Manila is the capital city of the Philippines. The city is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on the largest and northernmost Philippine island, Luzon. Despite pockets of extreme poverty, it is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world and its metropolitan area is the country's economic, cultural, educational, and industrial center.

Manila is the hub of a thriving metropolitan area of more than 12 million people. The Metro Manila area, which the City of Manila belongs to, is a much bigger metropolis consisting of 17 cities and municipalities. Over the centuries, Manila grew, from a small Muslim fishing village on the banks of the Pasig River, into the seat of the colonial government of Spain when it controlled the Philippine Islands. Later on, the Americans controlled the Philippines and Manila became an internationally-known city in the Orient. During World War II, much of the city was destroyed, but was eventually rebuilt. In 1975, to better manage the affairs of the fast-growing region, the city of Manila and the surrounding towns and cities were incorporated into an independent entity, Metropolitan Manila.

Today, the city and the metropolis thrives as an important cultural and economic center. Five-star hotels and restaurants, some of them housed in historic buildings, make the perfect party place in the city. The nightlife offers everything from dazzling cultural shows to futuristic discotheques, lively casinos, sensational entertainment lounges, and fashionable cafes.