List of cities in the world by population. The largest cities in the world – top by area and population

Exploring cities is an extremely interesting activity. Each of them has its own history, and they are all so different: industrial giants, resort areas and tiny provincial towns. But among them there are largest cities in the world by area And. We'll find out who made it into our top 10 later.

Let us note right away that it is quite difficult to determine the boundaries of the territories of modern cities and make a rating of the largest of them. To be as accurate as possible, the researchers use a so-called light footprint - this is an area of ​​​​artificial illumination of a populated area and its suburbs from the height of an airplane. Satellite maps are also used, which clearly show cities and rural areas that are not included in them.

Area 1580 km²

The list of the largest cities in the world by area opens with the capital of the foggy Albina. It is the largest metropolis in the European Union and the leading financial, political and economic center of the country. It occupies an area of ​​about 1580 square kilometers. London is a favorite place for tourists who want to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the famous Royal Guards and many other equally interesting attractions.

Area 2037 km²

Ninth place in the ranking of the largest cities in the world by area is Sydney. It covers an area of ​​2037 square kilometers. In many rankings it occupies a leading position as the largest metropolis. The fact is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics includes the nearest national parks and the Blue Mountains in Sydney. As a result, Sydney's formal territory is 12,145 square kilometers. Be that as it may, it is the largest metropolis in Australia and Oceania.

Area 2189 km²

In 8th place among the largest cities in the world by area, it occupies an area of ​​2189 square kilometers. The capital of Japan is the most important economic, political and cultural center of the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Tokyo is an incredibly beautiful city in which modernity and antiquity are closely intertwined. Here, next to ultra-modern high-rise buildings, you can find tiny houses on narrow streets, as if straight out of ancient engravings. Despite the severe earthquake of 1923 and the destruction caused to the city during World War II, Tokyo is one of the fastest growing modern metropolises.

Area 3530 km²

The Pakistani port city with an area of ​​3,530 square kilometers ranks 7th in the list of the largest metropolises in the world. It is the first capital of Pakistan and the main industrial, financial and commercial center of the state. At first XVIII century Karachi was a small fishing village. After Karachi was captured by British troops, the village quickly grew into a major port city. Since then, it has grown and played an increasingly important role in the country's economy. These days, due to the influx of migrants, overpopulation has become one of the main problems of the metropolis.

Area 4662 km²

– in 6th place in the list of the largest cities in the world by area. The capital of Russia is considered the second largest city in Europe after Istanbul. The area of ​​the metropolis is 4662 square kilometers. This is not only the political and financial, but also the cultural center of the country, attracting a huge number of tourists.

Area 5343 km²

The center of trade and industry, as well as the main port of Turkey, with an area of ​​5343 square kilometers, ranks 5th in the ranking of the largest cities in the world. It is located in a picturesque location - on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait. Istanbul is a unique city, which at one time was the capital of four great empires and is located simultaneously in Asia and Europe. There are many beautiful ancient monuments here: the thousand-year-old St. Sophia Cathedral, the majestic Blue Mosque, the luxurious Dolmabahce Palace. Istanbul amazes with the abundance of a wide variety of museums. Since most of them are located in the center, it is convenient for many tourists to combine their visit with walks around this beautiful city.

Area 5802 km²

It ranks fourth in the ranking of the largest megacities in the world by area. The city is located on an area of ​​5802 square kilometers. The city received the status of capital of the Republic of Brazil relatively recently - in 1960. The construction of the metropolis was planned in such a way as to attract people to sparsely populated areas and develop them. Therefore, Brazil is located far from the main economic and political centers of the country.

Area 6340 km²

With a territory of 6340 square kilometers, it ranks third in the list of the largest cities in the world by area. Shanghai is inhabited by about 24 million people. This is one of the most interesting and unusual Chinese cities. It can be said to reflect modern China - energetic, fast-growing and future-oriented. Shanghai is one of the largest shopping centers in the world.

