Boracay
Island in the Philippines / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Boracay ([bɔˈrakaɪ]; often locally shortened to Bora) is a resort island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, located 0.8 kilometers (0.50 mi) off the northwest coast of Panay. It has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers (3.98 sq mi), under the jurisdiction of three barangays in Malay, Aklan, and had a population of 37,802 in 2020.[2]
This article needs to be updated. (February 2024) |
Geography | |
---|---|
Coordinates | 11°58′8″N 121°55′26″E |
Archipelago | Visayas |
Adjacent to | |
Area | 10.32 km2 (3.98 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 302 ft (92 m) |
Highest point | Mount Luho |
Administration | |
Region | Western Visayas |
Province | Aklan |
Municipality | Malay |
Barangays |
|
Largest settlement | Manoc-Manoc (pop. 14,810) |
Demographics | |
Population | 37,802 (2020) |
Pop. density | 3,663/km2 (9487/sq mi) |
Ethnic groups |
Boracay was originally inhabited by the Tumandok and Ati people, but commercial development has led to their severe marginalization since the 1970s.[1][3]
Apart from its white sand beaches, Boracay is also famous for being one of the world's top destinations for relaxation.[4][5] As of 2013[update], it was emerging among the top destinations for tranquility and nightlife.[6]
Boracay was awarded as the 2012 Best Island in the World by the international travel magazine Travel + Leisure.[7][8] In 2014, the resort island was at the top of the "Best Islands in the World" list published by the international magazine Condé Nast Traveler.[9] In 2016, Boracay headed the magazine's list of "Top 10 destinations to watch".[10]
In April 2018, the Philippine government under president Rodrigo Duterte decreed a six-month closure of the island for tourists to undertake major renovation works, especially of the sewage system, which had become obsolete and insufficient.[11] The island was administered by the Boracay Inter-agency Task Force during the closure, [lower-alpha 1] then it re-opened in October 2018, with a set of new rules meant to address a variety of issues.[14][15]
The Boracay Ati-atihan in January 2024 witnessed a record-breaking number of tourists, with 36,741 people participating in the event. This festival, which celebrates the cultural heritage of the Ati indigenous people, has been a major draw for tourists and is set to be elevated as a major tourism attraction for the island starting next year.[16]