What does “big city” mean to you? A million inhabitants, two, or maybe ten or even thirty? See a photo gallery of the 20 largest cities in the world by population.
(Total 20 photos)
1. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is in 20th place in terms of population.
2. Buenos Aires is in 19th place; 14.3 million people live in the capital of Argentina.
3. 18th place: Kolkata is the largest city in India, home to 15.7 million people.
4. 17th place: Cairo - the capital of Egypt - the number of inhabitants is 17.3 million.
6. Beijing has a population of 16.4 million, placing the Chinese capital in 15th place in the ranking.
7. 14th place: Osaka - one of the largest cities in Japan is home to 16.8 million people.
8. Los Angeles is the 13th most populous city with 17 million residents.
9. The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is the 12th largest city in the world with 20.7 million inhabitants.
10. The Indian city of Bombay, home to 20.8 million people, ranks 11th in the ranking.
11. In 10th place is the largest city in Pakistan - Karachi. It is home to 21.1 million people.
12. 9th place: Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, home to 21.1 million people.
14. 7th place: Indian Delhi - 23 million inhabitants.
15. The 6th place in terms of population is occupied by the Mexican capital - Mexico City - 23.2 million inhabitants.
16. The 5th most populous city in the world is Shanghai. This largest Chinese city is home to 25.3 million inhabitants.19. In 2nd place is Guangzhou, the largest Chinese city with 25.8 million people.
20. The largest city in the world by population is Tokyo. The capital of Japan is home to 34.5 million people. Tokyo is the undisputed leader in our ranking and will remain so for a long time.
More than 50% of the world's population are urban residents. Based on the fact that there are 7 billion people living on the planet, there are approximately 50 people for every square kilometer of the earth's surface. However, there are places where the crowd of people is amazing. For example, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro has a density of 48 thousand people per square meter. km.
We present to you the top 10 largest cities in the world by population. All data on the number of citizens is taken from Wikipedia, Worldatlas and other open sources and is current for 2017.
Population: 13.5 million people
Guangzhou is the educational, economic, technological and cultural center of southern China. Its location on the banks of the Pearl River contributed to its growth as an important port city.
The population of Guangzhou is replenished mainly by foreign emigrants, as well as illegal migrants from the countries of the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. Thanks to this, the city earned a reputation as the “capital of the Third World.”
Population: 13.7 million people
Japan's capital is known for its modern design, dedication to cutting-edge technology and crowded streets. In 2010, Tokyo began a demographic boom and for the first time in its history the population exceeded 13 million people. City officials attributed the population growth to intensive condominium construction and an increase in the number of foreigners.
Population: 14.8 million people
Istanbul is a tourist city that attracts visitors from all over the world. However, in addition to this, it serves as the center of Turkey's economy.
The construction of a new Istanbul airport, which will be able to accommodate 150 million passengers a year, is now in full swing. It should become the largest airport in the world. The opening of the new air harbor is scheduled for 2018. After this, the old Ataturk Airport will be closed.
Population: 15.1 million people
The commercial center of its country and one of the fastest growing African cities. Lagos is also famous for being the center of Nollywood (Nigerian film industry).
Population: 15.4 million people
Tianjin is located in the northern coastal region of China and is home to more than 15 million residents.
It is curious that in this Chinese port city there was a Russian post office until 1919. Or rather, the Russian Empire.
Population: 16.7 million people
Delhi is an ancient city located in northern India. According to the UN forecast, by 2030 Delhi's population will grow by almost 10 million people.
Population: 21.5 million people
By 2030, the population of the Chinese capital may reach 27 million people. And as the cultural center of China, Beijing boasts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In addition, Beijing has established itself as an industrial sector since the communist revolution of 1949. Automobiles, textiles, aerospace and semiconductors are just a few of the products produced in the city.
Population: 23.5 million people
It's hard to imagine that this multimillion-dollar city was once a small fishing village. Currently, Karachi is the economic and industrial center of Pakistan and its population is constantly growing, mainly due to migrants from various countries of South Asia.
Karachi has a reputation as a center of higher education in South Asia and the Muslim world.
Population: 24.2 million people
Shanghai's population is expected to reach 50 million by 2050, driven by economic growth and rapid urbanization.
Population: 53.2 million people
The largest city by population is one of the 5 national central cities of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and is located in southwest China.
This large number of residents is due to the huge number of migrant workers, many of whom live in Chongqing for less than 6 months of the year. However, less than 7 million people live in the urbanized area of the metropolis.
