What is the capital of the Philippines?

The capital of the Philippines is Manila.

Manila lies on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island. It is the capital city proper, while Metro Manila is the broader National Capital Region containing Manila, Quezon City, Makati, and several other cities.

The settlement became a major political center during Spanish rule. In 1571, Miguel López de Legazpi established the walled district of Intramuros and made Manila the capital of the Spanish East Indies. Its position helped it become a key port in the Manila–Acapulco galleon trade, linking Asia with the Americas for more than two centuries.

A common mix-up is Quezon City, which served as the national capital from 1948 until 1976. Presidential Decree No. 940 restored Manila as the capital in 1976, although government offices are now distributed across several parts of Metro Manila.