List of cities in the world by population. The largest cities in the world - top in 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. Who entered our top 10 - we will find out further.

We note right away that it is quite difficult to determine the boundaries of the territories of modern cities and rank the largest of them. To be as accurate as possible, the researchers use the so-called light imprint - this is the area of artificial illumination of the settlement and its suburbs from the height of the aircraft. Satellite maps are also used, which clearly show cities and rural areas that are not included in them.

Area 1580 km²

The capital of foggy Albina opens the list of the largest cities in the world in terms of area. 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 visiting tourists who want to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the famous Royal Guards and many other equally interesting sights.

Area 2037 km²

Ninth place in the ranking of the largest cities in the world in terms of area - Sydney. It covers an area of 2037 square kilometers. In many ratings, 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, the formal territory of Sydney 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 in terms of area is located, covering 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 descended from old engravings. Despite the strongest earthquake in 1923 and the destruction caused to the city during the Second World War, Tokyo is one of the fastest growing modern cities.

Area 3530 km²

The Pakistani port city with an area of 3530 square kilometers ranks 7th in the list of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. This is the first capital of Pakistan and the main industrial, financial and commercial center of the state. At the beginning XVIII century Karachi was a small fishing village. After the capture of Karachi by the British troops, the village quickly turned into a major port city. Since that time, it has grown and played an increasingly important role in the country's economy. Nowadays, due to the influx of migrants, overcrowding 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 in terms of area. The capital of Russia is considered the second largest city in Europe after Istanbul. The area of the metropolis is 4662 square kilometers. It is not only the political and financial, but also the cultural center of the country, which attracts 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, is in 5th place in the ranking of the largest cities in the world. It is located in a picturesque place - on the banks of the Bosphorus. Istanbul is a unique city, which at one time was the capital of four great empires and is located immediately in Asia and Europe. There are many beautiful monuments of antiquity here: the thousand-year-old St. Sophia Cathedral, the majestic Blue Mosque, the luxurious Dolmabahce Palace. Istanbul strikes with an 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 occupies the fourth place in the ranking of the largest megacities in the world in terms of area. The city is located on an area of 5802 square kilometers. The city received the status of the capital of the Republic of Brazil relatively recently - in 1960. The construction of the metropolis was planned in such a way as to attract the population 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 in terms of area. Shanghai has about 24 million people. This is one of the most interesting and unusual Chinese cities. We can say that it reflects modern China - energetic, fast-growing and focused on the future. Shanghai is one of the largest shopping centers in the world.

Area 7434 km²

With an area of 7,434.4 square kilometers, the Chinese metropolis 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. The population is approximately 21 million people. Guangzhou has a thousand years of history. Earlier in Europe the city was known as Canton. The maritime part of the Great Silk Road began from here. From time immemorial, the city has given refuge to all oppositionists to state power and often became the center of unrest against the power of the Peking 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 millennia. 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.

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

10

Dakka 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 do.

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 is not part of it. Moscow is the largest financial center on a national scale, an international business center and a control 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 capital of the state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the cultural center of the country, there are many museums and art galleries, concerts are held 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 sub-provincial city of the People's Republic of China, the capital of Guangdong Province, the political, economic, scientific, technical, educational, cultural and transport center of all of southern China.

6

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

5

Lagos is a port city in the southwest of Nigeria, the largest city in the country. Lagos is the most populated city in Africa. About half of Nigeria's industry is concentrated in Lagos.

4

Delhi is located in northern India on the banks of the Jumna 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, telecommunications, but also in natural science and applied sciences. 30% of IT in India is concentrated in Delhi (here Delhi is second only to Bangalore, where 35% of IT specialists are concentrated).

3

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

2

Karachi 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 province of Sindh. 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 partition of British India in 1947 into two independent states - India and Pakistan.

1

Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the most populated cities in the world. 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 processing, metallurgy, textile and light industry.

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

In every country in the world - a huge number of cities. Small and big, poor and rich, resort and industrial.

All settlements are remarkable in their own way. One is famous for its landscapes, the other is famous for entertainment, the third is for history. But there are also cities that are famous for 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 \u200b\u200bthe territory subordinate to the city. According to official figures, 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 inhabitants live in rural areas; only 6 million people live in the city itself.

