City of Manila

City of Manila
Name	City of Manila
Native name	Lungsod ng Maynila (Filipino)
Settlement type	City
Nickname	Pearl of the Orient
Motto	Linisin at Ikarangal ang Maynila
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Philippines
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	National Capital Region
Subdivision type2	Legislative district
Subdivision name2	1st to 6th districts
Established title	Founded
Established date	June 24, 1571
Founder	Miguel López de Legazpi
Seat type	Barangays
Seat	897
Government type	Sangguniang Panlungsod
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Honey Lacuna
Leader title1	Vice Mayor
Leader name1	John Marvin Nieto
Area total km2	42.88
Population total	1,846,513
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Timezone	Philippine Standard Time
Utc offset	+8
Coordinates	14, 35, 45, N...
Postal code type	ZIP code
Postal code	0900 to 1096
Blank name sec1	HDI
Blank info sec1	0.781 (High)
Website	manila.gov.ph

City of Manila. The City of Manila is the capital of the Philippines and a highly urbanized component city within the National Capital Region. Strategically located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, it is one of the world's most densely populated cities and a historic center of trade, culture, and education. Governed by the Local Government Code, the city is administratively divided into sixteen districts, including the historic Intramuros and the bustling Binondo, the world's oldest Chinatown.

History

The area was a major settlement of the Kingdom of Maynila before the arrival of Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, who established a permanent colonial settlement on June 24, 1571. It became the capital of the Spanish East Indies and a vital hub of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon trade, connecting Asia with the Americas. The city was occupied by British forces in 1762 and later saw pivotal events during the Philippine Revolution against Spain and the subsequent Philippine–American War. It suffered catastrophic destruction during the Battle of Manila in 1945, one of the fiercest urban battles of the Second World War. After independence, it was succeeded as the national seat of government by the adjacent Quezon City from 1948 until 1976, when President Ferdinand Marcos restored its capital status through Presidential Decree No. 940.

Geography

The city occupies a total land area of 42.88 square kilometers on the island of Luzon, bounded by Manila Bay to the west and the Pasig River which bisects the city. Its terrain is generally flat, with the district of Malate and Ermita lying along the bay's coast. The city is part of the Metro Manila urban sprawl, directly bordering the cities of Navotas, Caloocan, Quezon City, San Juan, Mandaluyong, and Makati across the Pasig, and Pasay to the south. Major geographical features include the Luneta and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, both situated on reclaimed land along the bay.

Demographics

According to the 2020 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority, the city has a population of 1,846,513 people, resulting in an extremely high population density. The predominant language is Filipino, with English widely used in business and government. The majority of residents are adherents of Roman Catholicism, with significant communities belonging to the Iglesia ni Cristo and various Protestant denominations. The district of Binondo has been a center for the Chinese-Filipino community for centuries, while Quiapo is known for its Muslim population and the iconic Quiapo Church.

Economy

Manila is a primary financial, commercial, and industrial center, housing the headquarters of major corporations and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. Key economic districts include the Port of Manila, one of the busiest ports in the country, and the Binondo business district. The city is a major retail hub, home to historic shopping areas like Escolta and modern centers such as SM City Manila. Important institutions like the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Asian Development Bank have their main offices in the adjoining Makati Central Business District, underscoring the city's integral role in the regional economy.

Government

The city government operates under a mayor-council system as mandated by the Local Government Code of the Philippines. The current mayor is Honey Lacuna, with John Marvin Nieto serving as vice mayor. Legislative power is vested in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, which is composed of councilors elected from the city's six legislative districts. The city is represented in the Congress of the Philippines by six district representatives. It hosts the official residence of the President of the Philippines, the Malacañang Palace, and several national agencies, including the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Department of Justice.

Culture

Manila is a cultural melting pot, renowned for its vibrant arts scene and historical landmarks. The walled city of Intramuros contains Spanish-era structures like Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral. The city celebrates numerous festivals, including the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo. It is a center for education, being home to the University of Santo Tomas, the University of the Philippines Manila, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Major cultural venues include the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the National Museum of Fine Arts, and the Metropolitan Theater. The city's culinary landscape is famous for dishes like adobo and the historic Café Adriatico in Malate.

Category:Capitals in Asia Category:Populated places established in 1571 Category:Port cities and towns in the Philippines