Making Connections

By Kat S.

The City I Call Home… I come from the capital

city Manila, which by the way, is in the Philippines. I absolutely love the place I am from, and am very proud to be a Filipino. For those of you who are not very familiar with my country, here is the Philippine map which clearly shows Manila. (I am actually also from Davao, but it isn’t shone on this map.)

Statistical Factors

Here are some recent statistics about the Philippines, to increase your understanding about the environment there.

Current Population: 97, 976, 603

Life Expectancy at Birth: About 71 Years

Median Age: About 22 Years

School Life Expectancy: 12 Years

80.9% of the Philippines is Roman Catholic

Most people in the Philippines speak Tagalog or English. But there are many other different dialects people can speak throughout the Philippines.

The Environmental Factors…

These factors are the ENVIRONMENTAL factors that attracted the Spanish over (the first and only people to conquer the Philippines. ) to Manila.

One of the many benefits of living in Manila, was that it was placed along the route of the Spice Trade.

Another factor was that there was a stable food supply due to the Central Luzon Rice Fields.

Plus, land there was flat and great for growing crops, such as indigo, tea, silk, etc. These items could very well be traded!

Lastly, they could have easy access to the excellent harbor at Manila Bay.

The Historical Factors… These factors are now the HISTORICAL factors which also

brought the Spanish over to the Manila.

The large population in Manila was a benefit for the Spanish. Most likely because there would be access to more slaves and laborers to help establish the city.

Another factor is that by moving to the Philippines, it would be easier to develop contacts with Japan and China to forward Christian missionary efforts. The Spanish wanted World Christianity, and in fact, they were the first ones to convert us Filipinos to Christians.

Whilst ruling, the Spanish began Government Tobacco Monopoly as well the growth of a cash-crop economy. Meaning, they would grow exquisite crops to be traded along the Spice Trade route. Due to these advances, there were bound to be many visitors.

Images Please! Here are some images projecting

the environmental factors!

This image is portraying the Spice Trade Route.

This picture shows the Philippine rice fields! See the lush, flat grounds?Perfect for any type of crop!

This is the Harbor at Manila Bay today!

More Pictures! Now here are some MORE pictures, this time, showing the HISTORICAL factors!

This is the map of Asia. As you can see, the Philippines is very close to China and Japan; which must have made it easier for the Spanish to make contact.

These peppers and indigo plants are only some of the plants that were cultivated in the cash-crop economy.

SourcesInformation Sources:1. Dolan , Ronald. "The Early Spanish Period ." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http://countrystudies.us/philippines/4.htm>.

2. The World Factbook . 27/11/09. CIA , Web. 22 Jan 2010. <https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/rp.html>.

Image Sources:"Overview Map of the Philippines ." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http://www.bohol.ph/img/rp-overview.gif>.

"The Asian Spice Trade in Pre-European Era." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http://ceramics.chalre.com/images/spice_trade_map.jpg>.

"Rice Fields, Philippines ." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http://lelechicon3hk.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Iloilo,_rice_fields.226204726_std.jpg>.

A Little More Reference…Image Sources:"Manila Harbor Bay, Philippines ." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http:// www.pixdaus.com/pics/1216427337WSFT2ih.jpg>.

"Asia Map." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http://www.backpackerasia.co.uk/images/asia-map.gif>.

"Bell Peppers ." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http://coolrain44.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/bell_peppers.jpg>.

"Indigo ." Web. 22 Jan 2010. <http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/garden/indigo.jpg>.

I hope this PowerPoint has helped your understanding about Manila and the Philippines!