Manila is situated 1,127 kilometers southeast of Hongkong or 2,414 kilometers northeast of Singapore. It is centrally located on the western coast of Luzon Island, specifically on the mouth of Pasig River facing Manila Bay which is a part of South China Sea. Founded by Spanish Conquistador Miguel Lopez de Legaspi in the 16th century, it is the country's principal port and the focus of cultural activities. Cities which are proximate to Manila are (from the north) Navotas, Caloocan, Quezon, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Makati, and Pasay.

The city has a total land area of 25 square kilometers. It is divided into several districts which are then grouped into 6 congressional districts, the most among the highly urbanized cities in the country. San Miguel district is where Malacanang Palace, the presidential home, is located. The area bounded by Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, and Binondo used to be the commercial and financial center of the country until it was overtaken in the 1970s by the newer centers in the metropolis. There are still many shops and banking institutions in this area but they are no longer as big and prestigious as those in the new cities of Metro Manila. Binondo remains as the China Town. Adjacent to it is Divisoria, considered as the country's biggest public market. Located in the districts of San Nicolas and Tondo, Divisoria is a veritable shopping paradise of low-priced merchandise.

Malate district along with Ermita has one of the busiest nightlife in the metropolis. In fact, this area used to be called the red light district of the city. An array of trendy bars, restaurants, cafes, and lodging inns can be found from Nakpil Street to Remedios Circle. Today, the area is home to many ritzy hotels and high rise condominiums and to include a modern shopping mall. On the bayside is beautiful Roxas Boulevard, the perfect place to view the famous sunset of Manila Bay. Sampaloc, Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, and Paco districts are the residential enclaves. Tondo used to be the site of Smokey Mountain, the infamous garbage dumpsite that has now been transformed into a housing subdivision.

As the educational center of the country, the city is home to 76 colleges and universities, mostly located in a strip called University Belt.

A cosmopolitan city, Manila's population is composed of many cultural groups from all over the Philippines with some foreigners from many parts of the world.

The city of Manila prides itself as a business-friendly locality. There are great opportunities in urban renewal projects as well as in business process outsourcing. The city has a lot to offer in tourism-related enterprises such as hotels and food-service establishments. With the presence of many universities and other learning institutions as well as government offices, there is a need to build affordable dormitories and lodging houses.

1. Luneta or Rizal Park - the city's chief landmark where the Rizal Monument and Quirino Grandstand are located
2. Malacanang Palace - Official Residence of the President of the Republic
3. Intramuros - the walled city where Manila Cathedral, Palacio Del Gebernador, San Agustin Church and Fort Santiago are located.
4. Fort Santiago - Where Jose Rizal was incarcerated by the Spaniards
5. San Sebastian Church - the only all-steel church in Asia and listed as endangered by the World Monuments Watch
6. Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo
7. Binondo Church
8. Manila Zoo - home to many Philippine and african wildlife
9. National Museum
10. Museo ng Maynila
11. Paco Park
12. Ocean Park - the first and only oceanarium in the Philippines
13. Manila Hotel - a historical landmark built in 1912
14. Cultural center of the Philippines
15. Folk Arts Theater

Rizal monument at Luneta Park

Manila Cathedral

Basilica of the Black Nazarene

Binondo Church

Buildings along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita and Malate Districts

Beautiful Manila Bay at dusk

Procession during the Feast of the Black Nazarene

A train of the Light Railway Transit is crossing the Pasig River. At the background is Binondo also known as Chinatown.

Andres Bonifacio Monument near Manila City Hall

Manila Ocean Park