MANILA
Manila, the capital and the largest city of the Philippines, is situated on the western side of the island of Luzon, at the mouth of the Pasig River, which practically divides it into two parts and empties into Manila Bay. The city is almost in the centre of the archipelago. It is distant two days by sea from Hongkong, four days from Nagasaki, five from Shanghai, and 17 to 28 days from San Francisco or Seattle, according to the varying speed of the different vessels on the run.
The city of Manila was founded by Legaspi on June 24th, 1571. The erection of the fortifications around the present Walled City (Intramuros) was begun about 1590. In 1645, 1863 and 1880 the city suffered considerable damage froni earthquakes. The first newspaper was published in Manila in 1811. The port was opened to the commerce of the world in 1834, and the railroad line to Dagupan was completed in 1891. War having been declared between the United States and Spain, the fleet of the foriner on May 1st, 1898, sailed into Manila Bay and totally destroyed the Spanish fleet, practically with no loss to the attacking side. Thereafter Manila was blockaded until August 13th, when, a military force having arrived, the Americans took possession of the city.
Manila is the leading centre of foreign and domestic commerce as well as the rincipal port of the Country. The bulk of the imports and the exports of the country passes through this port. Foreign corporations engaged in business in the Philippines have their main offices and storehouses in Manila, whence branches are established in other local trade centres
The harbour of Manila is almost landlocked, and its deep anchorage basin is protected by a semi-circular stone breakwater. Four piers with modern cargo- handling equipment project into the harbour. The first is reserved for the use of the United States Army. The second, 600 feet long, is capable of stowing about 5,000 tons net. The third, which is 650 feet in length, has a stowing capacity of about 9,000 tons. The fourth pier, has about four times the cargo capacity of the third and a berthing capacity sufficient to accommodate four of the largest type of ships at one time,
The mouth of the Pasig River is used as anchorage space for steamers and sailing vessels engaged in inter-island commerce. Here can be seen launches moving in and out, towing cascos loaded with cargoes from steamers in the bay or from the warehouses on the banks of the river. The esteros or estuaries provide additional transportation channels to different parts of the city.
Manila is the main terminal of the Manila Railroad Company, with lines from northern to southern parts of Luzon. Several provincial roads enter the city, thereby making motor vehicle transportation feasible. Electric tramways run in the principal streets of the city and its suburbs.
The population of Manila in 1937 was 399,681. Of this number, 361,676 were Filipinos, 31,213 Chinese, 1,989 Americans, 1,170 Spaniards, 2,594 Japanese, 264 British, 277 Germans, 67 French, 36 Swiss, and the rest of other nationalities. There were 28,571 people to the square mile.
The area of the city of Manila is 13.72 square miles.. For all administrative and other municipal purposes the city has been divided into the following 15 districts: Tondo, San Nicolas, Binondo, Santa Cruz, Quiapo, San Miguel, Sampaloc San Lazaro, Intramuros (Walled City), The Port, Ermita, Malate, Paco, Pandacan, and Santa Ana. Tondo is inhabited by natives of the working class and is the most thoroughly Oriental. San Nicolas, Binondo, and Santa Cruz are the business districts; Intramuros, the extant example of a medieval town; while The Port with its piers, warehouses and other shipping facilities is the commercial Manila of the future. San Miguel, Ermita, and Malate are the residential districts.