1938 U.S.G.S. Map of Palawan Island, Philippines; World War II

This is a 1938 U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (USCGS) nautical chart or maritime map of the island of Palawan in the Philippines, published just before World War II (1939 - 1945). While not made during WWII, with tensions rising in the Asia-Pacific sphere, the U.S. Government likely recognized that updating their charts was increasingly critical.

A Closer Look at the Map

Coverage extends from Culion Island in the northeast to the islands that today constitute the Municipality of Balabac in the southwest (here as Pandanan I, Bugsuk I, etc.), with the Sulu Sea to the east and the South China Sea to the west. Inland topography is defined by contouring with elevations in feet. Depth soundings appear along the coast, providing essential maritime data. Information concerning tides, abbreviations, and other important data is included below the title at center-left.

Palawan and the Second World War

Although not necessarily intended for military use, this map would have proved valuable in military operations as World War II broke out in the Pacific soon after it was issued. After the Japanese Invasion of the Philippines (1941 - 1942), Filipino resistance fighters operated out of the jungles of Palawan, feeding intelligence to the Americans and helping escapees from the many Japanese prisoner of war camps established there. Palawan was liberated in the spring of 1945 with minimal U.S. casualties; in fact, far more Americans died in a massacre of POWs by retreating Japanese troops than died in combat.

Palawan - Ecotourist Paradise

Though not the largest island in the Philippines archipelago, Palawan is the largest province in the Republic of the Philippines, as larger islands like Mindanao and Luzon are subdivided into multiple provinces. In recent years, Palawan has become a popular tourist destination as the historical underdevelopment of the island has been turned to an advantage. It is now world-renowned for its clean air, clear water, pristine beaches, vast old-growth forests. The island hosts two UNESCO World Heritage sites there are efforts to add more.

Publication History and Census

This map was published by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in Washington, D.C. in January 1938. This is the 9th edition of this map, the first dating to 1903. The only known institutional holding of this edition is at Stanford University. Scarce to the market.