Top 10 largest cities. The largest city in the world
List of cities in the world by population with a population of over 4 million as of January 2015. There are 3 cities with a population of more than 20 million people and 16 cities with a population of more than 10 million people. The largest cities are Shanghai (24,150,000), Karachi (23,500,000) and Beijing (21,150,000). There are two Russian cities among the largest cities: Moscow (10th place) and St. Petersburg (43rd place). The table shows the population of cities without taking into account the suburbs.
Cities by population
| # | City | Population (people) | City area (km 2) | Population density (person / km 2) | The country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai | 24,150,000 (with rural suburbs) | 6 340,50 | 3 809 | PRC PRC |
| 2 | Karachi | 23 500 000 | 3 527,00 | 6 663 | Pakistan Pakistan |
| 3 | Beijing | 21,516,000 (with rural suburbs) | 16 410,54 | 1 311 | PRC PRC |
| 4 | Delhi | 16 314 838 | 1 484,00 | 7 846 | india india |
| 5 | Lagos | 15 118 780 | 999,58 | 17 068 | Nigeria Nigeria |
| 6 | Istanbul | 13 854 740 | 5 461,00 | 6 467 | Turkey Turkey |
| 7 | Guangzhou | 13 080 500 | 3 843,43 | 3 305 | PRC PRC |
| 8 | Mumbai | 12 478 447 | 603,40 | 20 680 | india india |
| 9 | Tokyo | 13 370 198 | 622,99 | 14 562 | japan japan |
| 10 | Moscow | 12 197 596 | 2 561,50 | 4 814 | Russia, Russia |
| 11 | Dhaka | 12 043 977 | 815,80 | 14 763 | Bangladesh Bangladesh |
| 12 | Cairo | 11 922 949 | 3 085,10 | 3 864 | Egypt Egypt |
| 13 | Sao Paulo | 11 895 893 | 1 521,11 | 7 762 | Brazil Brazil |
| 14 | Lahore | 11 318 745 | 1 772,00 | 3 566 | Pakistan Pakistan |
| 15 | Shenzhen | 10 467 400 | 1 991,64 | 5 255 | PRC PRC |
| 16 | seoul | 10 388 055 | 605,21 | 17 164 | The Republic of Korea The Republic of Korea |
| 17 | Jakarta | 9 988 329 | 664,12 | 15 040 | Indonesia Indonesia |
| 18 | Kinshasa | 9 735 000 | 1 117,62 | 8 710 | Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| 19 | Tianjin | 9 341 844 | 4 037,00 | 2 314 | PRC PRC |
| 20 | mexico city | 8 874 724 | 1 485,49 | 5 974 | Mexico Mexico |
| 21 | Lima | 8 693 387 | 2 672,30 | 3 253 | Peru Peru |
| 22 | Bangalore | 8 425 970 | 709,50 | 11 876 | india india |
| 23 | London | 8 416 535 | 1 572,15 | 5 354 | UK UK |
| 24 | New York | 8 405 837 | 783,84 | 10 724 | USA USA |
| 25 | Bangkok | 8 280 925 | 1 568,74 | 5 280 | Thailand Thailand |
| 26 | dongguan | 8 220 207 | 2 469,40 | 3 329 | PRC PRC |
| 27 | Tehran | 8 154 051 | 686,00 | 11 886 | Iran Iran |
| 28 | Ahmedabad | 8 029 975 | 475,00 | 11 727 | india india |
| 29 | Bogota | 7 776 845 | 859,11 | 9 052 | Colombia Colombia |
| 30 | Ho Chi Minh City | 7 681 700 | 2 095,60 | 3 667 | vietnam vietnam |
| 31 | Hong Kong | 7 219 700 | 1 104,43 | 6 537 | PRC PRC |
| 32 | Baghdad | 7 180 889 | 4 555,00 | 1 577 | Iraq Iraq |
| 33 | Wuhan | 6 886 253 | 1 327,61 | 5 187 | PRC PRC |
| 34 | Hyderabad | 6 809 970 | 621,48 | 10 958 | india india |
| 35 | Hanoi | 6 844 100 | 3 323,60 | 2 059 | vietnam vietnam |
| 36 | Luanda | 6 542 944 | 2 257,00 | 2 899 | angola angola |
| 37 | Rio de Janeiro | 6 429 923 | 1 200,27 | 5 357 | Brazil Brazil |
| 38 | Foshan | 6 151 622 | 2 034,62 | 3 023 | PRC PRC |
| 39 | Santiago | 5 743 719 | 1 249,90 | 4 595 | Chile Chile |
| 40 | Riyadh | 5 676 621 | 1 233,98 | 4 600 | Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia |
| 41 | Singapore | 5 399 200 | 712,40 | 7 579 | Singapore Singapore |
| 42 | Shantou | 5 391 028 | 2 064,42 | 2 611 | PRC PRC |
| 43 | St. Petersburg | 5 225 690 | 1 439,00 | 3 631 | Russia, Russia |
| 44 | Pune | 5 049 968 | 450,69 | 6 913 | india india |
| 45 | Ankara | 5 045 083 | 1 910,92 | 2 282 | Turkey Turkey |
| 46 | chennai | 4 792 949 | 426,51 | 21 057 | india india |
| 47 | Abidjan | 4 765 000 | 2 119,00 | 2 249 | Cote d'Ivoire Cote d'Ivoire |
| 48 | Chengdu | 4 741 929 | 421,00 | 11 260 | PRC PRC |
| 49 | Yangon | 4 714 000 | 598,75 | 7 873 | Myanmar Myanmar |