Area 7434 km²

The Chinese metropolis with an area of ​​7434.4 square kilometers ranks second in the ranking of the largest cities in the world. It is the industrial, political and cultural center of the southern regions of China. Population: approximately 21 million people. Guangzhou has a thousand-year history. Previously in Europe the city was known as Canton. The maritime part of the Great Silk Road began from here. The city has long provided refuge for all those who opposed state power and often became the center of unrest against the power of the Beijing emperors.

Area 16,801 km²

The largest city in the world by area is one of the most significant settlements in China. The total area of ​​the giant metropolis is 16,801 square kilometers. Almost 22 million people live in Beijing. The city harmoniously combines antiquity and modernity. It has been the residence of Chinese rulers for three thousand years. Ancient monuments are carefully preserved in the very center of the metropolis, where everyone can admire them. Particularly interesting is the former residence of the emperors of China, the Forbidden City. This is the main attraction of the city, which is visited annually by more than 7 million tourists from all over the world.

While preserving ancient and medieval buildings and monuments, Beijing is developing as a modern high-tech metropolis.

10

Hacca is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh. Located in the Ganges delta, on the left bank of the Buriganga. Dhaka is considered the “rickshaw capital of the world” - more than 300 thousand of these colorfully painted “carts” are officially registered here, without which not a single event can take place.

9

Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation, a city of federal significance, the administrative center of the Central Federal District and the center of the Moscow Region, which it is not part of. Moscow is the largest financial center on an all-Russian scale, an international business center and a management center for a large part of the country's economy. For example, about half of the banks registered in Russia are concentrated in Moscow. According to Ernst & Young, Moscow ranks 7th among European cities in terms of investment attractiveness.

8

Mumbai is a city in western India, on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The administrative center of the state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the cultural center of the country, with many museums and art galleries, concerts with the participation of both national performers and world-famous stars, and the largest film companies in all of India are located here.

7

Guangzhou is a city of sub-provincial significance of the People's Republic of China, the capital of Guangdong Province, the political, economic, scientific, technical, educational, cultural and transport center of all southern China.

6

Tambul is the largest city in Turkey, the main commercial, industrial and cultural center, and the main port of the country. It is located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait, dividing it into European and Asian parts, connected by bridges and a metro tunnel. It is the first city in Europe in terms of population (taking into account the population living in both the European and Asian parts). Former capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin and Ottoman empires.

5

Lagos is a port city in southwestern Nigeria, the largest city in the country. Lagos is the most populous city in Africa. Lagos is home to approximately half of Nigeria's industry.

4

Delhi is located in northern India on the banks of the Jamna River. Delhi is a cosmopolitan city where different cultures are mixed. Delhi has also become a city of science, and occupies a leading position not only in the field of information technology and telecommunications, but also in natural sciences and applied sciences. 30% of India's IT is concentrated in Delhi (here Delhi is second only to Bangalore, which has 35% of IT specialists).

3

Beijing is the capital and one of the central cities of the People's Republic of China. Beijing is surrounded on three sides by Hebei Province and borders Tianjin in the southeast. The headquarters of most national companies in China are located in Beijing. China's largest transportation hub, Beijing is the origin of many highways and railways, and Beijing Capital International Airport is the second-largest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic.

2

Arachi is a port city in the south of Pakistan, the largest city in the country and one of the largest cities in the world, the administrative center of the Sindh province. The favorable geographical position of the city, located in a convenient natural harbor, contributed to its rapid growth and development during the colonial period and especially after the division of British India into two independent states in 1947 - India and Pakistan.

1

Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the largest cities in the world by population. Located in the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China. The industrial sector of the city occupies a leading position in the state. The most profitable and developed areas are automotive production, mechanical engineering, petrochemical refining, metallurgy, textile and light industry.

Shanghai is a cozy, hospitable and, at the same time, the most highly developed metropolis in China. It miraculously intertwines western chic and oriental charm. The metropolis is replete with expensive restaurants, breathtaking skyscrapers, fashionable shopping centers, casinos, luxury hotels and ancient architectural buildings. Europeans often compare it with Venice and Paris, and therefore the city has even acquired many beautiful nicknames - Pearl of the East, shopping paradise, Eastern Paris.

