[1] In 1898, it comprised the city of Manila (primarily referring to present-day Intramuros) and 23 other municipalities.

In 1901, the province was dissolved, with the city of Manila absorbing six of its smaller neighboring municipalities.

The remaining part was merged with the adjacent district of Morong to form the province of Rizal.

The districts of Binondo, Dilao, Ermita, Malate, Pandacan, Quiapo, Sampaloc, San Miguel, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz, and Tondo are often referred to as "pueblos", "arrabales" ("suburbs") or "neighbourhoods" of Manila.

The name Manila originally referred to the "city within the walls" (now Intramuros), but its meaning eventually came to include the suburbs surrounding it, leading to confusion about which places constitute "Manila" in the late 19th century.