Getting A Glimpse Of Manila Philippines

Do you plan to travel in Asia? Then a glimpse of Manila Philippines may be a top pick.

The largest city and the capital city of the Philippines, Manila is situated in Southwest Luzon-the largest island of the Philippine archipelago. The city extends widely to the traversable Pasig River to the eastern coast of Manila Bay, a natural port that is also famous for recreation and well-known destination for walks and viewing the sunset.

Manila is among the popular cities that comprise the greater manila area (GMA) or the Metropolitan Manila (Metro Manila). It is bounded on the North by Navotas and Caloocan; on the northeast by Quezon City, on the east by San Juan and Mandaluyong, on the southeast by Makati City; and on the couth by Pasay City. Inhabited by over close to 2 million people, the city is second only to Quezon City in terms of population.

Brief History on Manila

In ancestry, Manila's official name then was Seludong/Selurung, similar to the name given to southwestern Luzon at that time signifying it was the center of the territory. But Manila has gotten its present name from the well-known Maynilad, a name given to the city then by its Tagalog populace. Said name is coined from the phrase "may nilad" meaning there is nilad, a flowering mangrove plant that grows on the bay shores and used as a main ingredient for soap.

During the Spanish colonization of the Philippines from 1565 to 1898, Manila was the seat of Spanish regime in the country. In 1898, the Americans took over the Spaniards ruling the country until 1946. The World War II wreaked its havoc in Manila, Philppines destroying much of the locality. In 1975, Manila became the largest part of the Metropolitan region (Metro Manila).

Districts and Barangays

Manila is composed of 16 districts, all of which except Port Area, have their own churches and are known in their own rights. These districts are: Binondo, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Miguel, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santa Mesa, Tondo comprising the North districts, and Ermita, Intramuros, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, Port Area, San Andres Bukid, and Sta. Ana consisting the Southern districts. From these 16 districts, there are 897 barangays. For convenience, these barangays are further subdivided into zones and districts.

Parks and Recreation

Aside from Manila Bay and Intramuros, two popular destinations in the City from its historical days to present, there are numerous parks and recreations that are noted not only for their historical significance but also for their architecture.

The country's major park, the renowned Rizal Park, is located south of Intramuros. The park is more popularly known today as Luneta (which means crescent-shaped in Spanish) park, and formerly as Bagumbayan (which means new township). Rizal Park or Luneta rests on a 60-hectare area, the site where Jose Rizal, Philippine's national hero, was out to death by the Spanish government through a firing squad on insurrection charges. The Rizal monument in honor of the national hero is also situated on the park. Located on the west of the monument is kilometer zero for road distances on Luzon as well as the rest of the Philippine archipelago.

There are also other tourist attractions that can be found in Rizal Park. Among them are the following:

* Chinese garden
* Japanese garden
* National Museum of the Philippines
* National Library of the Philippines

One can also feast its eyes on the Orchidarium and Butterfly Pavillion, and the Planetarium. To enjoy cultural performances, there is an open auditorium for this purpose, a children's lagoon, a chess plaza, light and sound presentation, a relief map of the Philippines, a fountain area, and the eminent Quirino Grandstand where until present, most bigger assemblies and gatherings are held. The area of the park is also home to the Department of Tourism.

More open public parks and areas for recreation and sigh-seeing are as follow;

* Rajah Sulayman Park
* Manila Boardwalk
* Liwasang Bonifacio
* Plaza Miranda
* Mehan Garden
* Paco Park
* Remedios Circle
* Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden

Manila, Philippines is one of the best options if you are to travel within Asia.