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Manila - The People and the Culture Overview

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With over 1.5 million people in its mere 38.55 km², the city of Manila is more densely populated than any other in the world. Plus, more than a million workers and students enter and exit the city every day. This has quite on impact on the personality of the city. Home to more than 10 million people, that area known as Metro Manila is a huge metropolis, and Manila itself has been called one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. It is the second biggest city in the Philippines (by population) and has a place on the roster of the world’s global cities.

Another factor shaping Manila’s culture is the diversity of the city, evident in the racial integration and language. The original people in Manila were the Muslim Tagalogs; however, history brought Chinese, Spaniards, Visayans, Bicolanos, and more people to the city. Now, you will also find Arabs, Indians, Koreans, Americans, and many more people groups there. Manila is now a very diverse city, and the integration of cultures is accepted fairly well; issues like intermarriage are not generally a problem there. The primary language of Manileños is Filipino, the country’s language that comes from Tagalog. Plus, most of the people in Manila are fluent in English and some in Spanish – a tribute to Manila’s heritage.

Many things in Manila’s history have shaped its people and the city’s culture. It has been through much war and turmoil in its history since the 1500s; and even today it faces challenges like pollution, crime, and overpopulation. However, the country continues to be a diverse and exciting city, filled with people of many races, religions, and economic levels and with thrilling opportunities to travel, shop, learn, and more.

Next Page: How do people in Manila travel?

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