| 50 | Alexandria | 4 616 625 | 2 300,00 | 2 007 | Egypt Egypt |
| 51 | chongqing | 4 513 137 | 1 435,07 | 3 145 | PRC PRC |
| 52 | Calcutta | 4 486 679 | 200,70 | 24 252 | india india |
| 53 | Xi'an | 4 467 837 | 832,17 | 5 388 | PRC Links
An excerpt characterizing the List of cities in the world by populationNapoleon enters Moscow after a brilliant victory de la Moskowa; there can be no doubt about victory, since the battlefield remains with the French. The Russians retreat and give up the capital. Moscow, filled with provisions, weapons, shells and untold riches, is in the hands of Napoleon. The Russian army, twice as weak as the French, does not make a single attempt to attack for a month. Napoleon's position is the most brilliant. In order to fall on the remnants of the Russian army with double strength and exterminate it, in order to negotiate a favorable peace or, in case of refusal, to make a threatening movement on Petersburg, in order even, in case of failure, to return to Smolensk or Vilna , or stay in Moscow - in order, in a word, to keep the brilliant position in which the French army was at that time, it would seem that no special genius is needed. To do this, it was necessary to do the simplest and easiest thing: to prevent the troops from plundering, to prepare winter clothes, which would be enough in Moscow for the entire army, and to correctly collect provisions for the entire army that were in Moscow for more than six months (according to French historians). Napoleon, the most brilliant of geniuses and having the power to direct the army, historians say, did nothing of the sort.Not only did he not do any of this, but, on the contrary, he used his power to choose from all the paths of activity presented to him that which was the most stupid and pernicious of all. Of all that Napoleon could do: spend the winter in Moscow, go to St. Petersburg, go to Nizhny Novgorod, go back, north or south, the way that Kutuzov went later - well, whatever you think up is more stupid and more pernicious than what he did Napoleon, that is, to remain in Moscow until October, leaving the troops to plunder the city, then, hesitating whether to leave or not to leave the garrison, leave Moscow, approach Kutuzov, do not start fighting, go to the right, reach Maly Yaroslavets, again without experiencing the chance to break through , to go not along the road along which Kutuzov went, but to go back to Mozhaisk and along the devastated Smolensk road - nothing could be more stupid than this, more detrimental to the army, as the consequences showed. Let the most skillful strategists come up with, imagining that Napoleon's goal was to destroy his army, come up with another series of actions that would, with the same certainty and independence from everything that the Russian troops undertake, would completely destroy the whole French army, like what Napoleon did. The brilliant Napoleon did it. But to say that Napoleon destroyed his army because he wanted it, or because he was very stupid, would be just as unfair as to say that Napoleon brought his troops to Moscow because he wanted it, and because that he was very smart and brilliant. In both cases, his personal activity, which had no more power than the personal activity of each soldier, only coincided with the laws according to which the phenomenon took place. Quite falsely (only because the consequences did not justify the activities of Napoleon) historians present to us the strength of Napoleon weakened in Moscow. He, just as before, as after, in the 13th year, used all his skill and strength to do the best for himself and his army. Napoleon's activity during this time is no less amazing than in Egypt, in Italy, in Austria and in Prussia. We do not know correctly about the extent to which the genius of Napoleon was real in Egypt, where forty centuries looked at his greatness, because all these great feats are described to us only by the French. We cannot correctly judge his