The City of Manila, in Tagalog - Lungsod ng Maynila, or Manila, is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the municipalities that comprises Metro Manila or also known as the Natioanl Capital Region (NCR).

Geography
The city of Manila is located on the west coast of the Philippine main island of Luzon. The city straddles at the delta of the Pasig river, a short navigable stream that connects the fresh water lake of Laguna de Bay with Manila Bay and the South China Sea. It occupies a total land area of 38.3 square kilometers.

Population
With a population of 1,581,082 and a land area of 38.55 km², it has the highest population density of any major city in the world with 41,014 people/km². An additional information, Manila’s population density dwarfs that of Paris (20,164 inhabitants per km²) and any other major city around the world.

People
The original settlers of Manila were the Tagalogs. There are 3 distinct local ethnic groups in Manila. The natives, the Chinese, and the Spanish. The Chinese and Spanish groups, companies and families control most political and financial institutions.

Language
The main languages are Tagalog and English, the language used in education and business throughout the Metro Manila region, which is also the reason why Metro Manila attracts English students from neighboring Asian countries, and this fuels a call center industry.

Religion and Faith
Manila is the seat of the Archdiocese of Manila and the Primate of the Philippines. Being the seat of the Spanish colonial government in past centuries, it has been used as the base of numerous Roman Catholic missions to the Philippines.

There are many Buddhist and Taoist temples built by the Chinese community in Manila. The Quiapo district is home to a sizable Muslim population in Manila, and The Golden Mosque is located there. In Ermita is a large Hindu temple for the Indian population, while on U.N. Avenue, there is a Sikh Temple. There is also an LDS temple. In Malate, along Quirino Avenue, there once was a synagogue for the small Jewish community in the Philippines.

Tranportation
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), outside the city proper, serves Manila and the metro area. Over 40 airlines provide daily service to over 26 cities and 19 countries worldwide. The main carrier serving NAIA is Philippine Airlines, which has the most extensive network in the Philippines.

The main roads of Metro Manila are organized around a set of radial and circumferential roads that radiate and circle in and around Manila proper. Manila is also the hub of the railway system on Luzon. The main terminal of the Philippine National Railways is in the Tondo district. Railways extend from this terminal north to the city of San Fernando in Pampanga and south to Legazpi City in Albay, though only the southern railway is currently in operation.

The most common types of public transportation are buses and the jeepney. Tricycles are used for short distances. Pedicabs are bicycles attached with sidecars, where the drivers uses foot pedals to propel the vehicle.

Tourism
Major tourism offices, attractions and accommodations facilities are located in the city. Varied tourist destinations that caters to local as well as foreign visitors abounds in the city both of natural and man-made attractions. There are also luxury hotels, standard and economy class motels, pensions and inns that are always ready to welcome these guests.
The City offers many places of interest to tourists.
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The Rizal Park Complex features miniture Chinese and Japanese gardens. The park is also the ideal place to view the spectacular and internationally re-knowned Manila Bay sunset. Aside from Rizal Park, there are also places of historical and religious significance such as the San Agustin church, Manila Cathedral, Fort Santiago and the old Walls of Intramuros.

Some Places of Interests

- Luneta Park
- Manila Baywalk
- Manila Boardwalk
- Metropolitan Theater
- Fort Santiago
- National Library of the Philippines
- Museo Pambata
- Rajah Sulayman Park
- Paco Park
- Bahay Tsinoy
- Intramuros Light and Sound Museum

Malls and Shopping Centers
- 168 Shopping Malls
- Divisoria Flea Market
- Ever Gotesco Manila Plaza (Recto)
- Harrison Plaza (SM Harrison; Shopwise; Rustan’s)
- Isetann Department Store (Recto and Quiapo)
- Palengke or Pamilihan sa ilalim ng tulay (lit. “marketplace under the bridge” - a center for indigenous Filipino products
- Quiapo Bargain Center, home of endless bargain goods
- Robinson’s Place - Manila
- SM City Manila
- SM City San Lazaro
- SM City Sta. Mesa
- SM Department Store Quiapo
- Tutuban Center (Cluster Building, Centermall & Primeblock)
- University Mall (beside De La Salle University)

Hotels and Accomodations
Manila has a wide range of hotels and accomodations from the top rated hotels to a more cheaper lodges. Most of these hotels and lodges are located in Roxas Boulevard overlooking Manila Bay which is 20 - 30 minutes away from the international and domestic airports.

- Admiral Hotel
- Aloha Hotel
- Bayview Hotel
- City Garden
- Executive Plaza
- Grand Boulevard Hotel
- Manila Diamond Hotel
- Manila Pavillion (Waterfront)
- Hyatt Hotel and Casino
- Palm Plaza Hotel
- Pan Pacific Plaza
- The Manila Hotel
- Sheraton Hotel