Life in Manila, the most densely populated city
With 71,263 people per square kilometre, the Pearl of the Orient is one of the fastest growing cities in the world.
Manila is the 17th largest city in the world. Originally known as Maynilà, it was Hispanicised into Manila by the Spanish.
Manila is the most crowded city in the world, with a population density of a whopping 71,263 people per square kilometre. Since ancient times, it has been an important trade centre of Southeast Asia, trading with kingdoms in China and Indonesia. When Spain conquered it in 1571, it became a global city alongside Mexico City and Madrid.
Being the capital of Philippines, Manila is multilingual and multiethnic. Manilans speak Tagalog, Cebuano, Hokkien, English and Spanish.
Tagalog and Cebuano are the native languages of the Philippines. English and Hokkien are the languages of business, while Spanish is still spoken by some natives.
Binondo, a district in Manila, is also the world’s oldest Chinatown. Established in 1594 by Spaniards as a settlement for Chinese Catholics, it was already a centre for Chinese trade.
Living in Manila has many advantages. It is a hub of domestic and international flights, and most people speak English. The cost of living is cheap or expensive, depending on where and how you want to live.
On the other hand, life in the most crowded city has its obvious downsides. Manila has the second-worst traffic in the world, after Bengaluru, India.
Despite being wealthy, Manila faces high income inequality, crime and illegal drug trade. On average, 9,100 cases are registered per year.
As a conclusion, Manila is a great place to experience Southeast Asia. The locals are friendly, but one should always be cautious.
