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Philippines
South Korea
Area Comparison
Manila is 14.1x smaller than Seoul
Population Comparison
Manila has 5.3x fewer people than Seoul
In terms of area, Seoul is 14.1x the size of Manila. Seoul spans 605 km² (234 mi²) while Manila covers 43 km² (17 mi²) — a difference of 562 km². You could fit Manila inside Seoul approximately 14 times.
To put Manila's size in perspective, its area of 43 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Manhattan. Meanwhile, Seoul at 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City.
Capital of the Philippines and one of the most densely populated cities. Known as "Pearl of the Orient Seas", Manila covers 43 km² with a population of 1.9 million. The city was established in 1571. Manila is known for Intramuros walled city, Rizal Park, San Agustin Church, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the LRT & MRT Manila.
At 43 km², Manila's city proper is one of the smallest in Asia but has the highest population density of any major city in the world
Capital of South Korea and a major tech hub. Often called "The Soul of Asia", Seoul has an area of 605 km² and is home to 9.8 million people. The city dates back to 18 BC. Visitors come for Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangnam district, K-pop culture, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Seoul Metro.
Seoul's metro area contains nearly half of South Korea's entire population
Looking beyond city limits, the Seoul metropolitan area covers 11,704 km², which is 18.9x larger than greater Manila at 620 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 13.9 million.
Manila has a population density of 43,023 people per km² — one of the most densely packed urban areas on Earth. Seoul, with 16,149 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Manila is noticeably denser, packing 2.7 times more people per square kilometer.
Both cities are in Asia, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Manila (Philippines) and Seoul (South Korea) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Manila has a tropical savanna climate while Seoul experiences humid continental conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Manila stays around 26°C while Seoul drops to -3°C.
Size Ratio
Manila fits inside Seoul ~14 times
Density Gap
Manila is 2.7x more densely populated
History
Seoul is ~1,589 years older
The straight-line distance from Manila to Seoul is 2,621 km (1,629 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~3h 35m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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