Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,Philippines

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is the longest negotiable underground river in the world. It is nominated for the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition.The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is situated about 45 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. The National Park is situated in the Saint Paul Mountain Range. It is framed by St. Paul Bay to the north and the Babuyan River to the east. The Government of Puerto Princesa has managed the National Park since 1992. It is known as St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park, or St. Paul Underground River. The access to the Subterranean River is placed a short walk from little town of Sabang. Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a World Heritage Site. It is located in the Philippines located at 10° 10'N, 118° 55'E.

The Park has a wonderful range of forest formations representing eight (8) of the thirteen (13) forest types originate in tropical Asia, that is forest over limestone soils, forest over ultramafic soils, montane forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, freshwater swamp forest, beach forest, riverine forest and mangrove forest. Researchers have been capable to recognize more than 750 plant species from 300 genera and 100 families. These contain at least 290 trees conquered by the dipterocarp type of species. In the flat forest, large trees such as the Ipil , Dao , Dita , Apitong , and Amugis are common. Beach forest species include Pongamia pinnata, Bitaog and Erynthia orientalis. Other remarkable plant species include Kamagong , Almaciga , Anibong, Pandan and Rattan .

The fauna is considered reasonable, particularly with esteem to invertebrates. Widespread mammals consist of Palawan tree shrew Thecurus pumilis and Palawan porcupine Tipaia palawanensis, Palawan stink pester Suillotaxus marchei. Other mammals comprise anteater Manis javanicus, binturong Arctictis binturong, palm civet Paradoxurus hermaphroditus oriental small-clawed otter Amblonyx cinerea, oriental civet Viverra tangalunga and crab eating macaque Maccaca fasicularis. Dugong Dugong dugon have been recorded in the sea sectors of the park. Birds includes herons Egretta sacra, stork-billed kingfisher Pelargopsis capensis, collared scops owl Otus bakkamoena, white bellied swiftlet Collocalia esculenta, pygmy swiftlet C. troglodytes, scrub-hen Megapodius freycinet cumingii and sea eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster. Monitor lizard Varanus salvator and naval turtles are also present. The channel and compartments of the cavernous river is home to abundant populations of swiftlets and eight species of bats. Palawan peacock pheasant Polyplectron emphanum has also been recorded.

Every year many foreigners visit Philippines to see this awesome river park. Many bridges, trails, and boats provide entrance to the park and the underground river, and some housing and camping facilities are provided. Local people also go there in their leisure times.