For comparison: 12.4 million people live in Moscow. And taking into account the Moscow region - 16 million.
Like the rest of China, Chongqing has a demographic problem. While the labor force is still fueled by economic growth, the consequences of the one-child policy have taken their toll. The workforce is shrinking while the elderly population is growing exponentially. China could become the first major country to become old before it is rich, one analyst said.
The world's largest city by population has a large gap between boys and girls born before the age of 20, and this threatens problems in the future. For example, this could cause a drop in the birth rate and, accordingly, a labor shortage. But the majority of Chongqing women are unlikely to face the fate of remaining an old maid “with 40 cats.”
The largest cities in the world by area
Many Russians, when asked “what is the largest city in the world?” They will proudly answer: “Moscow.” And they will be wrong. Although the Russian capital is the largest metropolis in Europe both in terms of area (2,561 km2) and population, it is inferior in size to foreign cities with a million population.
We present to you the largest cities in the world, if the main parameter is the territory controlled by the city administration.
Area: 9,965 km²
Most (60%) of the capital of the Republic of Congo is occupied by sparsely populated rural areas. However, it is within the administrative boundaries of the city. Populous but small urban areas are located in the west of the province.
Kinshasa is one of the cities with the largest French-speaking population (in first place, of course, is Paris). And if the current demographic situation continues, then in 2020 Kinshasa will surpass Paris in number of inhabitants.
Area: 9,990 km²
In Australia, one of the most urbanized countries in the world, 89.01% of the population lives in urban areas. With a population of 4.44 million, Melbourne is only slightly behind number seven on the list. But all large Australian cities have one thing in common - they are located near the coastline. Coastal areas encouraged the growth of early European settlements, which quickly grew into today's bustling metropolises.
Area: 11,943 km²
Tianjin, the "commercial gateway" of Beijing, began to develop as a commercial center after the Grand Canal was built during the Sui Dynasty.
The city grew especially during the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China. The most dynamically developing sector of the city's economy is the seaport of Tianjin.
Rosneft and the China National Petroleum Corporation also agreed to build an oil refinery in Tianjin. The signing of the construction schedule became known back in 2014. The launch of the plant is scheduled for 2019.
Area: 12,367 km²
The city of 4.84 million has expanded rapidly since the development of the Harbor Bridge. Its residential areas are surrounded by beautiful national parks. And on the extremely rugged coastline there was room for numerous beaches, bays, coves and islands.
Area: 12,390 km²
The city, once famous for its brocade and at one time the capital of China, boasts, in addition to its impressive size, the world's largest Buddha statue. The height of the Big Buddha, carved into the rock, is 71 meters. According to local residents, “Gradually the mountain becomes Buddha, and Buddha becomes the mountain.”
Area: 15,061 km²
Once upon a time, the capital of the state of Eritrea consisted of 4 villages founded in the 12th century. And now it is the largest city in the country, which is called “New Rome” thanks to the Italian spirit in architecture. In 2017, Asmara was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The name of the metropolis was previously pronounced Asmara - “flowering forest” translated from the Tigrinya language.
Area: 15,826 km²
The administrative center (and once the capital) of the state of Queensland was not always a city. It came together from 20 separate municipalities and acquired city status in 1925.
Brisbane is now the fastest growing Australian city, and at the same time one of the most multinational in the world.
Area: 16,411 km²
The capital of China is home to more than 20 million people. The Beijing urban area radiates in circles that are located between concentric city ring roads. The largest of them is the Sixth Ring Road, which even runs through the satellite cities of the Chinese capital.
In 2020, Beijing will host guests and participants of the Winter Olympics, and in 2008 it hosted the Summer Games.
Area: 16,847 km²
During the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou was the most populous city in the world. It is still quite large; the number of citizens has exceeded 8 million people.
The city is famous for its natural beauty and tea plantations. As the Chinese proverb says: “There is heaven in heaven, and on earth there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.”
Area: 82,403 km²
The largest and most populous city in the world is Chongqing. Most of the population lives outside the urbanized zone, which measures 1,473 km². And the total area of the city, together with suburban and rural areas, corresponds to the size of Austria.
The rankings of the very best are compiled according to many criteria: beauty, height of buildings, population, history of founding, etc. However, we decided to compare all the major cities in the world by size and title the list: “The largest cities in the world by area.” Of course, agglomerations and districts will not be taken into account here.
