Manila, Philippines^
Manila
The City of Manila, or simply Manila, is the capital of the Philippines. The city is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on Luzon, the country's largest island. Manila is the second most populous city proper in the Philippines, with more than 1.5 million inhabitants. Manila got its name from may nilad, Tagalog for "there is nilad," in reference to the flowering mangrove plant that grew on the marshy shores of the bay. In the 16th century, Manila (then Maynilad) grew from a Muslim settlement on the banks of the Pasig River into the seat of the colonial government of Spain when it controlled the Philippine Islands for more than three centuries. In 1898 the United States occupied and controlled the archipelago until 1946. During World War II, much of the city was destroyed. The Metropolitan Manila region was enacted as an independent entity in 1975. Today, the city and the metropolis thrives as an important cultural and economic center. However, overpopulation, traffic congestion, pollution, and crime challenge the city.
