UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Philippines

UNESCO's Description

The Tubbataha Reef Marine Park covers 96,828 ha, including the North and South Atolls and the Jessie Beazley Reef. It is a unique example of an atoll reef with a very high density of marine species; the North Islet serving as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles. The site is an excellent example of a pristine coral reef with a spectacular 100-m perpendicular wall, extensive lagoons and two coral islands.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Geography

The natural park is located near the middle of Sulu Sea, 150 kilometers (93 mi) southeast of Puerto Princesa, covering a total of 97,030 hectares (239,800 acres; 374.6 sq mi). The smaller Jessie Beazley Reef is located about 20 kilometers (12 mi) north of the two atolls.

Geology

Tubbataha Reef is situated on Cagayan Ridge, an extinct underwater volcano and an island arc during the Miocene. Being a true atoll structure, it is believed that the atolls of Tubbataha were formed as fringing reefs and volcanic islands. This follows the classical Charles Darwin's theory that atolls are formed around an existing volcanic island. When the volcanoes became extinct and the islands subsided over a long time, only the corals remained which then continuously grew towards the surface. The staircase-like slopes of the modern reef are now a product of the fluctuating sea levels as the crust under Cagayan Ridge cools and subsides.

Ecology

Over 1000 species of marine life inhabit the reef with many considered endangered. Animal species found include manta rays, lionfish, sea turtles, clownfish, and sharks. Tubbataha has become a popular site for seasoned sport divers because of its coral "walls" where the shallow coral reef abruptly ends giving way to great depths. These "walls" are also habitats for many colonies of fish. Giant trevally (jacks), hammerhead sharks, barracudas, manta rays, palm-sized Moorish idols, napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, and moray eels live in the sanctuary. There also have been reported sightings of whale sharks and tiger sharks. Tubbataha is even home to cetaceans and hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) which are critically endangered species.

History

The word tubbataha is a combination of two Sama–Bajau words: tubba and taha, which together means "a long reef exposed at low tide". Historically, Sama-Bajau peoples, who have a nomadic lifestyle, visit the reef from time to time. Although people from the islands of Cagayancillo are frequent visitors of the reef. They used the native vessel banka to sail and fish on "Gusong", their local name for the Tubbataha.

Tubbataha's isolation, located in the middle of the Sulu Sea far from inhabitants of the nearest populated islands, had preserved its marine resources from over-exploitation over the years. The two islets in Tubbataha have no source of freshwater thus preventing habitation.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q927108 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

For 2,000 years, the high rice fields of the Ifugao have followed the contours of the mountains. The fruit of knowledge handed down from one generation to the next, and the expression of sacred traditions and a delicate social balance, they have helped to create a landscape of great beauty that expresses the harmony between humankind and the environment.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Historical description

The rice terraces of the Cordilleras are one of the few monuments in the Philippines that show no evidence of having been influenced by colonial cultures. Owing to the difficult terrain, the Cordillera tribes are among the few peoples of the Philippines who have successfully resisted any foreign domination and have preserved their authentic tribal culture. The history of the terraces is intertwined with that of its people, their culture, and their traditional practices.

Apart from the idjang stone-fortresses of the Ivatan of the Batanes, the terraces, which spread over five present-day provinces, are the only other form of surviving stone construction from the pre-colonial period.

UNESCO's Description

This park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape with an underground river. One of the river's distinguishing features is that it emerges directly into the sea, and its lower portion is subject to tidal influences. The area also represents a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation. The site contains a full 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and has some of the most important forests in Asia.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Geography

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River is the second-longest underground river in the world. It consists of an 8.2 km (5.1 mi) underground section of the Cabayugan River, traversing a cave system that is at least 32 km (20 mi) long. The river winds through the caves before flowing directly into the South China Sea. Saltwater mixes with freshwater up to about 6 km (3.7 mi) inside the cave system. This creates a stratified water column, with the freshwater upper layer only a few centimeters thick. The stratification is absent during heavy rain, since flooding temporarily sweeps away the seawater. The river is navigable by boat up to 4.3 kilometres (2.7 mi) from the sea.

