Palawan’s human history has been dated back to at least 22,000 years. Excavations in Tabon Cave, in the southern part of the province, led to the discovery of fossils of people believed to have originated in Borneo. The name Palawan has been attributed to several different sources: some believe it comes from the Chinese word pa-lao-yu or “Land of Beautiful Harbors”; others say it comes from the Indian word palawans or “territory”; an alternate source may be the Spanish word paragua because of the main island’s umbrella-like shape.

Even before the Spanish arrived in Palawan, the people already had a form of government, an alphabet, and trading relations with ocean merchants. When the Spanish came, the northern part of the province became their stronghold, with Taytay appointed the capital of the Calamianes. After the arrival of the Americans, the capital was first moved to Cuyo, and then in 1905 the capital was moved to Puerto Princesa, where it remains. Palawan is regarded as the nation’s base for eco-tourism, and the area’s Calauit Island is now even host for endangered animals resettled from the savannahs of Kenya.