Santa Mesa is one of the 16 geographical districts of the city of Manila, which is primarily a residential, commercial and educational center. Santa Mesa is bounded by several districts and cities. To its north is Quezon City, San Juan City to its northeast, Mandaluyong City to its east, the district Santa Ana to its south, Pandacan to its southwest and the district of Sampaloc to its west. The town was a former part of Sampaloc, and was separated from it after the district fell into the District 6 jurisdiction. Being a former part of Sampaloc, Santa Mesa acquired barangays from the former district, barangays 587-636. The town has a population of 98,901 as of 2007.