Located in the heart of Metro Manila, Makati City is approximately 27.36 square kilometers in size and makes up 4.3% of Metro Manila's total land area. It is bordered north by the Pasig River, northeast by Pasig City, southeast by Taguig City and the national municipality of Pateros, northwest by the City of Manila, and southwest by Pasay City.
Destination Highlights
Airport: Ninoy Aquino International Airport
Area Code: 63(2)
Banking and Currency: As a major financial center, Makati has all the major banks represented. Credit cards are welcome and easiest to use. The unit of currency is the peso (P), divided into 100 centavos. Banknotes come in 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 1000 and 2000 pesos.
Exchange Rate: $1US = 42.06P; 1 EUR = 67.01P
Entry Requirements: No visas needed for stays under 21 days. Visitors must carry valid passports, have an onward ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds for length of stay. 59 day visas and yearlong multiple entry visas may be obtained from an embassy or consulate. Regulations are subject to frequent change.
Geography: The Philippines is an archipelago composed of 7,107 islands. It is rich in natural resources, world-famous beaches, and tropical rainforests. It has a total land area of about 300,000 square kilometers (116,000 square miles), of which 65% is mountainous. It is divided into 3 island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. The population is concentrated in Metro Manila (to which Makati City belongs) on Luzon.
Getting Around: Limousines, taxis, colorful jeepneys and rapid transit. Driving within the city is not recommended.
Government: Republic - Representative democracy based on U.S. ssytem. President--Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Independence Day: June 12, 1898
Languages: Filipino (based on Tagalog), English
Location: In the geographic center of Metro Manila
Latitude (DMS): 12°011' N
Longitude (DMS): 14° 331' E
Total area: 300,000 sq. km. (117,187 sq. mi.).
Population: 90.5 million.; Makati City, 510,383. People: Filipinos (Malay, Chinese origins)
Time Zone: PST - 8 hours ahead of Greenich Mean Time (GMT+8). Daylight Savings Time is not
Taxes: No sales tax. 10% & 12% VAT, Departure Tax - P550.