genius in Austria and Prussia, since information about his activities there must be drawn from French and German sources; and the incomprehensible surrender of corps without battles and fortresses without siege should incline the Germans to recognize genius as the only explanation for the war that was waged in Germany. But there is no reason for us to recognize his genius in order to hide our shame, thank God. We have paid to have the right to simply and directly look at the matter, and we will not cede this right. His activity in Moscow is as amazing and ingenious as elsewhere. Orders after orders and plans after plans come from him from the moment he enters Moscow until he leaves it. The absence of residents and deputations, and the fire of Moscow itself, do not bother him. He does not lose sight of either the good of his army, or the actions of the enemy, or the good of the peoples of Russia, or the administration of the valleys of Paris, or diplomatic considerations about the forthcoming conditions of peace. In military terms, immediately upon entering Moscow, Napoleon strictly orders General Sebastiani to follow the movements of the Russian army, sends corps along different roads, and orders Murat to find Kutuzov. Then he diligently orders the strengthening of the Kremlin; then he makes an ingenious plan for a future campaign across the entire map of Russia. In terms of diplomacy, Napoleon calls to himself the robbed and ragged captain Yakovlev, who does not know how to get out of Moscow, sets out to him in detail all his policy and his generosity and, writing a letter to Emperor Alexander, in which he considers it his duty to inform his friend and brother that Rostopchin badly ordered in Moscow, he sends Yakovlev to Petersburg. Having set out in the same detail his views and generosity before Tutolmin, he sends this old man to St. Petersburg for negotiations. |
Finding out which city is the largest in the world is easy. True, there will be several such megacities. After all, some are leading in size, others - in terms of population.
When studying a modern geographical map, it is difficult to determine in which settlements the most people live and which city is the largest in the world. After all, over time, numerous suburbs joined large cities: small towns, villages, large and small villages. Neighboring settlements formed vast areas of continuous construction - agglomeration. Such zones are clearly visible on satellite images in clear weather due to artificial lighting, which is used in cities and suburbs. The largest agglomerations are located in different parts of the globe, each of which is home to millions of people.
Tenth place in the world is occupied by Sao Paulo - the largest city in Brazil and the most populated metropolis on the American continent. It is a multinational port with a developed tourism and rich cultural life with a population of about 20 million people. It harmoniously combines ancient buildings, and modern architectural ensembles of glass and metal.
The largest city in the US, New York, is in 9th place. More than 8 million people live in it, and the New York metropolitan area has about 21 million inhabitants. This metropolis is an influential economic and financial center not only of the country, but also of the world. Broadway theaters and the Statue of Liberty are the most famous attractions in the city. New York has experienced most of the saddest events in US history in recent decades - the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Foreign tourists consider this city the most attractive place to visit in the United States.
Mumbai (old name - Bombay) - in eighth place. Together with the suburbs, the most populated city in India has more than 22 million inhabitants. This is a place where the cultures of Asia and Europe are combined, national traditions are preserved, and local residents are happy to participate in festivals and holidays of numerous ethnic groups.
