Metro Manila is one of the twenty largest metropolitan areas, in terms of population, in the world. It is composed of Manila, the capital of the Philippines and 16 cities and municipalities. Nine cities and municipalities, including the City of Manila, are situated within the Laguna de Bay Region.

Metro Manila is the smallest of the country's administrative regions with a population of 9,932,560 (as of 2000) in an area of 636 km2, making it the most populous and most densely populated region in the Philippines. The region is surrounded by the provinces of Bulacan to the north, Rizal to the east, and Cavite and Laguna to the south. Metro Manila is also bordered by the Manila Bay to the west and the Laguna de Bay to the southeast, with the Pasig River running between them, bisecting the region.