Manila

Manila

Manila is the capital of the Philippines and the center of economic, political, social and cultural activity in the country. Located on the island of Luzon, on the east coast of Manila Bay, at the mouth of the Pasig River. The name of the city, originally Maynilad, derives from the name of the nilad plant, a flowering shrub which is adapted to marshy conditions and which once grew abundantly on the banks of the river. The name was first shortened to Maynila and then to its current form. Manila and its neighboring cities and municipalities were integrated by presidential decree in 1975 into a single administrative region known as Metropolitan Manila. For four centuries, Manila has been the main city of the Philippines, a center of industrial growth and an important international port. It is located in one of the most beautiful sheltered harbors in the Pacific. Since its destruction in the Second World War and its subsequent rebuilding, the city has undergone a fast economic development. Palm, banyan, acacia and other tropical trees dotted the city, and bamboo can be found in many public parks. Household mammals such as water buffaloes, horses, dogs, pigs and goats are frequent, while wild birds include shrikes, pigeons and doves. The Manila Bay is rich in sardines, anchovies, mackerel, tuna, snappers and barracuda. As the Philippines' cultural center, Manila has a number of museums. The Philippine National Museum Complex in Rizal Park consists of the National Museum of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Anthropology, the National Museum of Natural History and the National Planetarium.