Every country in the world has a huge number of cities. Small and large, poor and rich, resort and industrial.

All settlements are remarkable in their own way. One is famous for its landscapes, another is famous for its entertainment, and the third for its history. But there are also cities that are famous due to their area. So, here are the largest cities in the world by area.

The largest city in the world

This title belongs to the city of Chongqing, it is located in the central part of China, and its area is 82,400 square meters. km, although this includes not only the territory of the city itself, but also the area of ​​the territory subordinate to the city. According to official data, the city occupies an area 470 km long from east to west and 450 km wide from north to south, which corresponds to the size of a country like Austria.

Chongqing is administratively divided into 19 districts, 15 counties and 4 autonomous counties. According to 2010 data, the population is 28,846,170 people. But more than 80 percent of the residents live in rural areas; only 6 million people live in the city itself.

Chongqing is one of the ancient cities of China, its history goes back more than 3000 years. In the late Paleolithic era, primitive people already lived here. This is due to the fact that the city was founded on the site where the Jialing River flows into the deep Yangtze.

The city is surrounded by three mountains: Dabashan in the north, Wushan in the east and Dalushan in the south. Due to the hilly landscape of the area, Chongqing was nicknamed "mountain city" (Shancheng). It is located at an altitude of 243 meters above sea level.

The largest cities in the world

Often, the degree of urbanization reaches the point that, as cities expand, they are so closely intertwined with production, transport and cultural connections and merge into one whole. Such a cluster of “fused” cities is called an urban agglomeration.

One of the largest is the New York agglomeration, formed around one large core city of New York. Its total area is 30,671 square meters. km, population – almost 24 million people. The Greater New York metropolitan area also includes Northern New Jersey, Long Island, Newark, Bridgeport, New Jersey's five largest cities (Newark, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Paterson and Trenton) and six of the seven largest cities Connecticut (Bridgeport, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury).

The largest cities in North America by area

But New York is not the largest city in North America, or even in its own country. The total area of ​​the center of the largest agglomeration is only 1214.9 square meters. km, it consists of 5 districts: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island. The population does not exceed 8.5 million people. Therefore, New York ranks only third on the list of largest cities by area in North America.

Second place goes to Los Angeles, the city of angels, located in the south of California, its area is 1302 square meters. km. The city is the center of Greater Los Angeles, an agglomeration with a population of over 17 million people. It is also better known as a center for the film industry and entertainment in the fields of music and computer games.

The largest city in North America by area is Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. The area of ​​the city is almost 1500 square meters. km, and this territory is home to 9 million people, it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city was built in a seismic zone, and earthquakes occur here quite often, which determines the low level of buildings and, accordingly, its length and area.

Once upon a time, on the territory of the modern Mexican capital, there was a settlement of the Aztec tribe, called Tenochtitlan. At the beginning of the 16th century, the Spanish conquerors founded a new city in its place, from which Mexico City grew.

The largest cities in South America by area

One of the largest cities in terms of area is Sao Paulo, its area is 1523 sq. km. But it is the third largest city in South America. It is located in southeastern Brazil along the length of the Tiete River. It has a population of 11.3 million people and is the most populous city in the Western Hemisphere.

Sao Paulo is a city of contrasts; on the one hand, it is the most modern city in Brazil, built up with skyscrapers made of glass and concrete (the tallest building in the country, the Miranti do Vali skyscraper, is located here). On the other hand, the city dates back to the 16th century, and on its territory many “echoes of the past” have been preserved - ancient buildings, museums, churches, which harmoniously combine with modern buildings.

Second place belongs to the city of Bogota, the capital of Colombia. The largest city in the country, its area is 1,587 square meters. km. Bogota was founded by Spanish colonialists in 1538. The city was located on the site of an Indian fortress called Bacata and became the capital of New Grenada, which is the name Quesada gave to the conquered territory. In 1598, Bogota became the capital of the Captaincy General of Spain, and in 1739 of the Viceroyalty of New Grenada.

