The Philippines

The Philippines, also known as the Republic of the Philippines (Tagalog: Republika ng Pilipinas), is a
tropical county in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean.
The Philippines exists of 7,107 islands. The main geographical divisions are Luzon, Visayas and
Mindanao. The capital city is Manila. The estimated population amounts to 94 million people, containing
multiple ethnicities and cultures.

Main cities of the Philippines

Quezon City
Quezon City is the largest city, both in population and land area, in Metro Manila. From 1948 to 1976
Quezon City was the capital city of The Philippines. The House of Representatives of the Philippines at
the Batasang Pambansa Complex and the metropolis largest source of water (the Novaliches Resevoir)
are hosted by Quezon City.
Places worth seeing: Ace Water Spa, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, La Mesa Nature Reserve,
Unfinished Port.
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Luzon
2,680,000
166 square kilometers / 64 square miles

Manila
Manila is the capital city of the Philippines (from 1571 to 1948 and from 1976 to present). Manila forms an
agglomeration (Metro Manila) with 16 other cities. Manila is the political, scientific and cultural centre of
the Philippines. In addition, the city has multiple universities, theatres, museums and other places of
interest.
Places worth seeing: Intramuros (the oldest district of the city of Manila), Manila Cathedral, San Agustin
Church (listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List), Fort Santiago, National Museum of the Filipino
People (work of art), Metropolitian Museum of Manila (pre-Spanish jewelry), Roxas Boulevard (wonderful
view on Manila Bay & good sea-food restaurants), Anilao Outrigger Resort (diving activities).
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Luzon
1,660,000
39 square kilometers / 15 square miles

Caloocan
Caloocan is part of the National Captial Region known as Metro Manila. Caloocan is surrounded by many
other cities such as Quezon City, Manila, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela and San Jose Del Monte
Bulacan. The name Caloocan comes from the Tagalog word lo-ok which means innermost area.
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Davao City

Luzon
1,380,000
53 square kilometers / 21 square miles

Davao City is the largest city of the Philippines in terms of land area. Davao City is the capital of the
Davao Region. The city borders the foot of the highest mountain of the Philippines (Mt. Apo, 2,954 meter).
While other main cities of the Philippines have high-rise buildings, most of the buildings in Davao City are
low-rise due to the high risk of earthquakes in the area. The environment is green and the city is known as
the safest city of the country and for its best police force. Francicso Bangoy International Airport is located
near Davao City.
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Mindanao
1,360,000
2,444 square kilometers / 944 square miles

Cebu City
Cebu City, also known as The Queen City of the South, is the capital city of the province Cebu. It is the
oldest city of the country. Together with 9 other cities, Cebu City forms the agglomeration Metro Cebu.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport is located on the island Mactan, which is near the coast of Cebu City.
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Cebu
800,000
315 square kilometers / 122 square miles

Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City is also known as the City of Flowers. Zamboanga City is a so-called chartered city in
the South of the Philippines. Many citizens of Zamboanga speak Spanish. Place of interest: Fort Pilar
(17th century).
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Mindanao
775,000
1,415 square kilometers / 573 square miles

Antipolo
Due to its location on the hills immediately east of Metro Manila, Antipolo is also known as the City in the
Sky. Antipolo is a real tourist city, being host to a Marian shrine and the Hinulugang Taktak National Patk.
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Luzon
635,000
306 square kilometers / 118 square miles

Pasig
Pasig hosts most of the Ortigas Center, one of the top business districts of the country. Before Pasig
hosted the capitol and many government buildings of the province Rizal, but from 1975 the city was
incorporated into Metro Manila.
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Luzon
615,000
31 square kilometers / 12 square miles

Taguig
Taguig is part of Metro Manila. Before it was known for its thriving fishing community, but recently it

became an important residential, commercial and industrial center. Taguig is ranked first in the Ease of
Doing Business index by the World Banks International Finance Corporation.
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Luzon
610,000
48 square kilometers / 19 square miles

Valenzuela
Together with 16 other cities Valenzuela, officially known as the City of Valenzuela, forms Metro Manila.
Valenzuela is a highly-urbanized, first-class city, with an industrial and residential suburb of Manila. Since
Valenzuela has become a city in 1998, its economy has flourished and its population has swelled
significantly.
Island:
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Luzon
570,000
45 square kilometers / 17 square miles