Baguio, Philippines

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:55:47 +0000

Baguio is known as the summer capital of the Philippines and a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon. It is also called the “City of Pines” due to all the pine trees growing on the mountain slopes around the city. If you ride a plane from Metro Manila, it only takes an hour for you to arrive in Baguio. For economical reasons, you can also ride a bus but it takes you not less than 5 hours upon arrival. Some people prefer to ride a bus for them to enjoy seeing the views as the road enters the mountainous regions.

During 1900s, Baguio City was established by Americans at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway which the name derived from the word bagiw, the indigenous language of the Benguet Region, meaning “moss”. On June 1, 1903, the place was officially designated by the Philippine Commission as the summer capital of the Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 252,386 in 52,302 households.

There are many ways of transportations upon reaching Baguio. One of the examples is jeepneys, a common transportation because of its cheap way to travel. However, taxis are more convenient to ride than jeepneys.

Burnham Park is synonymous to Baguio which is located in the heart of the city. The park features a man-made lagoon ideal for boat rides, a skating rink, an athletic field and stadium, basketball and tennis courts, a biking zone, tree-and-flower lined promenades, and a plant market. Baguio has been also popular for its golfing destination; the city takes pride in its Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay.

Baguio is a major tourist destination for domestic tourists as well as foriegners. It is especially famous with the Balikbayans to have vacation there. The cool climate is a primary reason enough to visit, though some of the attractions and scenery add to the experience.

The Philippine Island - Philippine Geography and Facts : Philippine Travel Guide : Tradition and Culture » paradise

Baguio, Philippines