This is a city of futuristic architecture, combined with colonial-style churches and minor historical buildings, inhabited by an unfavorable contingent: homeless people, thieves and robbers. Bogotá and its suburbs are home to 7 million people, which is one sixth of Colombia's total population. But Bogota is only the second largest city in South America.

The top spot is taken by Brasilia. The area of ​​the capital of the Republic of Brazil is 5802 square meters. km. True, it became the capital quite recently - on April 21, 1960, becoming the third capital of the country, after Salvador and Rio de Janeiro. The city was specially planned and built in the central part in order to utilize inactive areas, attract the population and develop outlying areas. The capital is located on the Brazilian plateau, far from the main political areas.

Construction of the city began in 1957 according to a unified plan, focused on progressive construction technologies and the fundamentals of modern urban planning. It was conceived as an ideal city. In 1986, the city of Brasilia was named "patrimony of humanity" by UNESCO.

The largest cities in Europe by area

London is the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, England, and the largest city in the British Isles. The metropolis has an area of ​​1572 square meters. km. They can accommodate 8 million people. City of Fogs London plays a major political, cultural and economic role in the life of Great Britain. The city has Heathrow International Airport, a major port on the Thames, and attractions: among them the Palace of Westminster complex with a clock tower, the Tower Fortress, Westminster Abbey, and St. Paul's Cathedral.

London from above

But London ranks only third on the list of largest cities in Europe. The second place is firmly assigned to the capital of our Motherland - Moscow. Its area is 2510 sq. km, with a population of 12 million people, according to official data. This is the largest city not only in Russia, but also in Europe; it is also among the top ten cities in the world according to such a criterion as population.

The city is not only the political and administrative, cultural and tourist center of the country, but an important transport hub for the entire country. The city is served by 5 airports, 9 railway stations, 3 river ports.

The largest city in Europe is Istanbul. One of the largest cities on the planet and the largest city in Turkey. Istanbul is the former capital of the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires. The city is located on the banks of the Bosphorus Strait. Its area is 5343 sq. km.

Until 1930, the internationally accepted name of the city was Constantinople. Another name, which is still used in the title of the Patriarch of Constantinople, is Second Rome or New Rome. In 1930, Turkish authorities ordered the use of only the Turkish version of the name Istanbul. Russified version - Istanbul.

The largest cities in Africa by area

Cape Town, a city in the southwest of South Africa (South Africa) - its area is slightly smaller than Moscow and is 2,455 square meters. km. It is located on the Atlantic coast, on a peninsula at the Cape of Good Hope, near the foot of Table Mountain. This city is often called the most beautiful city in the world and the most touristic in South Africa due to its amazing nature.

Tourists choose it for its beautiful beaches and surfing. The city center is dotted with Old Dutch mansions and ornate Victorian buildings.

The largest city in Africa is Kinshasa - the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its area is almost 10 thousand sq. km. Until 1966, this city was called Leopoldville. The population of Kinshasa is more than 10 million people. But 60 percent of the city is sparsely populated rural areas that are located within the city limits. Densely populated areas occupy a small part of the territory in the west of the city. However, Kinshasa is the third largest city in the world by area.

The city is located on the Congo River, along its southern coast, stretching over a long distance. Opposite is the city of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo. This is the only place in the world where two capitals of different countries directly face each other on opposite banks of the river.

Kinshasa is also the second most French-speaking city in the world, second only to Paris. But judging by the rate of population growth, after some time it may overtake the French capital. This is a city of contrasts. Here, rich areas with high-rise buildings, shopping centers and cafes juxtapose with slums of huts and shacks.

The largest cities by area in Australia and Oceania

Sydney is the largest city in Australia. Its area is 12,145 sq. km. Sydney's population is approximately 4.5 million people.

