippine Sea and the Sulu Sea, Puerto Princesa has extensive marine
resources. Its bays, inlets, and coral reefs sustain commercial and subsistence fisheries. The coastal barangays
are important hubs for aquaculture, producing fish, shrimp, and seaweed for local consumption and export.
Notably, Puerto Princesa Bay itself is a naturally protected harbor, deep enough to accommodate
large vessels. Historically, this made it attractive as a Spanish naval base in the late 19th century, and
today, it continues to serve as a key entry point for ferries, cargo ships, and cruise liners.
Offshore, coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forests form a triad of ecosystems crucial for biodiversity.
These habitats also support eco-tourism attractions such as Honda Bay island-hopping tours and
firefly watching along mangrove rivers.
Biodiversity and Environmental Significance
Puerto Princesa is often called the “Eco-Tourism Capital of the Philippines,” a title that rests
heavily on its geography. The city is home to large tracts of intact forests, both lowland dipterocarp and
montane. These forests provide habitat for endangered species such as the Palawan peacock-pheasant, the Philippine
cockatoo, and the Palawan bearcat.
On the marine side, dugongs (sea cows) graze in its seagrass beds, while whale sharks and sea turtles frequent
its coastal waters. The city’s rivers, caves, and karst systems also harbor unique subterranean species, many of
which are still being studied by biologists.
Urban and Rural Dynamics
Geography has also shaped Puerto Princesa’s social and economic structure. The urban barangays around the city
proper form a compact core where government services, trade, and education are concentrated. Modern roads,
airports, and seaports link this core to the rest of the Philippines.
In contrast, the rural barangays reflect a slower pace of life, where farming, fishing, and forestry remain the
backbone of livelihoods. Many eco-tourism sites are also located in rural areas, such as Sabang (gateway to the
Underground River), Honda Bay, and Iwahig Penal Farm’s eco-park.
Puerto Princesa Geography
Puerto Princesa’s geography is central to its identity. Its elongated land area, dual coastal boundaries,
mountainous interiors, fertile valleys, and rich marine ecosystems have shaped its history, economy, and culture.
From being a Spanish naval outpost in the 19th century to its present role as a clean, green, and sustainable city,
Puerto Princesa’s physical setting has always been both a resource and a responsibility.
Today, its geography continues to define its path: a city balancing urban growth with ecological stewardship,
modern infrastructure with cultural heritage, and local livelihoods with global tourism. To understand Puerto
Princesa is to appreciate how its land, sea, and people are interwoven in a geography as remarkable as it is
enduring.