Chinese Shanghai ranks seventh in the ranking with a population of over 23 million inhabitants. The city has low crime and unique modern architecture. In it, new buildings are adjacent to historical buildings, the second largest skyscraper in the world is located. Among the agglomerates, it is in seventh place, and among the cities of Shanghai it ranks first.
Karachi used to be the capital of Pakistan. Now it has remained simply the largest city in the country, the center of its business, commercial and industrial life. At the beginning of the 18th century, Karachi was a small fishing village, now it ranks sixth in the top of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. The population of Karachi is more than 23 million people, the city is actively developing and is considered one of the fastest growing.
Seoul is the capital of the Republic of Korea and the center of the world's fifth largest agglomeration with a population of over 24 million people. Royal palaces of ruling dynasties in the past, museums, national parks with Buddhist temples and centers of contemporary art - there is something to see for a curious tourist. Seoul is considered one of the best cities for shopping, and you can always try something delicious in establishments.
The fourth line belongs to the capital of the Philippines. More than 24 million people live in the city of Manila and its surrounding areas. This is one of the busiest ports in the world with a developed industry. Ancient buildings attract tourists; there are many religious and historical sights here.
In 3rd place, the oldest city among megacities is Delhi. The capital of India is more than 5 thousand years old. The city has nine dissimilar administrative districts with a total population of over 26 million people. New Delhi is a central part with rich skyscrapers, a government quarter and excellent infrastructure. It is very different from the Delhi slums with miserable shacks that lack the basic sanitary conditions for life. There are no running water, and more than twenty families use one toilet. Numerous mosques, temples, historical monuments, regular religious festivals, markets with a variety of goods and exotic Indian cuisine - all this is also the hallmark of Delhi.
Jakarta is home to nearly 32 million people and is the second most populated city in the world. This province with capital status has many mosques, temple complexes, parks and entertainment venues for every taste.
The population of Tokyo, together with the city of Yokohama, is almost 38 million people. This record is unlikely to be beaten by any metropolis in the near future. People have inhabited these places since the Stone Age, but only in the last 100 years Tokyo has gradually turned into one of the modern and developed cities in the world and has become the largest city in the world in terms of population. It consists of many islands and the mainland. It is one of the three world financial leaders along with London and New York. The population of the Tokyo agglomeration is larger than the entire Asian part of Russia.
Top 10 largest settlements by area
Some cities are distinguished not by the number of people living in them, but by their size.
| Item number | City name | The country | Area, sq. km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | chongqing | China | 82403 |
| 2 | hangzhou | China | 16847 |
| 3 | Beijing | China | 16801 |
| 4 | Brisbane | Australia | 15826 |
| 5 | Chengdu | China | 14312 |
| 6 | Asmara | Eritrea | 12158 |
| 7 | Sydney | Australia | 12144 |
| 8 | Tianjin | China | 11943 |
| 9 | Melbourne | Australia | 9990 |
| 10 | Kinshasa | Congo | 9965 |
The leader of the rating is Chongqing, which occupies approximately the same territory as Austria. It became the largest city in the world in terms of area due to the peculiarities of the division of the territory adopted in China. In Chongqing, the densely populated part is very small, and more than 90% are suburban areas, which are also administratively considered an urban area.
| No. p / p | Capital, name | Area, square kilometers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beijing, China) | 16801 |
| 2 | Asmara (Eritrea) | 12158 |
| 3 | Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) | 9965 |
| 4 | Naypyidaw (Myanmar) | 7054 |
| 5 | Brasilia (Brazil) | 5801 |
| 6 | Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) | 4704 |
| 7 | Vientiane (Laos) | 3920 |
| 8 | Muscat (Oman) | 3500 |
| 9 | Hanoi (Vietnam) | 3344 |
| 10 | Ottawa (Canada) | 2790 |
The recognized favorite of this list is the Chinese city of Beijing. This is not only the largest capital in the world, but also a fairly populated city - more than 20 million inhabitants live in it. Beijing is developing rapidly, has an amazing atmosphere and attracts millions of tourists every year.
