In the southwestern part of Luzon Island, at the mouth of the Pasing River on the east coast of the Gulf of Manila, is one of the most beautiful cities - Manila. Its name in Tagalog dialect sounds literally like this: "where the nile grows." Nile is a plant that is the source of the natural indigo dye. The city was founded in the 16th century. Here was a Spanish colonial settlement. After the appearance of the first governor of Legazpi, the city turned into the administrative center of the colony, and then began to carry the status of “capital of the Philippines”.
This city is considered the most densely populated in the country. On its territory with an area of 38 thousand 55 square kilometers home to over 1,700,000 inhabitants. In the years 1948-1975, the capital created the city of Keson City, and in 1975 the National Capital Region was formed.
Modern Manila is a conglomerate consisting of 17 satellite cities, each of which is not similar to each other. This includes Manila itself, Pasai, Cason City, Mandaluyong, Pasig and others. In addition, the capital of the Philippines, Manila is the largest port located on the shores of the Manila Bay. Its main feature is the fact that there is never a storm, and the depth of the spacious harbor allows even large ships to enter here.
The capital of the Philippines, Manila has the historic center of Intramuros, which is located at the place where the fort of Santiago was located. Previously, there was a fortress owned by the Raja Suleiman-Manil. It was built from bamboo. The fort is very easy to reach from the Hermite area by ordering a taxi.
Opposite the fort majestically looks at the city of Manila Cathedral. Its building was built of unbaked brick in the Romanesque style. During the Second World War, the capital of the Philippines was almost completely destroyed. By some miracle, the Church of St. Augustine and the museum managed to survive. This Baroque church today is the oldest building in the city, which managed to survive five earthquakes and the strongest bombing, after which the whole of Manila turned into ruins. The church tower was only partially destroyed in the church building, which they did not begin to reconstruct. It is for this reason that today it looks a little asymmetrical. Near the church there is another historical building - a monastery, in the courtyard of which there is a beautiful garden. Now there is a museum where the works of church art are carefully stored.
But these are not all the most interesting places that the Philippines is rich in. Manila's attractions do not end there. Not far from the monastery is a complex of reconstructed structures of the Plaza San Luis. Currently, there are galleries of ancient art, beautiful restaurants and bars. In the same complex is the Casa Manila Museum, whose collections are dedicated to the life of the local aristocracy.
Going on vacation to the Philippines, the capital Manila offers guests to visit the largest park in southeast Asia, Risal Park. On its territory there are many interesting places, including a planetarium, a butterfly park, a monument to the heroes of the Philippines and a pavilion of living orchids. It is a kind of border between the tourist part and the modern district of Hermite. In the same park is the national museum of the country, which presents the richest collections of historical, biological, ethnographic and geological exhibits.