Manila is the major seaport of the Philippines. But what did it take to make Manila such an important port?

Well first, we know a port must have access to good transportation on land or sea or both to succeed. Does Manila? The answer to this first question is 'yes.' Manila is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay, at the mouth of the Pasig River. The harbor there is deep and sheltered, and very convenient for ships. From Manila, ships carrying cargo have easy access to the South China Sea. Ships can travel throughout Asia easily from here, or they can cross over to the Philippine Sea and out to the Pacific Ocean to reach America and points West.

Manila also has good land transportation and good connections to other cities in the Philippines. A railroad line stretches North-South along Luzon Island, linking Manila with the city of Legaspi to the South and with San Fernando to the North.

Second, we know that a port must have access to goods to trade. Does Manila? The answer to this question is also 'yes.' For many years, Manila mostly traded agricultural goods, including sugar. But during the second half of the 20th century, Manila made itself a center for manufacturing goods. Many raw materials are now brought into Manila's port, transformed into finished products in nearby factories, and then shipped back out through the port.

Because we know so much about the history of ports by now, we might ask a third question about Manila. Was it settled by European traders in the 1500s or 1600s as they explored the world in search of goods to trade?

You might not be too surprised to learn that the answer to this question is also 'yes.' A good natural port such as Manila was irresistible to European explorers seeking goods to trade.

A Spanish explorer founded Manila in the 1500s as a fort after he conquered local Muslim leaders. Spain ruled Manila and the Philippines for nearly 400 years after that, except for a brief period during the 1700s when Britain controlled the city. In the late 1800s, the United States became involved in the Philippines because of its battle with the Spanish in the Spanish-American War.

U.S. ships steamed across the Pacific and destroyed all the Spanish ships in Manila's harbor in 1898. After that, though, the U.S. began fighting with local Filipinos. Peace was reached several years later, and the U.S. controlled Manila and the Philippines until World War II. Japan occupied Manila during World War II. After the war's conclusion, the Philippines won its independence.

Can you find Manila on a map? What is Manila's latitude and longitude?

The Philippines is part of the Ring of Fire, which stretches around the Pacific Ocean. What is the Ring of Fire and what does it do? Want to learn more? Follow this link: http://www.apl.com/boomerangbox/d031102.htm

Check out past Trade Topics entries!