Do You Know That? Philippines: Follow The Seven Wonders Of The World I.

Philippines, an island country in Southeast Asia is situated on a total area of ​​7107 islands (300,000 square kilometres and islets in the western Pacific Ocean. The nearest neighbours are Taiwan to the north, southeast and Malaysia to the south, then Indonesia. On ethnicity and religion rich multicultural society, consisting of mostly indigenous mixed with colonial influences brought here by the elements of Spanish, American or Japanese culture. The city of Manila, located on the southwestern island of Luzon, is now a modern metropolis with many skyscrapers. The historical centre of city, which originally served as fishing village,  is same as the local culture as well as the primarily affected by colonial architecture. Centre is divided by Pasig River into two parts, north and south. Major sights tourists can find here are several: the building of the University, the Roman Catholic cathedral, monuments and statues of saints and sailors and especially residues fortress city, which still form the inner core of the city. Most modern administrative part of Manila - Makati business district centres contrast sharply with the luxury villas of rich Americans on green suburbs.

Although we may seem to place this tropical paradise, where everything is just beautiful and colourful, it's not entirely true. If anything the Philippines in recent decades has, so it is mostly residents themselves, specifically their sense of order, ecology and management of garbage. In short, the streets of smaller towns and rural areas quite a mess ... But this was not the main topic of today's article. People are people, but nature is nature and it is time to bring the most interesting - a national park in Puerto Princesa.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, National Park, as it is the full name of the area which received its status as a World Nature Heritage relatively recently - until 1999. He is located in the island province of Palawan, lying west of Luzon larger. The mountainous island hides countless variety of species, as well as to remarkably diverse population, made ​​up of more than 87 ethnic groups speaking reportedly up to 52 different languages ​​and dialects. Even those, however, are largely a common language, Tagalog.

The main attraction of the park is the underground river of St. Paul, which make their way otherwise impermeable forest and canyons coined by soft limestone bedrock, except where a massive tunnel shaped countless disparate departments. During the approximately 8.5 kilometres waterway lined labyrinth of karst in the open parts of the massive wall of tropical vegetation. Before the river merges with the waters of South China Sea, passing tourists on rafts in places that have their place among the wonders of the world quite rightly won. List of all the natural wealth would prove particularly appreciate an experienced botanist and entomologist, who would come here really looking for.

Perhaps it is a quick list: more than 300 species of birds, 30 species of mammals, 10 kinds of reptiles, as well as countless species of frogs, insects, bats, turtles and other animals which are impossible to elsewhere. The cave system is rich in diverse types of stalactites and stalagmites, complemented by several large underground chambers. The lower part of the river estuary, was shaped a strong tidal wave and surf. Until 2007 the river considered the longest discovered an underground river - the same year but was mapped river in the Mexican Yucatan Peninsula. The importance of this tourist attraction is well aware and Philippine president, who called the play-off voting Philippine to their SMS messages just voted for the National Park. Slated to move does not change the fact that the underground river and Puerto Princesa - place among the top one planet!

Text: Jan Chaloupka

Photo: Wikipedia Commons: Sancho P., Matikas , Klaus P.