Introduction
The capital of the Philippines, Manila gets its name from the nilad plant, a flowering shrub. The city was first known as Maynilad, but the name was later shortened. Manila is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, lying on the low, narrow plain of the Pasig River. The river runs through the middle of the city, dividing it into two sections. The two parts are linked by a number of bridges.
Places of interest
The Malacañang Palace used to be the home of the president. The ruins of the Spanish fortress city of Intramuros (the name means “within walls”) is known for the San Agustin Church and other historic sites.
Rizal Park, the main area for outdoor recreation, features several gardens and a playground. Other public parks include the Manila Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the Mehan Garden, and Paco Park.
Major theaters in Manila include the Folk Arts Theater, the Metropolitan Theater, and an open-air theater in Rizal Park. The National Library, the National Museum, and the National Institute of Science and Technology are other cultural centers. The University of Santo Tomas was established in 1611 and is the oldest university in the Far East. There are many other universities in the city as well.
Economy
Manila is a center for trade and commerce. The city is home to textile, publishing and printing, and food industries. Its factories produce paints, medicines, aluminum items, rope, shoes, coconut oil, soap, and lumber. A number of banks are based in Manila.
History
In the late 16th century, Manila was a walled Muslim settlement. In 1571, the Spanish destroyed the settlement and founded Intramuros. Manila became the capital of a new Spanish colony. Some scattered villages stood outside the city walls, each ruled by a local chief. As the Spaniards established colonial rule, churches and convents were built.
Manila was invaded by other countries several times. The Chinese invaded the city in 1574, and the Dutch raided it in the mid-17th century. In 1762, the city was captured and held by the British, but it was returned to Spain a year later.
Manila became the center of anti-Spanish feelings in the 1890s. The execution of a Filipino patriot, José Rizal, in 1896 started a rebellion against the Spanish that lasted for a year. In August 1898, United States forces captured the city during the Spanish American War. Shortly after that the United States took control of the whole country and made Manila their headquarters in the Philippines. The city developed into a major trading and tourist center.
During World War II, the Japanese captured Manila. The city was destroyed when United States forces successfully fought to get it back in 1945. In 1946, Manila became the capital of the independent Republic of the Philippines, and the city was rapidly rebuilt with aid from the United States. Population (2000 census), 1,581,082.