By the way, the city is the capital of the state of New South Wales. Sydney was founded in 1788 by Arthur Philip, who came to the mainland with the First Fleet. This site is the first colonial European settlement in Australia. The city itself was named by the colonists in honor of Lord Sidney, who at that time was the British Secretary of the Colonies.

Largest cities by area in Asia

One of the largest cities is Karachi with an area of ​​3527 sq. km. There were settlements on the site of modern Karachi during the time of Alexander the Great. The ancient port of Krokola was located here - Alexander the Great set up camp before his campaign against Babylon. Next was Montobara, Nearchus sailed from here after exploring.

Later, the Indo-Greek seaport of Barbarikon was formed. In 1729, the fishing town of Kalachi-jo-Ghosh became a significant trading center. After 110 years there was a long period of British colonization. Local residents fought against European invaders, but only in 1940 were they able to become part of independent Pakistan.

Shanghai occupies almost twice the territory of Karachi, its area is 6340 sq. km. It is the third largest city in China and the most populous, with a population of almost 24 million people. One of the largest ports in the world is located here, and the city in general is recognized as the largest trading center. The dynamically developing city boasts its ancient history; it is also the first city in China to which European culture came.

The territory of another Chinese city, Guangzhou, is slightly larger than Shanghai, and is 7434.4 square meters. km on land and 744 sq. km at sea. It is the capital of Guangdong Province. With a population of over 13 million people, Guangzhou is the fourth largest city in China, behind Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin. It has a history of more than 2000 years, and it was from here, from Canton (that was the former name of the city of Guangzhou) that the famous “Silk Road” began. Ships with strange Chinese goods - silk, porcelain and the like - departed from its trading port.

Largest city by area in the world

This is Beijing - the capital of the “Celestial Empire”, its area is 16,800 sq. km, and its population is 21.2 million people. The city is the political and educational center of China, yielding an economic role to Shanghai and Hong Kong. In 2008, the Summer Olympic Games were held here.

Beijing has almost always been the residence of many emperors throughout its 3,000-year history, and to this day retains its status as the center of the country. Imperial palaces, tombs, temples and parks have been preserved here. Ancient Chinese traditions are honored here, regularly restoring ancient buildings, along with growing new areas and high-rise buildings. Beijing is also considered the safest city in the world. On the Find Everything website you can also read an article about the most populated cities in the world. And the list of the largest cities by area does not always coincide with the list of the largest cities by population.
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It’s a little paradoxical, but our school knowledge of demography becomes outdated in a matter of years. The world is developing so quickly that many leading cities of the eighties and even nineties today are not even in the top ten in terms of population!

But dynamically developing cities located in South and East Asia are confidently moving into the first positions. However, first things first.

10. Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh

The tenth position in the ranking of world cities by population is occupied by Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh. The metropolis is home to just over 12 million people, and they are concentrated in a fairly small area of ​​815 square meters. km, which approximately corresponds to the area of ​​Volgograd or Tyumen. Just imagine that 12 million people live in Tyumen, Russia! How will they live there!? Add to the terrible overcrowding the poverty that prevails in Bangladesh, and it is not surprising that the standard of living in Dhaka is extremely low and people are often forced to live in unsanitary conditions. However, in Dhaka, like in any metropolis, there is a respectable business center and numerous historical attractions, since Dhaka is a fairly ancient city, founded in the seventh century. It is here that the largest Hindu temple in Bangladesh is located, called Dakeshwari. 90% of Dhaka's population professes Islam, so there are also plenty of beautiful mosques and minarets here. Instead of car taxis, pedicabs are used in Dhaka; up to four hundred thousand of these cab drivers go to work every day.