Chongqing is one of the ancient cities in China, with a history of more than 3,000 years. In the late Paleolithic era, primitive people already lived here. This is due to the fact that the city was founded on the spot where the Jialingjiang River flows into the full-flowing Yangtze.

The city is surrounded by three mountains: Dabashan in the north, Wushan in the east and Dalushan in the south. Because of the hilly landscape of the area, Chongqing was nicknamed the "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 expanding cities are so closely intertwined with industrial, transport and cultural ties and merge into one. Such a cluster of "merged" cities is called an urban agglomeration.

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

Largest cities by area in North America

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 sq. 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 in the list of the 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 the center of the film industry and entertainment in the field 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 sq. km, and 9 million people live in this territory, it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. The city was built in a seismically hazardous zone, and earthquakes occur here quite often, which leads to low buildings and, accordingly, its length and area.

Once 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.

Largest cities in South America

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 the southeast of Brazil along the Tietê River. With a population of 11.3 million, it is the most populated 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 (this is where the tallest building in the country is located - the Miranti do Vali skyscraper). On the other hand, the city traces its history back to the 16th century, and many “echoes of the past” have been preserved on its territory - ancient buildings, museums, churches, which are harmoniously combined 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 sq. km. Bogotá was founded by Spanish colonizers in 1538. The city was located on the site of an Indian fortress called Bakata and became the capital of New Grenada, this is the name Quesada gave to the conquered territory. In 1598, Bogotá 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 insignificant historical buildings, inhabited by an unfavorable contingent: homeless people, thieves and robbers. Bogota and its suburbs are home to 7 million people, which is one sixth of the total population of Colombia. But Bogota is only the second largest city in South America.

The palm is occupied 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 use inactive areas, attract population and develop distant areas. The capital is located on the Brazilian plateau, far from the main political areas.

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

The largest cities in Europe by area

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

London from a bird's eye view

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

Istanbul is the largest city in Europe. 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. 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, the Turkish authorities ordered that only the Turkish version of the name Istanbul be used. Russified version - Istanbul.

Africa's largest cities by area

Cape Town, a city in the southwest of South Africa (South Africa) - its area is slightly inferior to the area of Moscow and is 2,455 square meters. km. It is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, on a peninsula near the Cape of Good Hope, near the foot of the 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 home to 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 square kilometers. Until 1966, this city was called Leopoldville. The population of Kinshasa is over 10 million people. But 60 percent of the city is sparsely populated rural areas that are within the city limits. Densely populated areas occupy a small part of the territory in the west of the city. Nevertheless, Kinshasa is the third largest city in the world by area.

The city is located on the Congo River, along its southern coast, stretching for a long distance. Opposite is the city of Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of the 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, behind only Paris. But judging by the rate of population growth, after some time it can overtake the French capital. This is a city of contrasts. Here, wealthy areas with skyscrapers, shopping centers and cafes coexist with slums of shacks and shacks.

The largest cities by area in Australia and Oceania

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

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

The largest cities by area in Asia

One of the largest cities is the city of 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 Crocola was located here - Alexander the Great set up camp before going to Babylon. Next was Montobara, Nearchus sailed from here after research.

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

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

The territory of another Chinese city of Guangzhou is slightly larger than the area of 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, Guangzhou is the fourth largest city in China after Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin. It has more than 2000 years of history, and it was from here, from Canton (this was the former name of the city of Guangzhou) that the famous "Silk Road" began. Ships with outlandish Chinese goods - silk, porcelain and the like - departed from its trading port.

The largest city by area in the world

This is Beijing - the capital of the "Celestial Empire", its area is 16,800 square kilometers, 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 seat of many emperors in its 3,000-year history, and has retained its status as the center of the country to this day. Imperial palaces, tombs, temples and parks have been preserved here. It honors ancient Chinese traditions, regularly restoring ancient buildings, along with sprawling new districts and skyscrapers. Beijing is also considered the safest city in the world. On the Know 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 obsolete in a matter of years. The world is developing so fast that many of the leading cities of the eighties and even the nineties today are not even in the top ten in terms of population!

