Greater Manila Area

This article is about an area in Mega Manila. For the historical World War II–era city, see City of Greater Manila.

The Greater Manila Area (Filipino: Malawakang Maynila) is the contiguous urbanization region surrounding the Metropolitan Manila area. This built-up zone includes Metro Manila and the neighboring provinces of Bulacan to the north, Cavite and Laguna to the south, and Rizal to the east.^[1][2] Though sprawl continues to absorb new zones, some urban zones are independent clusters of settlements surrounded by non-urban areas.

Greater Manila Area Malawakang Maynila
Metro Manila skyline seen from Ortigas Center
Location of the Greater Manila Area within Luzon   Metro Manila   Manila   Central Luzon (Bulacan)   Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Rizal)   Provincial capitals (Antipolo, Imus, Malolos, Santa Cruz)
Country	Philippines
Provinces	Metro Manila Bulacan Cavite Laguna Rizal
Area
• Metro	7,967.95 km2 (3,076.44 sq mi)
Population
• Metro	28,250,517
• Metro density	3,500/km2 (9,200/sq mi)

In early 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the area was also referred to as the "NCR Plus" or "NCR+" (National Capital Region Plus) by authorities, with regard to the designation of community quarantines.^[3]

Statistics

Province or region	Population (2015)[4]	Population (2020)[5]	Area[6]	Density (2020)	Region	Mun	Cities	Brgy
Metro Manila	12,877,253	13,484,462	619.57 km2 (239.22 sq mi)	21,764/km2 (56,369/sq mi)	NCR	1	16	1,706
Bulacan	3,292,071	3,708,890	2,796.10 km2 (1,079.58 sq mi)	1,326/km2 (3,435/sq mi)	III	20	4	572
Cavite	3,678,301	4,344,829	1,574.17 km2 (607.79 sq mi)	2,760/km2 (7,149/sq mi)	IV-A	16	7	829
Laguna	3,035,081	3,382,193	1,917.85 km2 (740.49 sq mi)	1,764/km2 (4,568/sq mi)	IV-A	24	6	681
Rizal	2,884,227	3,330,143	1,191.94 km2 (460.21 sq mi)	2,794/km2 (7,236/sq mi)	IV-A	13	1	188
Total	25,766,933	28,250,517	8,099.63 km2 (3,127.28 sq mi)	3,488/km2 (9,034/sq mi)	GMA	74	34	3,973

The Greater Manila Area is composed with 34 cities (16 highly urbanized cities, and 18 component cities) and 74 municipalities.

See also

• Mega Manila
• Metro Manila
• Urban Luzon

References

1. Hamnett, Stephen; Forbes, Dean (2012). "12". Planning Asian Cities: Risks and Resilience. Routledge. p. 287. ISBN 978-1-136-63927-2. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
2. "Legarda Urges LGUs in Greater Metro Manila Area to Boost Defense against Disasters". Senate of the Philippines. March 16, 2012. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
3. Malasig, Jeline (March 22, 2021). "Greater Manila vs 'NCR Plus': Questions as gov't labels areas under GCQ 'bubble'". Interaksyon. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
4. Census of Population (2015). Highlights of the Philippine Population 2015 Census of Population. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 20 June 2016.
5. Census of Population (2020). Table B - Population and Annual Growth Rates by Province, City, and Municipality - By Region. Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
6. "List of Provinces". PSGC Interactive. Makati, Philippines: National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on April 19, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2014.