Navigating Manila

By Author: Bob Ethan
Total Articles: 41
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Manila is the capital city of the Philipines, a
Country consisting of islands in Southeast asia. Manila is both a city, and a wider metropolitan region that contains Manila city in addition to sixteen other municipalities. Manila town is the second largest city in Philipines, after Quezon city. Quezon city is also part of Metro Manila, and is the previous capital of Philipines. If you view a detailed street map of Manila, you will understand that these 2 cities form the center of Metro Manila.

Manila is a seaside port city, sitting on Manila Bay. It is the chief ocean port of the Philipines. The majority of Manila city rests on alluvial deposits from the Pasig River, as well as some land that is reclaimed from the sea. Manila is in every respect a marine town, and its Pacific ambience and muggy air will remind you of that all the time.

Manila town has a total population of 1,660,713 all squeezed into a small area of 38.55 square kilometers. This means that Manila is one of the most densely populated locations on Earth with 43,079 people per square kilometer. If we include all of Mtropolitan ...
... Manila the population increases to an amazing 11,553,427. The overall population density of the Metro area is lower at 12,550 folks per square kilometer. Compare that with Tokyo's population density of 10,087 people per square kilometer. Since Tokyo isn't a single city but instead a urban area like Metro Manila, the density of Tokyo and Manila are comparable.

Metro Manila really is great, and each of its towns on its own makes up a large town. Manila town alone is divided into sixteen geographical districts. Every one of these sixteen districts has its own unusual features and tastes and are exciting to explore and get a feel for. Intramuros is the locale of old Manila, with a historical flavour. Binodo surrounds the Chinatown district. Ermita and Malate are wealthy neighbourhoods where many Western hostels and higher class shopping malls are found. And the areas of San Miguel and Pandacan are the location of the capital's central authority houses and the President's official place of residence. With all of these different and exotic local areas, it's easy to pass a few days exploring Manila before you move on.
Manila is an overwhelming metropolis for the visitor or newcomer. But with a