But dynamically developing cities located in South and East Asia confidently move to the first positions. However, first things first.

10. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh

The tenth position in the ranking of world cities by population is occupied by Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh. A little more than 12 million people live in the metropolis, and they are concentrated on a fairly small area of 815 square meters. km, which roughly corresponds to the area of Volgograd or Tyumen. Just imagine that 12 million people live in Russian Tyumen! How will they live there? And if you add the poverty that prevails in Bangladesh to the terrible crowding, it becomes not surprising that the standard of living in Dhaka is extremely low and often people are forced to live in unsanitary conditions. However, in Dhaka, as in any metropolis, there is a respectable business center and numerous historical sights, since Dhaka is a fairly ancient city, founded in the seventh century. It is here that the largest Hindu temple in Bangladesh is located, which is called Dhakeshwari. 90% of the population of Dhaka profess Islam, so there are also enough beautiful mosques and minarets here. Instead of car taxis in Dhaka, cycle rickshaws are used - up to four hundred thousand of these cabs go to work every day.

9. Moscow, the 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 made of rubber, Moscow annually grows 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 will fit quite well. Today, our capital is in no way inferior to the leading megacities of the world. Relatively recently, the Russian Manhattan even appeared here - a complex of business buildings Moscow-City. 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 subway in the world, which includes more than two hundred stations. Unlike eastern metropolises, Moscow is a clean, spacious and livable city. Such metropolitan sights as Red Square, the Kremlin, the Ostankino TV Tower and St. Basil's Cathedral are easily recognizable by residents of all countries of the world. Although 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's 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 come 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, was called Bollywood. He produces thousands of famous Indian films a la Zita and Gita with music and of course dancing. Mumbai is India's water gate through which about half of India's maritime passenger traffic passes. There is also a well-developed railway transport and a traditional for Asia transport by auto rickshaws. Mumbai is a city of contrasts: skyscrapers here are adjacent to slums and the standard of living of local residents can also differ greatly. There are many European-style buildings in the metropolis, since in 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 the locals call their metropolis Yangchen, which means "city of goats." They do not see anything shameful in this - the 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 takes place every year, 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, here you can buy exotic animals, fish and even insects for gastronomic purposes. Guangzhou is a tourist mecca, annually it is visited by at least 4 million tourists, which roughly corresponds to the traffic of the whole Crimea. The metropolis combines ancient history and ultra-modern urban environment. Guangzhou is home to China's largest Yuexiu Park, China's revered Chen Family Ancestral Temple, and an impressive 610-meter-high hyperboloid TV tower. In general, Guangzhou is a beautiful, dynamic and livable city, and the locals are really lucky!

6. Istanbul, Turkey

This city is home to 13 million, 855 thousand people. It is characterized by rapid growth - the population of the metropolis annually increases 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, which connects 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 tourist destination, 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 sites are the Beylerbey Palace, the Suleymaniya architectural complex and, of course, the famous Istanbul Grand Bazaar. There is also a business high-rise center in the city, and Istanbul skyscrapers have a special oriental flavor, however, like this whole great city.

5. Lagos, the capital of Nigeria

The African city of Lagos is home to 15 million 119 thousand people, and the population density is breaking 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 not governed by the mayor, as everywhere else, but by a whole governor, since the population of the metropolis is drawn to a small country. Nigerians consider it a happiness 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 life. In many places it is better for whites not to appear, just as there are districts only for whites or only for rich blacks. The lion's share of the population of Lagos lives in slums, in terrible poverty, the locals eat very poorly and suffer from infectious diseases. Malaria is still widespread here, carried by the famous tse-tse fly. The city also has a rich downtown with skyscrapers and road junctions. It is the multi-storey center that appears on the brochures of this greatest metropolis of modern Africa.

4. Delhi, the capital of India

16 million 315 thousand people live in Delhi. This is the oldest city among the megacities of this rating - its age exceeds 5 thousand years. It is divided into 9 administrative regions. In the most prosperous of them, New Delhi, the government quarter and the skyscrapers of the business center are located. Nothing here reminds 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 27 families, and there are even fewer wells from where the people of Delhi get water. The capital of India is 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, lively markets where you can buy exotic food and goods... Needless to say, there is something for a tourist to see here, but a European person will most likely not want to live in this overpopulated place.

