Nature of Philippines - national parks and reserves for active recreation

More than 7,000 Philippine Islands are located in the tropical marine climate zone. Summer, characterized by heat and dry weather lasts from January to June here. Winter, on the contrary, is considered cool and humid season of the year. But coolness is a relative concept here. The temperature varies between 26-35 ºC throughout the year. Moreover, it is even harder to endure the heat in winter because of the constant rains. The temperature is slightly lower in high-altitude areas. Typhoons, tsunamis, and other weather disasters often occur in the Philippines.

In fact, islands are the tops of seamounts. Therefore, the area is mostly mountainous here. The highest point reaches 2954 meters above sea level. Rainforests make up the rest of the landscape. The area is seismically active. There are about 30 active and extinct volcanoes in the Philippines.

There are many animals and birds that are not found anywhere else in the world in the Philippines. These are the Palawan flycatcher, the Philippine sailfin lizard, the Philippine pig, Walden's hornbill, rufous hornbill, and others. There are not too many mammals, especially large ones here. But bats are represented by 60 species. Large predatory cats are not found on the Islands. There is only a Bengal cat and a civet. Many interesting mammals are found in coastal waters. These are dugongs, dolphins, and whales. More than 600 species of birds live in the Philippines. 194 of them are not found anywhere else. Amphibians, reptiles, and insects are especially abundant on the Islands. Only endemic butterflies are represented by 915 species. The plant world is incredibly diverse here. Orchids alone are represented by 900 species. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

There are 35 national parks in the Philippines that are designed to preserve the unique nature of the Islands. In addition to parks, there are many other areas with conservation status here. In addition to natural parks, there are also memorial parks in the country. They are created to perpetuate a specific event.

Mount Arayat is the oldest park in the country. It was created in 1933. Arayat is an extinct volcano. Biak na Bato is located in the province of Bulacan. This is one of the oldest parks. More than 100 caves of different sizes are located on its territory. 6 species of bats are found in one of them. Many species of birds are found in the park. There is Nido and salanganes among them. There are also several species of monkeys and monitor lizards here. Bataan is the second-largest park in the Philippines. It is located in the province of the same name. The Caldera of the Natib volcano stands in the center of the park. It was overgrown with tropical jungles, like most of the park. Pasukulan and Dansalan are the largest waterfalls in the park. Many species of orchids grow here.

Most of Bulabog Putian Park in Iloilo province is covered by rainforests. The park is unique for its unusual geological formations and Limestone Mountain. There are also 13 caves on its territory. More than 20 thousand of megabats live in the Maestranza Cave. Guizo Cave is home to 18 species of bats.

Mount Pulag is the center of Mount Pulag National Park. It is the highest on the island of Luzon. Its height is 2922 meters above sea level. The Ibaloi people used the mountain for the burial of the dead in caves. The bodies were mummified due to the unique microclimate. The territory of the park is very rainy. 528 species of plants grow here. One of the types of bamboo is unique. Also, four species of cloud rats are found in the park.

Nailian a Parke ti Banbantay Iglit-Baco is the largest National Park in the Philippines. It is located in the provinces of Western and Eastern Mindoro. The terrain is extremely hilly here. Several rivers flow through the territory. Dipterocarp forests cover the park. The Hundred Islands National Park is located in the province of Pangasinan. It consists of 124 Islands, which are the tops of corals. Unfortunately, only four islands are open to tourists. Fuyot Springs in the province of Isabella attracts visitors with a variety of entertainment. This is a natural thermal pool, hiking, mini-zoo, and butterfly park.

Unusual Puerto Princesa Park was opened on the island of Palawan in 1999. An underground river with rapids and waterfalls is its main attraction. The river flows for 24 km through a beautiful cave with stalactites and stalagmites. 15 species of unique birds and 8 species of unique reptiles, including monitor lizards are found in the park. You can see dugongs – amazing marine mammals in the park. The second largest lake in the country is located in the Pantuwaraya Lake Park in southern Lanao.

Minalungao Park in the province of Nueva Ecija has a unique landscape. The Penaranda River flows between rocky banks up to 16 meters high. This is a popular destination for ecotourism. Picnics are arranged on its territory. People come here to fish. Rafting, hiking, and rock climbing are also popular here.