There are two versions of this false etymology.
Plate depicting the "nilad" plant ( Scyphiphora hydrophylacea), from Augustinian missionary Frayįrancisco Manuel Blanco's botanical reference, " Flora de Filipinas"Īn antiquated, inaccurate, and now debunked etymological theory held that the city's name originated from the word may-nilad (meaning "where nilad is found"). Maynila settlement was founded and named. The name Maynilà was probably bestowed because of the indigo-yielding plants that grow in the area surrounding the settlement, and not because it was known as a settlement that traded in indigo dye: Indigo-dye extraction became an important economic activity in the area only in the 18th century, several hundred years after the Several plant species from which this naturalĭye can be extracted. Sanskrit word nīla ( नील), which refers to 2.5 Post-war years and the martial law era (1945–1986)įilipino name for the city, comes from the phrase may-nilà, meaning "where indigo is found".2.4 Japanese occupation and World War II.Global Financial Centres Index ranks Manila 79th in the world. Global city and ranked it seventh in economic performance globally and second regionally, while the Globalization and World Cities Research Network listed Manila as an "Alpha-" Six political districts for the purposes of its representation in theĬongress of the Philippines and the election of city council members. The city comprisesġ6 administrative districts and is divided into Pasig River flows through the middle of the city, dividing it into the north and south sections. Manila is located on the eastern shore of Most densely populated city proper in the world. With 71,263 people per square kilometer, Manila is the The city proper was home to 1,846,513 people in 2020, and is the historic core of a built-up area that extends well beyond its administrative limits. It is the most populous region in the country, one of the most populous urban areas in the world, and is one of the wealthiest regions in Southeast Asia.
The officially defined metropolitan area, calledĬapital region" of the Philippines, includes the much larger Greater metropolitan area, or the city proper. The term "Manila" is commonly used to refer to the whole metropolitan area, the Today, it is home to many historic sites, some of which were built during the 16th century.
Manila was the seat of power for most of the country's colonial rulers and was one of the royal Spanish cities in the Philippines in the Intramuros was built directly on top of the site of old Maynilà. After the defeat of the polity's last indigenousīattle of Bangkusay, a fortified Spanish city called It is the name of this old polity from which the Spanish and English name Manila derives. Maynilà had already existed on the site, dating back as far asġ258. This is regarded as the city's official founding date however, a Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi. Spanish city of Manila was founded on June 24, 1571, by It is among the most populous and fastest growing cities in Galleon trade when this was accomplished, it marked the first time in world history that an uninterrupted chain of trade routes circling the planet had been established. Global cities because its commercial networks were the first to extend across the Pacific Ocean and connect Asia with the Manila is considered to be part of the world's original set of 409, "The Revised Charter of the City of Manila," on June 18, 1949. It became autonomous with the passage of Republic Act No. It was the first chartered city in the country, designated as such by the Philippine Commission Act 183 of July 31, 1901.
Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC). Manila is considered to be a global city and rated as an Alpha – City by Highly urbanized and as of 2019 was the world's Philippines, and its second-most populous city. Tagalog: Siyudad ng Maynila, locally ), is the Manila ( / m ə ˈ n ɪ l ə/ mə- NIL-ə, Spanish: įilipino: Maynila, pronounced ), known officially as the City of Manila (įilipino: Lungsod ng Maynila, locally