It is impossible to answer unambiguously the question about the largest city in the world. You can make many different ratings and each time get acquainted with new interesting cities in the world.
There are a large number of city ratings. As a rule, they all diverge. It is not possible to say which of the lists is more accurate. It is difficult to collect relevant and accurate data - censuses are not carried out so often, and the city, like a living organism, either grows or “loses weight”. The most important discrepancy occurs due to the fact that it is not clear where the boundaries of the modern metropolis pass. Is it just administrative boundaries? Should suburbs be included? And if so, to what extent?
Publication "Demographia. World Urban Areas & Population Projections" ranked the largest cities in the world for 2013.
1. Tokyo, Japan
Population: 37 million 239 thousand people
Area: 8547 sq. km.
Population density: 4400 people/sq. km
Tokyo is the capital of Japan and the largest urban economy in the world. Yokohama, located 30 km southeast, is the largest port in Japan. The metropolitan area's GDP is more than a third of Japan's GDP.
2. Jakarta - Indonesia
Population: 26 million 746 thousand people
Area: 2784 sq. km.
Population density: 9600 people/sq. km
The earliest mention of Sunda Kelapa, a settlement on the site of Jakarta, dates back to the fourth century during the existence of the Indonesian kingdom of Taruma. Jakarta is a very fast growing city with a population that has grown 17 times since 1930. The city is experiencing great problems due to pollution, overcrowding and periodic floods.
3. Seoul - Republic of Korea
Population: 22 million 868 thousand people
Area: 2163 sq. km.
Population density: 10600 people/sq. km
Seoul changed hands four times during the Korean War. As a result, it was badly damaged and after the war was actually rebuilt. Now Seoul is one of the world's largest industrial and financial centers. Today, the headquarters of such corporations as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, Kia and SK are located here.
4. Delhi - India
Population: 22 million 826 thousand people
Area: 1943 sq. km.
Population density: 11800 people/sq. km
Delhi is a cosmopolitan city with many ethnic and religious groups living in it. According to the Archaeological Survey of India, there are about 60,000 sites of world importance in Delhi, the oldest of which are more than several millennia old. Over the past half century, the population of Delhi has grown by about ten times. This caused numerous overpopulation problems. The emergence of slums, where almost all sanitary facilities and communications are absent, is the most noticeable of them.
5. Shanghai - China
Population: 21 million 766 thousand people
Area: 3497 sq. km.
Population density: 6200 people/sq. km
Shanghai has been mentioned in chronicles since the 10th century. Its commercial location on the sea at the confluence of two great Chinese rivers has always contributed to its prosperity. A new round of city development was given by market reforms of the late 20th century, and now Shanghai is the most important industrial and commercial city in China, one of the world's leading financial centers.
6. Manila - Philippines
Population: 21 million 241 thousand people
Area: 1437 sq. km.
Population density: 14800 people/sq. km
Manila is located on the island of Luzon about 1300 km from mainland Asia.
The city was founded in 1571 by the Spanish conquistador and adelanto López de Legazpi. Under the Spanish crown, Manila became the center of the Christianization of the region, so even now the vast majority of the city's population are Catholics, and the churches of Manila are listed as a UNESCO heritage. The main problem is air pollution from transport and industry. In the rivers of the city for a long time there was nothing left alive.
7. Karachi - Pakistan
Population: 20 million 877 thousand people
Area: 803 sq. km.
Population density: 26000 people/sq. km
Pakistanis call Karachi the Bride of Cities and the City of Lights. Now it is the largest industrial and transport hub of Pakistan. And in the 17th century, Karachi was just a coastal village. After the British invaded, they needed a seaport. Thanks to this, the infrastructure of the city was created.
In 1947, Karachi became the capital of the newly independent Pakistan and remained so until 1969, when all official institutions moved to Islamabad. But the city has retained its status as an economic and financial center, which has contributed to a large migration of rural residents, which has led to an overload of the city's already far from brilliant infrastructure. One in three of these migrants were forced to settle in the slums of Catchi Abadi without running water, electricity or sanitation. Severe overcrowding is a modern problem in Karachi.
