Manila occupies the low, fertile, deltaic plain of the Pasig River, which flows through the city. The tropical monsoonal climate has a wet season from June to November and a dry season from December to May. The year-round temperature is about 81° F (27° C).

Manila's principal business areas stretch from the Pasig River toward the densely populated Tondo district. The district of San Miguel is the site of Malacañang Palace, the former presidential residence. Inland toward the south are ruins of the old Spanish walled city, Intramuros, renowned for its 16th-century San Agustin Church and other historical sites. Impressive public buildings rise in the area of parks and gardens east and south of Intramuros. The Makati is a large modern development with tall office buildings, hotels, embassies, and a shopping center. Architecture throughout the city reflects Spanish, Chinese, Malayan, and American influences.

For centuries Manila has been the economic, political, social, and cultural center of the Philippines. Metropolitan Manila houses many of the major institutions of higher learning, including the University of Santo Tomás, established in 1611, the oldest in the Far East, the University of the Philippines (1908), the University of the City of Manila, and the Technological University of the Philippines. There are several medical colleges and a regional branch of the World Health Organization. Major theaters are the Folk Arts, the Metropolitan, and an open-air theater in Rizal Park. Other points of interest are the Philippines Cultural Center, the heart of the country's performing arts activities, the National Library, the National Museum, the National Institute of Science and Technology, and Rizal Park.

Public transportation includes local buses, commuter trains, jeepneys (small, colorful jeeplike buses), and taxis. Inner-city traffic is very congested as more than half of the country's private vehicles are concentrated in Manila. Expressways and railways connect the city with northern and southeastern Luzon. Manila International Airport is located about 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of the city. Manila North Harbor is the local port, and the sheltered Manila South Harbor is the busy international port.

Most Manilans are Filipinos, and most of these belong to the Tagalog ethnic and linguistic group. There are also small groups of Chinese, Americans, and Europeans. About 90 percent of the population are Roman Catholics. Most Filipinos speak Pilipino, but English is widely used.

As the center of trade and finance of the country, Manila is the home of major banks, insurance companies, and the Manila Stock Exchange. Its industries employ more than half of the country's industrial workers. Diverse manufacturing activities include publishing and printing, food and beverage processing, textiles, pharmaceuticals, footwear, paper, rope, chemicals, soap, tobacco goods, plywood, machinery, and shipbuilding.

Manila was developed largely by the Spaniards, who took control of the Philippines in the 17th century. The United States took possession of the islands in 1898 after the battle of Manila Bay, in which Commo. George Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet. This decisive battle resulted in the fall of the Philippines and the final United States victory in the Spanish-American War (see Spanish-American War). Thereafter, modern buildings, industries, public utilities, and better port and health facilities developed rapidly. Japanese troops occupied Manila from Jan. 2, 1942, to Feb. 4, 1945. It was heavily damaged by American bombing in 1945 but was largely rebuilt after the war.

For nearly four centuries Manila served as the sole capital of the Philippines. In 1948, when nearby Quezon City was named the official capital, Manila became the administrative capital. It regained the title of official capital in 1976. (See also Aquino, Corazon; Marcos, Ferdinand; Philippines.) Population (2000 census), city, 1,581,082; metropolitan area, 9,932,560.