3. Beijing, the capital of China

The population of the city is 21 million 516 thousand people. This city is very ancient - presumably it was founded in the 5th century BC and has always played an important role in the life of the Celestial Empire. Nowadays, it is from here that huge China is ruled and the city fully corresponds to its status as the capital of the greatest state in the world. Beijing is developing rapidly - every year new quarters for ordinary Chinese and huge business skyscrapers are being built here. The tallest building in the city is the China World Trade Center at 74 floors, but the China Zun mega skyscraper, 106 floors high, is already being completed, which promises to become a real gem 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 summer imperial 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

23 million 520 thousand people live in this city. It is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the world - its population has doubled in the last 20 years. The full age of Karachi is a little over two hundred years, during which it has grown from a fishing village into one of the largest cities in the world. This is impressive, if not phenomenal, growth. A feature of the metropolis is its multinational composition, which largely determines the diversity of lifestyles. Pashtuns, Punjabis, Urdu, 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 strongly discouraged from appearing in some areas. Since the city is quite young, the local sights are mostly replicas. The locals are proud of the giant fountain that spouts to a height of about two hundred meters, the Zoroastrian towers of silence and a huge pool of crocodiles. Along with the poor neighborhoods in Karachi, there are fashionable areas and a business center. Therefore, it is 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 impresses with its futurism - it is dominated by the highest skyscraper in China with a height of 632 meters and 121 floors, which is called the "Shanghai Tower". In general, in terms of the number of skyscrapers, the Shanghai Pudong district has long surpassed Manhattan and continues to develop dynamically. The history of Shanghai has more than seven centuries, so there are enough impressive historical buildings. 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 to the present 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 gates. 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 large part of the taxes collected in the city remains here. That is why the municipal authorities have funds for capital construction, the 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 most 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 is the TOP cities in terms of the number of museums or attractions. Let's look at a few different ratings.

The largest city in the world by population:

The first place in terms of numbers, you can safely give Tokyo. It is home to 35,700,000 people of the local population, not counting tourists and temporary arrivals on business or family matters. 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 twice destroyed and completely rebuilt during one hundred years of the twentieth century.
The second place can be given to the financial center. At the moment, 24 million 632 thousand inhabitants live in it. The population is increasing every decade.
The third place is occupied by the capital of Mexico, Mexico City. It has nineteen million inhabitants.
In fourth place is the largest city in Brazil, Sao Paulo. It has 13.654 million inhabitants.
The industrial center of Turkey, Istanbul, completes our top five. This beautiful city has placed on its territory 13.206 million inhabitants.

What is the largest city in the world in terms of population density:

In the first place, again, Tokyo. There are about one thousand inhabitants per square meter of urban area. That is why it is famous for the tallest residential and office buildings among industrial cities.
The second place can be given to the city with the poetic name of Manila from the Philippines. There are 43,079 thousand people per square kilometer of its area.
The third place in terms of population density is occupied by the Indian city of Mumbai. 21,655 thousand inhabitants claim per square kilometer of its area.
An honorable fourth place was given to the cheerful city of Buenos Aires from Argentina, each square kilometer of which has 14,312 thousand people.
One of the main centers of India, Delhi, completes our short list. 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 falls on the National Parks and the Blue Mountains, this did not prevent him from receiving the title of "The Biggest City in the World."

The second place was given to the capital of the Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa, which is spread over 10.55 thousand square kilometers. Most of this area is occupied by rural areas.
In this ranking, the capital of Argentina Buenos Aires ranks third. Its area is four thousand square kilometers. Buenos Aires is the busiest city in the country and attracts a huge number of tourists every year.
Unique in its architecture, the city of Karachi, which is the capital of the province of Sindh 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 Alexandria. Its rich history begins in 332 BC. Each meter of 2.68 thousand square kilometers of its area 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 journey, visit each of them. Only then you can choose the most beautiful and hospitable. After all, the main thing in every settlement is its inhabitants and the extraordinary aura created by them.