With over 7,000 islands and hundreds of thousands of miles of unspoiled stretch of fine coastlines, it is easy to see why the Philippines is considered the Pearl of the Orient Seas. The name Philippines was derived from the name of King Philip of Spain when Magellan discovered this archipelago in 1521. This country has significant cultural affinity to the West, especially to American culture. The Philippines was a Spanish colony for over 3 centuries before it was put under American control at the dawn of 19th century until the Second World War. Today, 90% of the population can speak English as a secondary language, adding to the lure of this country. Let us do a quick rundown of the reasons why it is a beach paradise for vacationers:
1.) Boracay-Every tourist must have heard or visited this tropical haven in the center of the archipelago. This island offers blue-clear water, powdery-fine beaches, and world-class resorts–all in very reasonable prices. Famous for both foreigners and locals, Boracay is also famous for its night parties making it the busiest beach in the Philippines all year round.
2.) Apo Island, Negros-This tiny and secluded island off the coast of Negros in Central Philippines is a tourist magnet. It has excellent coral reef formations as well as clean, white sandy beach. There are only a handful of locals in this island, making it one of the few virgin territories in this archipelago. If you want to see the marvels of the deep, visit Apo Island.
3.) Mactan Island-It was not surprising why Ferdinand Magellan fell here. This mystical island is a gem to behold from afar. This is the place where the Spaniards first suffered their defeat against the early Filipinos. Today, the island is both a cultural and historical center in the region. It lies a few kilometers away from the second-largest city in the Philippines, Cebu, which is great tourist hub itself. Mactan Island has several world-class hotels with easy access to some of the best beaches in the Philippines.
4.) Camiguin Island-Affectionately dubbed by the locals as the “Garden of Eden” in the Philippines, this pear-shaped island is located in the southern of the country, providing a healthy blend of wonderful scenery, sunny days, white sandy beaches, and great culinary experience. This island is also known for its lanzones, a sweet tropical fruit.
5.) Panglao Island-Also known as the “little paradise of pure hearts” this small island is part of the province of Bohol, a magnificent tourism destination as well. Just like any other islands in the Philippines, Panglao offers unrivaled vistas and great accommodation throughout the year. Since there are only two seasons in the country, you can enjoy the sun here for a month without even a single rain.
The Philippines is more than just any other beach destination in the world. It has other off-beach attractions and numerous mountain resorts as well. In addition, there are also several fine museums in the capital city of Manila. Visiting the country can be one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have.
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on August 22nd, 2010 at 5:35 am
their are 7,107 islands in the philippines