8. New York - USA
Population: 20 million 673 thousand people
Area: 11642 sq. km.
Population density: 1800 people/sq. km
The city was founded at the beginning of the 17th century by Dutch colonists and was called New Amsterdam until it was captured by the British in 1664.
Now the "Big Apple", as New York is called, is the largest economic center, not only in the United States, but in the whole world. Financial institutions located in the city control approximately 40% of the world's money.
The appearance of New York is shaped by skyscrapers. Although the birthplace of skyscrapers is Chicago, the first association with the word "skyscraper" is New York. There are more than five and a half thousand high-rise buildings in the city.
9. Sao Paulo - Brazil
Population: 20 million 568 thousand people
Area: 3173 sq. km.
Population density: 6500 people/sq.km
In Sao Paulo, a large number of monuments to the past, ancient buildings and churches have been preserved, but at the same time the city is one of the most modern in Latin America. The city has a reputation as a cultural and educational center. Unemployment and crime rates are gradually decreasing due to economic growth and exports. Thanks to business, the city now attracts more visitors than Rio de Janeiro.
10. Mexico City - Mexico
Population: 20 million 032 thousand people
Area: 2046 sq. km.
Population density: 9800 people/sq.km
The city was founded by the Aztecs, and now more than half of the city's population are mestizos of Indian-Spanish origin. Mexico City is located on a high plateau in the heart of Mexico, at an altitude of more than two kilometers, and mountains border it on all sides. Because of this, smog often hangs over the city, which, along with overcrowding, is one of Mexico City's most difficult problems.
Bonus from me: Moscow
Population: 12 111 194
Area: 2511 km²
Population density: 4823.26 people/km²
Moscow is the most populated city in Russia and Europe. As a city of federal significance, it is also the most populated subject of the Russian Federation.
Moscow is also the center of the Moscow urban agglomeration, the largest urban agglomeration in Russia and Europe with a permanent population of about 15 million people.
There are more than two million cities in our world, each of them is unique, has its own atmosphere, culture, size and population. Many of them are unknown to anyone, while others have been heard by everyone. To become famous, the city must have some kind of attraction, or become the center of historical events, or, for example, become known as the largest city in terms of area. What metropolis deserved this status? Let's find out in our ranking of the largest cities in the world!
The largest cities in the world by area
The largest metropolis is located in the center of China. He deserved the first place thanks to a very impressive territory of almost 83 thousand square kilometers. True, "mileage" includes not only the urban area, but also the suburbs and the countryside. Official figures say that Chongqing is 470 kilometers long and 450 kilometers wide, which is equivalent to the area of Austria!
The city is divided into nineteen districts, five counties and four autonomous counties. The population, approaching 29 million, mostly lives in villages. Only 20% of the total number are in the metropolis.
Chongqing is an ancient city with three thousand years of history. The first people appeared on the territory of the future metropolis in the Paleolithic era. It was in these lands that the settlers found coziness and comfort, because the city is located at the confluence of the Jialingjiang River with the Yangtze.
Chongqing is surrounded by three mountain ranges: Dabashan guards it from the north, Wushan vigilantly looks at it from the east, and Dalushan from the south. Because of the bizarre landscape, the city is called "mountainous" (Shancheng).
In China, there are as many as eight ancient capitals, and so Hangzhou is one of them, and in combination this city is also the center of the economy, culture and science, as well as an important transport hub.
The longest artificial canal on Earth, known as the Great, passes through Hangzhou, as well as the Qiantangjiang River, which is unstable due to the ebb and flow of the tides. The metropolis is divided into eight districts and five counties, and it itself is spread over 16.5 square kilometers. The urban zone makes up one fifth of the total area.
The Chinese themselves call Hangzhou a paradise on Earth, this city is famous for its ancient history. No wonder, because it has 8 thousand years! The city is very generous with resources and strikes with beautiful views. Even Marco Polo could not remain indifferent to Hangzhou and called it the most beautiful place on the planet.
