Subic Bay Philippines - PDF

							Title:
Subic Bay Philippines

Word Count:
416

Summary:
For many centuries, Subic Bay was r
ecognized as a deep safe harbour. R
ealizing Subic Bay’s potentials, th
e Spaniards used the bay as a port
to defend and maintain the Philippi
nes as a part of their empire in th
e 17th century. In 1885, it was bu
ilt into a naval base that utilized
 the safe harbors and natural resou
rces.


Keywords:
philippines, travel, travel tips, t
ravel destinations, philippines vac
ation, traveling, tourist spots, tr
avel article


Article Body:
For many centuries, Subic Bay was r
ecognized as a deep safe harbour. R
ealizing Subic Bay’s potentials, th
e Spaniards used the bay as a port
to defend and maintain the Philippi
nes as a part of their empire in th
e 17th century. In 1885, it was bu
ilt into a naval base that utilized
 the safe harbors and natural resou
rces.

After their victory over the Spania
rds in 1898, a naval repair and sup
ply base in Subic Bay was establish
ed by the Americans. It was only r
eachable by sea until 1932 when the
 zigzag roads were opened linking S
ubic Bay and Olongapo to the rest o
f the Philippines.

The Japanese bombed Subic Bay in 19
41 and was held by them until the U
S took back the Philippines in 1945
. The naval base was returned to th
e control of the United States. Th
e two invasions by the Japanese and
 Americans produced a number of bom
bed or scuttled naval ships in Subi
c Bay. Scuba divers from around th
e world are now enjoying these wrec
ks in their underwater graveyards.

Control and maintenance of Subic na
val base remained under the United
States despite the Philippines gain
ing their independence. The United
 States was given 99 years free acc
ess of the facility via an agreemen
t signed between the Philippines an
d US.    With the outbreak of the V
ietnam War, Subic Bay became a stra
tegic site in the maintenance of a
strong US presence in Asia.

In 1991, the eruption of Mt. Pinatu
bo covered Olongapo and Subic Bay w
ith nearly half a metre of ash. Aft
er the Senate of the Philippines re
jected the renewal of the US bases
treaty in 1992, the Subic Bay Freep
ort was established after the last
of the American naval ships complet
ed its pullout of forces.

Since then, Subic Bay Freeport Zone
 has now become a well-known econom
ic, commercial and tourist hub. It
 is booming with world class restau
rants and duty-free shopping.

Subic Bay is situated in Zambales P
rovince on the west coast of Luzon
120 kilometres north of Manila. Mou
ntains with lush jungles bound its
coastal area. Mountains with lush d
ense jungles, suitable for trekking
, surround the coastal area. The ba
y cuts out into the South China Sea.

Subic Bay brags of interesting wrec
k dives. It is home to a impressive
 combination of wrecks.   The six w
reck sites have an average depth of
 45 ft.

Subic Bay boasts of its rainforest
and a white sand beach. Its world-c
lass facilities, which include a ma
rina, yacht club, hotels, shopping
arcades and food shops, are support
ed by Philippine tourism. An inter
national airport is another attract
ion.