The history of Palawan may be traced back 22,000 years ago as confirmed by the discovery of fossils of the Tabon cave man in Quezon, Palawan. AIthough the origin of the cave dwellers is not yet established, anthropologists believe these came from Borneo travelling across the land bridge that connected Palawan with Borneo. The similarity of Palawan's flora and fauna with that of Borneo fostered this belief. Palawan has a land area of l,489,655 hectares. It reclines between Mindoro and North Borneo Islands. Palawan is appoximately 586 kilorneters southwest of Manila. The island province extends toward the southwest forming a partial land bridge between Mindoro and North Borneo. The western side of the island faces South China Sea. Palawan's important islands are Busuanga, Culion, Linapacan, Cuyo, Dumaran, Cagayanes and Balabac.