Southern Division

Southern Division is one of the 10 Divisions of Palawan. It is located in the far south of Palawan Island, and also encompasses the Bertram Islands and Balabac Islands. Its capital is Port Bertram located at the southernmost point of Palawan Island. It is the division with the highest percentage of muslims. It borders West Coast Division and East Coast Division to the north, and a maritime border with Banggi Island of Sabah to the south.

Districts and Towns
Southern Division is divided into 4 districts


 * Balabac District
 * Roman Island
 * Port Edward
 * Silom Silom
 * Colmenar
 * Tappan Settlement
 * Sand Town


 * Bertram District
 * Puring
 * Port Bertram
 * Bertram Island
 * West Bertram
 * Terracotta Island
 * Mirage Island


 * Rio Tuba District
 * Sandoval
 * Ukayan
 * Culandanum
 * Sarong
 * Rio Tuba
 * Sumbiling
 * Tagamaya
 * Coral
 * Tagnato


 * Tagbita District
 * Tagbita
 * Pine Point
 * Bismillah
 * Campa

Geography
The division consists largely of flat coastal plains and some hills. The central mainland area is dominated by the Escarpado Ranges, home to the division's highest point, Escarpado Peak.

The islands are mostly flat, with the exception of Balabac, which has large hills on its eastern coast.

There are numerous reefs and islets around the main islands, such as Tiger Reef and Siphon Reef.

The division also contains large expanses of virgin jungle, especially in the north west near the coastal village of Campa.

History
The area was historically a part of the Sulu Sultanate and the Brunei Sultanate before the colonial era.

The arrival of the spanish and their missionaries brought catholicism to the area. The majority of catholics are now found on Balabac Island.

The area was formerly part of the Lower Paragua Province established by the spanish and maintained under british rule.

After independence, nickel was found north of Rio Tuba, and a new quarry was started, against the protest of some locals. It is now the largest and most profitable mine in Palawan.