9. Moscow, capital of Russia

The population of this city today is 12 million 450 thousand people and continues to grow steadily. Refuting the classic thesis that it is not rubber, Moscow annually grows by one hundred, or even two hundred thousand new residents. It has long gone beyond the Moscow Ring Road, and in the new part of the agglomeration - New Moscow, another 2-3 million can easily fit. Today our capital is in no way inferior to the leading metropolises of the world. Relatively recently, a Russian Manhattan even appeared here - the Moscow City complex of business buildings. Its largest building, the Federation Tower, is the largest skyscraper in Europe, with 95 floors and 374 meters in height. The city is served by 5 airports, 9 railway stations and, of course, the most beautiful metro in the world, which includes more than two hundred stations. Unlike eastern megacities, Moscow is a clean, spacious and comfortable city for living. Such capital attractions as Red Square, the Kremlin, Ostankino TV Tower and St. Basil's Cathedral are easily recognized by residents of all countries of the world. Even though Moscow is only in ninth place in terms of population, we still love it a hundred times more than any other metropolis!

8. Mumbai, India

The population of Indian Mumbai is only slightly larger than Moscow and amounts to 12 million 480 thousand people. The area of ​​this metropolis is very small - only 600 square meters. km, which corresponds to the area of ​​Voronezh or Kazan. Accordingly, the population density in Mumbai is the highest among the cities in this rating. It is very difficult to live in such crowded conditions, but people flock to this city from all over India because there is work and entertainment here. The symbol of Mumbai is a complex of film studios, which, by analogy with Hollywood, is called Bollywood. He produces thousands of famous Indian films a la Zita and Gita with music and of course dances. Mumbai is the water gateway of India, through which about half of India's sea passenger traffic passes. Rail transport and auto-rickshaw transportation, traditional for Asia, are also developed here. Mumbai is a city of contrasts: skyscrapers here coexist with slum areas and the standard of living of local residents can also differ greatly. The metropolis has many buildings built in European style, since during the colonial era the city was a stronghold of the British. Until recently, it was called in the English manner - Bombay, and only in the mid-1990s it was officially given the Indian name - Mumbai.

7. Guangzhou, China

13 million 80 thousand people live in this metropolis. In Europe it is known as Canton, and locals call their metropolis Yangchen, which means “city of goats.” They don’t see anything shameful in this – they are Chinese, after all. In the Middle Ages, the Silk Road began in Guangzhou, and today it is one of the leading centers of world trade. It is here that the famous Canton Fair is held annually, where up to 150 thousand goods from all over the world are exhibited. The local Qingping market is huge even by Chinese standards. Along with traditional goods, you can buy exotic animals, fish and even insects for gastronomic purposes. Guangzhou is a tourist mecca; at least 4 million tourists visit it annually, which approximately corresponds to the traffic of the entire Crimea. The metropolis combines ancient history and an ultra-modern urban environment. Guangzhou is home to China's largest Yuexiu Park, the ancestral temple of the Chen Family, revered in China, as well as an impressive 610 m high hyperboloid television tower. In general, Guangzhou is a beautiful, dynamic and convenient city for living, the local residents are really lucky!

6. Istanbul, Türkiye

This city is home to 13 million, 855 thousand people. It is characterized by rapid growth - the population of the metropolis increases annually by 300-400 thousand. This is largely due to the fact that the standard of living in Istanbul is about 70% higher than in Turkey as a whole. Istanbul attracts residents of the state with high salaries and, of course, an interesting life. The metropolis is located on both banks of the Bosphorus Strait, connecting the Black and Marmara Seas. It is interesting that it was founded and initially developed on the Asian coast, but today the lion's share of the population is concentrated in the European part. The metropolis is a very popular place among tourists, ranking third in terms of attendance among cities around the world. Its symbol is the Hagia Sophia, built in the 6th century. No less popular tourist attractions are the Beylerbey Palace, the Suleymaniya architectural complex and, of course, the famous Istanbul Grand Bazaar. The city also has a multi-storey business center, and Istanbul skyscrapers have a special oriental flavor, as does this entire great city.