First place: Sydney
First on our list, oddly enough, is Sydney, which covers an area of 12,144 square kilometers. It is the largest city in Australia, although it is home to a relatively small number of people - only 4.5 million. The city was founded in 1788 as the first European settlement on the mainland, and was named after Lord Sydney, who at that time served as Colonial Secretary. Residential areas occupy a relatively small area here - 1.7 square meters. km, and the rest of the space is parks, nature reserves, gardens and the Blue Mountains. The city is famous for its swan-shaped opera house, Harbor Bridge and beaches.
Second place: Kinshasa
The next largest city in the world by area is Kinshasa, with 10,550 square kilometers. It is the capital of the African Democratic Republic of the Congo, located on the river of the same name. Almost twice as many people live here as in Sydney - 9,464 thousand, only 40% of the city’s territory. In addition, Kinshasa ranks second among all African cities in terms of population and is the silver medalist in the list of French-speaking cities in terms of population. According to statisticians, there is a possibility that Kinshasa will become the most populous city on the planet by 2075.
Third place: Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, is also in the top three, with 4,000 square kilometers in reserve. The list of the largest cities in the world by area could not ignore this beautiful and ancient settlement of Europeans in South America. The name of the capital has been preserved since the seventeenth century, and before that, from 1536, it was called the City of the Holy Trinity and the Port of our Lady Holy Mother of the Good Winds. But it was too long for both locals and visitors, so it was shortened to a modern version. Another curiosity is the double foundation of the city. The first time was in 1536, but five years later the Indians burned it to the ground. In 1580, the Spaniards rebuilt it again, annexing it to their empire. It was only in 1776, when the Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata was formed, that it became the new capital.
Fourth place: Karachi
Another former capital takes an honorable fourth place - Karachi. It measures 3,530 square kilometers and served as the capital of Pakistan until 1958. But the population here is noticeably higher than that of previous nominees - 18 million people. The city is the main industrial, cultural and financial center of the country, and also occupies a leading position in the provision of higher education in South Asia and throughout the Islamic world. Now the capital has been moved to Rawalpindi, but life continues to bustle in this huge city, which remains the constantly beating heart for hundreds of thousands of people living in it.
Fifth place: Alexandria
Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great during the period of his conquests and which became a cultural and religious center for millions of people who lived in antiquity, took fifth position. The list of the 10 largest cities in the world by area could not fail to include this pearl of Egypt, given that its size is 2,680 square kilometers. It stretches along the Mediterranean coast from the north and is washed by the green waters of the Nile from the south and east. Truly a majestic spectacle. Now it is a major tourist center, annually welcoming pilgrims eager to touch history and look at the world through the eyes of ancient people.
Sixth place: Ankara
Ankara, with an area of 2,500 square kilometers, confidently ranks sixth. The capital of Turkey has a population of 4.9 million people and is one of the oldest Asian cities. It has been known since the seventh century BC, as it was located at the crossroads of important economic routes between the West and the East. The city became the capital only in 1919, when the government and residence of the Sultan settled there.
Seventh place: Istanbul
And here is the second (it would be more correct to say, the first) large city in Turkey - Istanbul, occupying 2106 square kilometers. The top largest cities in the world by area simply could not do without it. It is located on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait and has one of the most ancient histories. It was first known as Constantinople, the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Here wars began and ended, issues of redrawing the political map of the world were resolved, and a new religion was born, in the end. At one time, a long time ago, there was not a single event that did not affect this place in one way or another.
Eighth place: Tehran
The largest cities in the world by area are gradually filling our Top 10. There are only three places left, and in the eighth place is Tehran, the capital of Iran, a major financial and political center. Its area is 1881 square kilometers, and it includes both plains and mountainous areas, and from the south the edge of the city approaches the Cairo desert. This place is stretched along a mountain range, which explains its large area, and the difficult living conditions next to different climatic zones determine the dense population of the capital.
Ninth place: Bogota
In honorable, penultimate place is Bogota, occupying 1,590 square kilometers. It is located more than two thousand meters above sea level, and if you look at the map, the red line of the equator passes just above this place. Despite this, the air temperature here does not rise above 15 degrees Celsius, and frequent earthquakes remind residents of how high they have climbed in search of the best place to settle.