The park has a limestone karst mountain landscape.

History

In 2010, a group of environmentalists and geologists discovered that the subterranean river has a second floor, which means that there are small waterfalls inside the cave. They also found a cave dome measuring 300 m (980 ft) above the underground river, rock formations, large bats, a deep water hole in the river, more river channels, and another deep cave, as well as marine creatures and more. Deeper areas of the underground river are almost impossible to explore due to oxygen deprivation.

On November 11, 2011, Puerto Princesa Underground River was provisionally chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. This selection was officially confirmed on January 28, 2012.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q824602 (CC0).

UNESCO's Description

Established in the 16th century, Vigan is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture reflects the coming together of cultural elements from elsewhere in the Philippines, from China and from Europe, resulting in a culture and townscape that have no parallel anywhere in East and South-East Asia.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Geography

The City of Vigan is situated in the northern part of Luzon, the Philippines’ largest island. It serves as the capital of Ilocos Sur and has been a major political and trading center since before the Spanish colonizers arrived in the Philippines.

Vigan is situated 403.88 kilometres (250.96 mi) from the capital city of Manila.

Its 2,511 hectares (6,200 acres) of land consists mostly of plains with gentle hills. Its boundaries on the north, east, south, and west are the municipalities of Bantay, Santa, Caoayan, and Santa Catalina, respectively. The South China Sea is on its southwest portion.

Majority of its land, 60 percent of it, is used for agriculture.

History

During the pre-colonial period, Vigan was a coastal trading post frequented by trade ships of Austronesian, Arab, Indian, Chinese, and (mainly) Japanese traders (similar to other trading towns along the Ilocos region like Aparri, Candon, and Lingayen). Traders sailing from the South China Sea came to Isla de Vigan (Island of Vigan) via the Mestizo River that surrounded it.

Due to silting of the Mestizo River, Vigan is no longer separated from the mainland, therefore no longer an island.

In the book The Philippine Island (Vol.

Economy

Vigan has a diversified economy shaped by its historical role as a trading center and its present-day importance as a heritage, commercial, and service center in Ilocos Sur. Its economy includes commerce and trade, services, tourism-related activities, traditional industries, and agriculture. The city's economic development has increasingly been linked with the conservation and adaptive use of its historic urban environment.

Vigan has historically served as an important commercial and trading center in northern Luzon. During the Spanish colonial period, Chinese and local merchants conducted trade from shops, offices, and storerooms located within the city's traditional two-storey commercial houses.

Tourism

Vigan is one of the Philippines' principal heritage tourism destinations and is particularly known for its preserved Spanish colonial-era urban landscape. The Historic City of Vigan was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999 as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia. Its architecture and townscape reflect the blending of Filipino, Ilocano, Chinese, European, and Mexican influences. The historic property contains 233 historic buildings arranged along a grid of 25 streets, with Plaza Salcedo and Plaza Burgos forming the principal public spaces of the historic core.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q235004 (CC0).

Visiting Vigan

Vigan is a city in Ilocos Sur, Northern Luzon. Its Spanish colonial influence in local architecture and old-world charm make it a unique city in the Philippines.

Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Vigan (CC BY-SA 4.0).

UNESCO's Description

Forming a mountain ridge running north-south along the Pujada Peninsula in the south-eastern part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor, the Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary has an elevation range of 75–1,637 m above sea level and provides critical habitat for a range of plant and animal species. The property showcases terrestrial and aquatic habitats at different elevations, and includes threatened and endemic flora and fauna species, eight of which are found only at Mount Hamiguitan. These include critically endangered trees, plants and the iconic Philippine eagle and Philippine cockatoo.

From the UNESCO World Heritage Centre (CC BY-SA IGO 3.0).

Geography

Mount Hamiguitan is located in the province of Davao Oriental in the southeastern part of the island of Mindanao, Philippines. It occupies the land area within the political boundaries of Mati, San Isidro, and Governor Generoso.

Key Facts

Facts from Wikidata Q1573427 (CC0).