5. Lagos, capital of Nigeria

The African city of Lagos has a population of 15 million 119 thousand people, and the population density breaks all records, reaching 17 thousand inhabitants per square kilometer. One can only wonder how people manage to live in such cramped conditions. The city is divided into 16 regions, and it is governed not by a mayor, as elsewhere, but by a whole governor, since the population of the metropolis resembles a small country. Nigerians consider it lucky to live in the capital because there is at least some work here. But from the point of view of Europeans, Lagos can hardly be called attractive for living. In many of its places it is better for whites not to appear, just as there are areas only for whites or only for rich blacks. The lion's share of the population of Lagos lives in slums, in terrible poverty, local residents are very poorly fed and suffer from infectious diseases. Malaria, carried by the famous tse-tse fly, is still widespread here. The city also has a rich downtown with skyscrapers and road junctions. It is the multi-storey center that appears on the advertising brochures of this greatest metropolis of modern Africa.

4. Delhi, capital of India

Delhi has a population of 16 million 315 thousand people. This is the oldest city among the megacities in this rating - its age exceeds 5 thousand years. It is divided into 9 administrative districts. In the most prosperous of them, New Delhi, there is a government quarter and skyscrapers of the business center. There is nothing here to remind you that you are in a rather poor Asian country. Meanwhile, the largest part of the population is concentrated in the Southern and Western parts of the metropolis, where people huddle in miserable shacks. Delhi's slums are horribly overcrowded and often devoid of amenities. Suffice it to say that there is one toilet for every 27 families, and there are even fewer wells from which Delhi residents get water. The capital of India has an amazing combination of squalid slums, modern skyscrapers and majestic buildings of bygone eras. Ancient Hindu temples, huge mosques, fortresses and citadels of ancient kings, busy markets where you can buy exotic food and goods... Needless to say, a tourist has a lot to see here, but a European person most likely will not want to live in this overpopulated place.

3. Beijing, capital of China

The population of the city is 21 million 516 thousand people. This city is very ancient - it was allegedly founded in the 5th century BC and has always played a vital role in the life of the Celestial Empire. Nowadays, it is from here that huge China is governed and the city is fully consistent with its status as the capital of the greatest state in the world. Beijing is developing rapidly - every year new neighborhoods for ordinary Chinese and huge business skyscrapers are built here. The tallest building in the city is the China World Trade Center with 74 floors, but the China Zun mega-skyscraper with a height of 106 floors is already being completed, which promises to become a real pearl of architecture. Beijing is modern and at the same time ancient. Every year, millions of tourists visit the world-famous Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Imperial Summer Palace and hundreds of other attractions. Despite its Asian location, Beijing is a city of wide avenues and vast parks. There are practically no slums traditional for Asia, and the lion's share of the population lives in high-rise buildings familiar to Russians.

2. Karachi, Pakistan

This city is home to 23 million 520 thousand people. It is one of the fastest growing metropolises in the world, with its population doubling over the past 20 years. The total age of Karachi is just over two hundred years, during which it grew from a fishing village into one of the largest cities in the world. This is impressive, if not phenomenal, growth. A special feature of the metropolis is its multinational composition, which largely determines the diversity of lifestyles. Pashtuns, Punjabis, Urdus, Bengalis, Afghans and even Jews live here, which gives the city a special flavor. The standard of living in Karachi cannot be called high, and the criminal situation is quite difficult - Europeans are strictly not recommended to appear in some areas. Since the city is quite young, the attractions here are mostly new. Local residents are proud of the giant fountain that shoots jets to a height of about two hundred meters, the Zoroastrian towers of silence and a huge pool of crocodiles. Along with poor neighborhoods, Karachi has fashionable areas and a business center, making it perhaps a classic Asian city of contrasts.