Tenth place: London
The list with the title “The largest cities in the world by area” is completed by London, the capital of Great Britain. Its size is 1580 square kilometers. It is the largest city in Foggy Albion and on the entire European continent, with a population of more than 8 million people. It is located on the zero meridian, and it is from it that time is counted throughout the planet.
Fun fact, but if you add up the space occupied by these cities, you get about 1 percent of the total land surface on our planet. The world's largest cities by area are important cultural, political and financial centers around the world, making their role even more important in the history of the world.
In addition to natural wonders, our planet is also replete with man-made wonders - created by humanity.
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These, without a doubt, include the largest cities in the world - grandiose capitals, covering areas of thousands of square kilometers, and the most densely populated cities, where tens of millions of people live.
The largest cities in the world by area. First on the list of the largest cities by territory is New York. New Yorkers love to call their city the “capital of the world” - and in a sense, they have every right to do so, because New York, being the largest city in the world, covers an area of 8,683 square kilometers.
The second largest city in the world by area is Tokyo, the capital of Japan. A record 33.2 million people live on an area of 6,993 square kilometers, making Tokyo also the largest city in terms of density and population.
In addition, the Japanese capital is characterized by very expensive accommodation - living costs in Tokyo are much higher than in other capitals of the world.
The top three in the list of the largest cities by area in the world is closed by another American city - Chicago, whose area is 5,498 square kilometers.
In the photo: the famous “giant” skyscrapers of Chicago
Chicago boasts many interesting facilities, such as O'Hare International Airport, the second busiest airport in the world. And Michael Jordan, a legendary basketball player known even to those who are not interested in this sport at all, was once born in Chicago.
In the photo: O'Hare Airport in Chicago, one of the largest airports in the world
The top five largest cities in the world in terms of territory included two more American cities - Dallas (3,644 square kilometers) and Houston (3,355 square kilometers).
Pictured: Downtown Dallas
22.6 million people (!) come to Dallas every year - for work or for tourism. Indeed, there's plenty to see in the world's fourth-largest city, from the gigantic Cowboys Stadium, so tall it could fit the entire Statue of Liberty, to one of the first copies of the American Declaration of Independence, which is housed in the local public library.
Pictured: the famous Dallas Cowboys stadium
Houston, the fifth largest city in the world, is located in Texas, the oil capital of the United States. Like the rest of the world's largest cities, Houston boasts many attractions. Here, for example, is the Lyndon Johnson Space Center, where you can take a tour and even have lunch with the astronauts training at the center.
Space Center Houston
Surprisingly, besides Tokyo, there is not a single city in Europe or Asia in the ranking of the ten largest cities in the world. The first European city on the list occupies only 14th place - this is Paris, whose area is 2,723 square kilometers, and in 15th place is the German Dusseldorf with an area of 2,642 square kilometers.
Moscow, the largest city in Russia by area, occupies only a modest 23rd place in the list of the largest cities on the planet with an area of 2,150 square kilometers.
Largest cities in the world by population
The fact that a city has a large area does not mean that it occupies any noticeable place in the list of the largest cities in the world by population. In the ranking of the 10 largest cities on planet Earth in terms of the number of residents, there are no American cities at all, and the honorable first place is occupied by Shanghai, the largest city in China (and, at the same time, the whole world).
As of October 2014, 24,150,000 people permanently reside in Shanghai - that is, there are almost 4 people for every square kilometer. This is an extremely modest figure: for comparison, in Tokyo, which ranks second on the list of the largest cities in the world by area, the population density is almost 15 people per square kilometer.
In second place in the list of the largest cities on Earth by population is Karachi, the largest city in Pakistan, but, surprisingly, not the capital of the country. Karachi, as of 2014, has a population of 23.5 million and a population density of 6.6 people per square kilometer.
Once the largest city in the world by population, Karachi was a modest fishing village with a population of several hundred people. In just over 150 years, the number of city residents has increased hundreds of thousands of times. In its not very long history, Karachi managed to be the capital of Pakistan - until Islamabad, the modern capital of the country, was built in 1960.
Another Chinese “giant” is Beijing, which has a population of 21 million and 150 thousand inhabitants. Unlike Shanghai and Karachi, which are the economic and commercial centers of their countries, Beijing is the capital of China in every sense: culturally, educationally, and administratively.
The last of the Four Great Capitals of ancient China, Beijing has been the political center of the country for the past eight centuries - and the city is almost three million years old! From Chinese, the name Beijing is translated as “Northern Capital”, and Nanjing was the “Southern” capital of ancient China.
