Manila — capital of Philippines, is the most populous city in the world.
The capital of the Philippines is a real city of contrasts that will surprise even the seasoned traveler.
The population density in this city is the highest in the world — 17 761 people per km2, twice more than in new York. Moreover, Manila is located in the so-called “ring of fire” — the volcanic belt of the Pacific ocean, which the city is constantly natural disasters, such as earthquakes and hurricanes.
In addition to the environmental problems in Manila is experiencing economic and demographic difficulties. The fertility rate rose to 3.1 children per woman, besides the inhabitants of the city are faced with growing inequalities in living conditions. A growing number of high-rises and skyscrapers, but together with them, multiply and slums, which are looking for shelter all who have suffered from natural disasters or suffered a financial collapse.
Manila is located on the Northwest coast of the Philippines. The population, which is 1.6 million people, was divided into those who live in the prosperous business district of Makati city, and those who huddled on the fringes of poor neighbourhoods.
In the poorest areas of the city family together in makeshift community. They live in houses built on stilts and clothing drying on ropes stretched between the rickety roofs.
Due to frequent floods debris constantly falls into the water, contaminating it, leading to the risk of bacterial diseases.
In severe cases, as, for example, in 2009, when the city was rocked by a series of floods, sports halls were used as shelters. However, the population density has not decreased — people simply moved from one place to another.
But in the quiet times in Manila is not overcrowded. To get anywhere, the townspeople have to choose: stuck in traffic on the machine or standing in crowded buses and trains.