1. Shanghai, China

And the greatest city of our time is Chinese Shanghai, which is home to 24 million 150 thousand people. The metropolis amazes with its futurism - it is dominated by the tallest skyscraper in China with a height of 632 meters and 121 floors, which is called the “Shanghai Tower”. In general, the Shanghai Pudong district has long surpassed Manhattan in terms of the number of skyscrapers and continues to develop dynamically. Shanghai's history dates back more than seven centuries, so there are plenty of impressive historical buildings here. Thousands of believers annually visit the local Temple of Confucius, with the construction of which this great city began. And Mount Sheshan with its ancient pagodas seems to have come into modern times from ancient Chinese fairy tales. In the very center of Shanghai, the mountain looks absolutely incredible! The metropolis is the commercial, scientific, financial and economic center of China, as well as its sea gate. Local residents live, if not richly, then quite decently - the average salary here is 700-750 dollars, which is very good by Asian standards. Shanghai has a special status in China, so a considerable part of the taxes collected in the city remains here. That is why municipal authorities have funds for capital construction, development of housing and communal infrastructure. As a result, the city is developing rapidly, its population is growing and is already breaking world records. Thus, if you are asked, what is the largest city on Earth? You can safely answer - this is Shanghai, which is home to more than 24 million people!

The population is growing every year, infrastructure is developing rapidly and small settlements are turning into giant ones. It is enough to compare the main indicators to determine which is the best in the world. You can build various ratings, in which the main criterion will be the number of enterprises or the official area.

Of particular interest are the TOP cities by the number of museums or attractions. Let's look at a few different ratings.

Largest city in the world by population:

• The first place in terms of numbers can be safely given to Tokyo. It is home to 35,700,000 local people, not counting tourists and temporary arrivals for work or family reasons. Tokyo is like a big beehive with numerous lights, freeways, subway lines and international ports. Forty percent of Japan's population is located in the capital. This amazing city was destroyed twice and completely rebuilt within a hundred years of the twentieth century.
• Second place can be given to the financial center. Currently, it is home to 24 million 632 thousand inhabitants. The population is increasing every decade.
• The third place is occupied by the capital of Mexico, Mexico City. Its population is nineteen million people.
• In fourth place is the largest city in Brazil, Sao Paulo. It is home to 13.654 million inhabitants.
• Our top five is completed by the industrial center of Turkey, Istanbul. This beautiful city houses 13.206 million inhabitants on its territory.

What is the largest city in the world by population density:

• Tokyo is in first place again. There are about one thousand inhabitants per square meter of city area. That is why it is famous for the tallest residential and office buildings among industrial cities.
• Second place can be given to the city with the poetic name Manila from the Philippines. There are 43.079 thousand people per square kilometer of its area.
• The third largest population density is occupied by the Indian city of Mumbai. There are 21,655 thousand inhabitants claiming per square kilometer of its area.
• Honorable fourth place goes to the cheerful city of Buenos Aires from Argentina, each square kilometer of which has 14,312 thousand people.
• Our short list ends with one of the main centers of India, Delhi. The population density in this city is 11.37 thousand inhabitants per square kilometer.

What is the largest city in the world by area:

• The honorable first place is rightfully given to the most beautiful and no less famous city of Australia, Sydney. Its official area is 12.1446 thousand square kilometers. And although residential areas occupy only 1.687 thousand square kilometers, and the rest of the area is covered by National Parks and the Blue Mountains, this did not prevent it from receiving the title of “The Largest City in the World”.

• Second place is given to the capital of the Republic of Congo, Kinshasa, which stretches over 10.55 thousand square kilometers. Most of this area is rural.
• In this ranking, the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires, ranks third. Its area is four thousand square kilometers. Buenos Aires is the country's busiest city and attracts huge numbers of tourists every year.
• The city of Karachi, unique in its architecture, which is the capital of the Sindh province in Pakistan, ranks fourth. The historical moment of the founding of a small settlement, which later turned into a huge city with an area of ​​3.53 thousand square kilometers, dates back to the time of Alexander the Great.
• Our rating is completed by the largest city, Alexandria. Its rich history begins in 332 BC. Every meter of its 2.68 thousand square kilometers hides centuries-old secrets.

Such ratings can be continued indefinitely, constantly finding out which is the largest city in the world. If you want to make an exciting trip, visit each of them. Only then will you be able to choose the most beautiful and hospitable one. After all, the main thing in every locality is its inhabitants and the extraordinary aura created by them.