The population of Manila has been growing since 1950, steadily climbing (see graph, to the right). In 1950, the population was 1.5 million, this has increased to 11.7 million by 2010. The population has become much denser, and the position of the majority of the population has shifted and compacted into a smaller area of more urban areas, as more people has realised the benefits of living in the city. The city of Manila was heavily influenced by Indian culture, but recently there have been more changes to post-modernism. Although Manila is still growing, it can never match the growth percentage of the 1970’s.

1520-The Kingdom of Maynila: 'At the very mouth of the Pasig River was the island called Maynila. As a town, it was just becoming well-known. In fact, it may have been founded only a couple of generations earlier. In the 1520s it was known in the Visayas but by the 1560s the Visayas had already heard of the Kingdom of Maynila. '(N.Joaquin, 2008). The kingdom of Maynila was one one of the 3 main cities in Manila, along the lower reaches of the Pasig River, before the Spanish Colonization in the 16th Century.

1899-The Battle of Manila Bay: In the battle of Manila Bay (see photo, to the right) 1899-1902, the Spanish, who were governing Manila at the time, fought against the invading Americans and were eventually defeated. The Americans then took over the city and began their reign.