National Geographic picks Philippines as must-see for 2016

MANILA, Philippines - The National Geographic Traveler presented a list of  "go-now destinations that will get you packing this 2016," and Philippines is among them.

Tagging the Philippines as "An Island for Every Taste," the US-based magazine describes the country as "a mix of tribal pride, Catholic fervor, American pop-culture savvy, and tropical affability."

With a total of 7,107 islands, visiting at least one of the Spanish churches in the old, walled center of Intramuros and stroll around Manila Bay at sunset and indulging in beaches such as those in Palawan, Apo and Siargao should be included in one's must-see list if visiting the Philippines, the magazine says.

The magazine also took note of the rich biodiversity in Mindanao

"On the southern isle of Mindanao, more than 1,300 land species—including the endangered Philippine eagle—reside in Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, which recently joined northern Luzon’s rice terraces as a World Heritage site."

Other countries included on the list are:

• South Georgia Island, Winnipeg (Canada)
• Côte d’Or (Burgundy, France)
• Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil)
• Glasgow (Scotland) Greenland
• Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hokkaido (Japan)
• New York City (USA)
• Okavango Delta (Botswana)
• Masurian Lake District (Poland)