The capital of the Middle Kingdom is spread over 16.8 thousand square kilometers, accommodating more than 21 million inhabitants. The city is inferior economically to Hong Kong and Shanghai, but leads in politics and education. And in 2008, it hosted the Summer Olympic Games.
Beijing, whose history spans three millennia, has always been the haven of emperors, which allowed it to be considered the most important city in the country. People still come here to look at the imperial palaces, tombs, temples and parks. Local residents hold sacred ancient traditions, not forgetting to restore old buildings, while new and modern areas are being built around. By the way, Beijing is called the safest city in the world!
We looked at the top three largest cities, given the area. But our rating would not be complete if we did not include cities that differ from others in the number of inhabitants inhabiting them.
The largest cities in the world by population
According to recent studies, the largest city in terms of population is Shanghai, China. It is located in the Yangtze River Delta and spreads over an area of almost two thousand square kilometers. This is the most important point in China, both financially and culturally. Shanghai was originally a simple fishing village, but now it is a major seaport and one of the most important cities in China. The census showed that more than 24 million inhabitants live here, and these are only those who are officially registered. That is why Shanghai can safely be called the largest city in the world in this indicator.
This Pakistani city was once the capital of this country and only in the middle of the last century lost this honorary status. Karachi is located in southern Pakistan, on the Arabian Sea. This is a major trading hub of the country, besides the center of education throughout South Asia. After the city gained independence from Great Britain, the population began to grow rapidly. At the moment, with a total area of Karachi of 3.5 thousand square kilometers, the city accommodates 23.5 million inhabitants.
Yes, the capital of the Celestial Empire has distinguished itself here too. Being the third in area, it occupies the same place in terms of population. Beijing is constant only in this, for its long existence the city has changed many names, only in the 15th century it received its current name. If you count the suburbs of Beijing, which is what sociologists usually do, the population of the city approaches 22 million. And this is without taking into account the numerous migrants working unofficially in Beijing.
The Indian capital is a place of pilgrimage for many travelers, with a population of 16 million. But due to the flow of tourists, a much larger number of people are in Delhi at the same time. And all because here the most beautiful temples with mud in the slums, bright and enchanting festivities and the quiet, obscure life of the poor are so intricately intertwined. A city of contrasts and chaotic movement, eternal bustle, general noise and din, for someone to be here for more than two weeks becomes a test of a lifetime. But many note for themselves that they could live here forever.
Delhi has more than one millennium of history, there is something to see for any, the most demanding tourist. Attractions are mainly concentrated in two areas of Delhi - Old and New, which are separated by another area - Pahar Ganj. The latter most often becomes a haven for travelers. The most interesting historical exhibits of the capital are: Jama Masjid Mosque, Humayun Mausoleum, military fortresses, Lodi Park and numerous temples to various deities.
This city is located in the southwest of Nigeria and is not only the former capital city, but also the largest settlement in this territory. Lagos is located in the Bay of Benin under the "supervision" of the Atlantic waters. Even though Lagos is no longer the capital, it remains an important city for Nigeria. This is not only a transport hub, but also the center of the country's politics and culture, where, in addition, industry is very developed. Lagos is spread over a thousand square kilometers, where 15 million people live.
This city once had a different name, Eco, which literally meant "farm plot" (according to another version, "military camp"). Local residents were engaged in growing vegetables and fruits here, and now the city is famous for its developed infrastructure, production, tall buildings and wide avenues. The main area of activity of the local population is work in production or trade, although the film industry is also developed in Lagos.
More than 50% of the world's population are city dwellers. Based on the fact that 7 billion people live on the planet, there are approximately 50 people for every square kilometer of the earth's surface. However, there are places where the accuracy of people is amazing. For example, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro has a density of 48,000 people per sq. km.
The largest cities in the world by population
We present you the top 10 largest cities in the world in terms of population. All the given data on the number of citizens are taken from Wikipedia, Worldatlas and other open sources and are relevant 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 has 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 has 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, a population boom began in Tokyo and for the first time in its history, the population exceeded 13 million people. The city authorities attributed the population growth to the intensive construction of condominiums and the 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 focus of the Turkish economy.
