The capital city of Manila lounges on the shores of Manila Bay, one of the world’s finest natural harbors. Owing to its excellent protected harbor, Manila has been a thriving trading hub for over a millennium. It has also been the site of many a bloody battle over the centuries, as Spain, Britain, Holland, the US and Philippines have vied for control over the strategic port.

This palm tree-fringed coastal city now serves as the chief seaport of the country and boasts a diverse manufacturing sector that produces anything from chemicals, to food processing, electronic goods to tobacco products. Local entrepreneurs thrive here, processing primary commodities for export, such as rope, plywood, refined sugar and coconut oil.

Manila is the world’s most densely populated city. Its population density per km2 is more than double Calcutta’s and almost three times as high as Shanghai’s. This understandably places considerable pressure on the city’s infrastructure. During storms,  Manila’s streets are prone to flooding and electrical outages are the norm rather than the exception.

If you are moving here for work, it is advisable to find accommodation near to your workplace, given that the public transport infrastructure is often overwhelmed. While taxis are abundant and cheap, the traffic is often extremely heavy.

Manila’s passion for trade, which predates the Spanish conquistadors to the Ming Dynasty, is evident in the city’s plethora of shopping options. Manila’s early trade link with China lives on in the Binondo (the world’s oldest Chinatown), which you can find in the Qiapo (Old Downtown).

The city is liberally endowed with major shopping malls (notably Robinsons Mall) and local shopping districts. Western groceries can be found in Robinsons and Fiesta Mall and Food Aisles, as well as in a range of specialty shops, such as Union Jack. If you tire of the fantastic local fare, a handful of pubs offer traditional "pub grub" and international restaurants abound.

While the Philippines is often misunderstood, many of the transferees who have lived here say it is “Asia's best-kept secret.”  Manila, the capital of the Philippines, often tops the polls of favored places for expatriates and their families. World-class beaches, idyllic mountains and stunning diving all within easy access add to the pull of the Philippines. The capital city Manila lounges on the shores of Manila Bay, one of the world’s finest natural harbors. Owing to its excellent protected harbor, Manila has been a thriving trading hub for over a millennium. It has also been the site of many a bloody battle over the centuries, as Spain, Britain, Holland, the US and Philippines have vied for control over the strategic port. This palm tree-fringed coastal city now serves as the chief seaport of the country and boasts a diverse manufacturing sector that produces anything from chemicals to food processing, electronic goods to tobacco products. Local entrepreneurs thrive here, processing primary commodities for export, such as rope, plywood, refined sugar and coconut oil. The Philippines is also a rich source of natural gas and minerals so is an expanding area for mining and gas exploration. It has overtaken India with the largest BPO (business process outsourcing) industry in the world.

Manila is the world’s most densely populated city. Its population density per square kilometer is more than double Kolkata's and almost three times as high as Shanghai’s. Understandably, this places considerable pressure on the city’s infrastructure. During storms, Manila’s streets are prone to flooding and electrical outages are the norm rather than the exception. Manila’s passion for trade, which predates the Spanish conquistadors to the Ming Dynasty, is evident in the city’s plethora of shopping options. Manila’s early trade link with China lives on in the Binondo (the world’s oldest Chinatown), which you can find in the Qiapo (Old Downtown). The city is liberally endowed with major shopping malls (notably Mall of Asia) and local shopping districts.