National Geographic Recognition: Chocolate Hills named among “world’s most beautiful places”

CEBU, Philippines – The National Geographic has named Chocolate Hills in Bohol as among 17 of the World's Most Wild and Beautiful Places.

The new National Geographic book, Wild Beautiful Places, stated that the "conical Chocolate Hills of Bohol Island in the Philippines are mystery of nature."

The Department of Tourism of Central Visayas yesterday said it is an honor for Bohol to be on the list.

"We can now say that the hard work placed by both the private and government sector of Bohol has resulted to such recognition," said DOT-7 director Rowena Lu Montecillo.

"The Chocolate Hills of Bohol continues to bring pride to all of us," she added, in extending her warmest congratulations to all the Boholanos.

The Chocolate Hills are a geological formation in Bohol. There are at least 1,260 hills but there may be as many as 1,776 hills spread over an area of more than 50 square kilometers.

They are covered in green grass that turns brown (like chocolate) during the dry season, hence the name.

The Chocolate Hills are a famous tourist attraction in Bohol. They are featured in the provincial flag and seal to symbolize the abundance of natural attractions in the province.

They are also on the Philippine Tourism Authority's list of tourist destinations in the country, and have been declared as the country's third National Geological Monument and had been proposed for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The others on the National Geographic list are Molokai, Hawaii; Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada; Mount Roraima, Venezuela; Canyonlands National Park, Utah; Southern Peru; Jujuy Province, Argentina; Faroe Islands, Denmark; Engadine Valley, Switzerland; Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia; Nile Valley, Egypt; Samburu District, Kenya; Skeleton Coast, Namibia; Davit Gareja Caves, Georgia; Gangtey Valley, Bhutan; Waitomo Caves, New Zealand, and Weddell Sea, Antarctica. —/ RHM (FREEMAN)