Now the construction of the new Istanbul Airport is in full swing, which will be able to receive 150 million passengers a year. It should become the largest airport in the world. The opening of the new air harbor is scheduled for 2018. After that, the old Ataturk Airport will be closed.
Population: 15.1 million people
The commercial center of his 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 zone of China and has over 15 million inhabitants.
It is curious that in this Chinese port city until 1919 there was a post office of Russia. 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 the population of Delhi 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 in 1949. Automobiles, textiles, aerospace and semiconductors are just a few of the products that are produced in this city.
Population: 23.5 million people
It is hard to imagine that once this multi-million dollar city was 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 in terms of population is one of the 5 national central cities of the People's Republic of China (PRC) and is located in southwest China.
Such a large number of residents is due to the huge number of migrant workers, many of whom live in Chongqing for less than 6 months a year. At the same time, 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 effects of the one-child policy have taken their toll. The labor force is shrinking, while the elderly population is growing exponentially. As one analyst said, China could be the first major country to get old before it gets rich.
The largest city in the world in terms of population has a large gap between born boys and girls under 20, and this threatens to cause problems in the future. For example, this can cause a drop in the birth rate and, accordingly, a shortage of labor. 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 to the question "what is the largest city in the world?" 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 million-plus cities.
We present you the largest cities in the world, if the territory controlled by the city administration is taken as the main parameter.
Area: 9,965 km²
Most (namely, 60%) of the capital of the Republic of the Congo is occupied by sparsely populated rural areas. However, it is included in the administrative boundaries of the city. Crowded, 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 the first place, of course, Paris). And if the current demographic situation continues, then in 2020 Kinshasa will surpass Paris in terms of the 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 4.44 million people living in Melbourne, it is only slightly behind number seven on the list. But all the big Australian cities have one thing in common - they are located near the coastline. The coastal areas encouraged the growth of the first European settlements, which quickly developed into modern bustling metropolitan areas.
Area: 11,943 km²
Tianjin - the "commercial gateway" of Beijing - began to develop as a trading center after the Grand Canal was built during the Sui Dynasty.
The city especially grew during the reign of the Qing Dynasty, and during the existence of the Republic of China. The most dynamically developing sector of the urban economy is the seaport of Tianjin.
Rosneft and China National Petroleum Corporation have also agreed to build an oil refinery in Tianjin. The signing of the construction schedule became known back in 2014. The start-up of the plant is scheduled for 2019.
Area: 12,367 km²
The city of 4.84 million expanded rapidly following the development of the Harbor Bridge. Its residential areas are surrounded by beautiful national parks. And on the extremely indented coastline there was a place for numerous beaches, bays, coves and islands.
Area: 12,390 km²
The city, which was once famous for its brocade, and at one time was the capital of China, in addition to its impressive size, boasts the world's largest Buddha statue. The height of the Big Buddha, carved into the rock, is 71 meters. According to the locals, "Gradually, the mountain becomes the Buddha, and the Buddha becomes the mountain."
Area: 15,061 km²
Once the capital of the state of Eritrea was 4 villages founded in the 12th century. And now it is the largest city in the country, which is called the "New Rome" due 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 as Asmara - "flowering forest" in translation 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. He "gathered" from 20 separate municipalities and acquired the status of a city in 1925.
Now Brisbane is the fastest growing Australian city, and at the same time one of the most multinational in the world.
Area: 16,411 km²
More than 20 million people live in the capital of China. The Beijing urban area diverges in circles that are between the concentric ring roads of the city. The largest of them is the Sixth Ring Road, which runs even 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 populated city in the world. It is still rather big, 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 is Suzhou and Hangzhou.”
Area: 82,403 km²
The largest and most populated city in the world is Chongqing. Most of the population lives outside the urbanized zone, the size of which is 1,473 km². And the total area of the city, together with suburban and rural areas, corresponds to the size of Austria.