The largest cities in the world in terms of population. The largest cities in the world in terms of population and territory. The largest cities in Europe by area

There are cities in the world with a large population. And still nothing if the city occupies a large area, and the population density in it is small. And if the city has very little land? Does it happen that the country is small, and around the city there are rocks and the sea? So the city has to build up. At the same time, the population per 1 square kilometer is growing rapidly. The city from the simple becomes densely populated. Immediately, we note that it is the population density that is taken into account, while there are other ratings, where megalopolises are located by area, number of inhabitants, number of skyscrapers, as well as many other parameters. On LifeGlobe you can find most of these ratings. We will go directly to our list. So what are the largest cities in the world?

Top 10 most populous cities in the world:

1. Shanghai

Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the largest cities in the world, located in the Yangtze River Delta. One of the four cities of central subordination of the PRC, an important financial and cultural center of the country, as well as the world's largest seaport. By the beginning of the XX century. Shanghai has evolved from a small fishing town to the most important city in China and the third financial center in the world after London and New York. In addition, the city has become a center of mass culture, vice, intellectual controversy and political intrigue in Republican China. Shanghai is the financial and commercial center of China.

Market reforms in Shanghai began in 1992, a decade later than in the southern provinces. Prior to that, most of the city's income went irrevocably to Beijing. Even after lowering the tax burden in 1992, tax revenues from Shanghai accounted for 20-25% of revenues from all of China (up to the 1990s, this figure was about 70%). Today Shanghai is the largest and most developed city in mainland China. In 2005, Shanghai became the world's largest port in terms of cargo turnover (443 million tons of cargo).

According to the 2000 census, the population of the entire territory of Shanghai (including the non-urban area) is 16.738 million people, this figure also includes temporary residents in Shanghai, whose number is 3.871 million people. Since the previous 1990 census, the population of Shanghai has increased by 3.396 million, or 25.5%. Men make up 51.4% of the city's population, women - 48.6%. Children under 14 years old make up 12.2% of the population, the age group 15-64 years old - 76.3%, the elderly over 65 - 11.5%. 5.4% of Shanghai's population is illiterate.

In 2003, there were 13.42 million officially registered residents in Shanghai, and more than 5 million. live and work in Shanghai informally, of which about 4 million are seasonal workers, mainly from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The average life expectancy in 2003 was 79.80 years (men - 77.78 years, women - 81.81 years).

Like many other regions in China, Shanghai is experiencing a construction boom. Shanghai's modern architecture is distinguished by its unique style - in particular, the upper floors of high-rise buildings, occupied by restaurants, are shaped like flying saucers. Most of the buildings under construction in Shanghai today are high-rise apartment buildings, varying in height, color and design. Organizations responsible for planning the city's development are now paying more attention to the creation of green spaces and parks within residential complexes to improve the quality of life of Shanghai people, which is quite consistent with the slogan of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai: "Better city, better life."

Historically, Shanghai was very westernized and is now increasingly taking on the role of the main center of communication between China and the West. One example of this is the opening of the Pac-Med Medical Exchange, an information center for the exchange of medical knowledge between Western and Chinese health institutions. Pudong has houses and streets very similar to the business and residential areas of modern American and Western European cities. There are large international shopping and hotel areas nearby. Despite its high population density and large number of visitors, Shanghai is known for a very low crime rate against foreigners.

As of January 1, 2009, the population of Shanghai is 18,884,600, if the area of ​​this city is 6,340 km2, and the population density is 2,683 people per km2.

2. Karachi

Karachi, the largest city, the main economic center and seaport of Pakistan, is located at the Indus Delta, 100 km from its confluence with the Arabian Sea. The administrative center of Sindh province. Population for 2004 is 10.89 million people. It arose at the beginning of the 18th century. on the site of the fishing village of Balochi Kalachi. Since the end of the 18th century. under the Sindh rulers of the Talpur dynasty, it was the main Sindi maritime and trade center on the Arabian coast.

In 1839 it became a naval base of Great Britain, in 1843-1847 - the capital of the province of Sindh, and then the main city of the region that was part of the Bombay presidency. Since 1936 - the capital of the province of Sindh. In 1947-1959 - the capital of Pakistan. The favorable geographical position of the city, located in a convenient natural harbor, contributed to its rapid growth and development during the colonial period and especially after the division in 1947 of British India into two independent states - India and Pakistan.

The transformation of Karachi into the main political and economic center of the country led to a rapid population growth, mainly due to the influx of immigrants from outside: in 1947-1955. from 350 thousand people up to 1.5 million people Karachi is the largest city in the country and belongs to the largest cities in the world. The main trade, economic and financial center of Pakistan, a seaport (15% of GDP and 25% of tax revenues to the budget).

About 49% of the country's industrial production is concentrated in Karachi and its suburbs. Plants: a metallurgical plant (the largest in the country, built with the assistance of the USSR, 1975-85), oil refineries, engineering, car assembly, ship repair, chemical, cement plants, pharmaceutical, tobacco, textile, food (sugar) industries (concentrated in several industrial zones : CITY - Sind Industrial Trading Estate, Landhi, Malir, Korangi, etc.

Major commercial banks, branches of foreign banks, central offices and branches of insurance companies, stock and cotton exchanges, offices of the largest trading companies (including foreign ones). International Airport (1992). The port of Karachi (cargo turnover over 9 million tons per year) serves up to 90% of the country's maritime trade and is the largest port in South Asia. Naval base.

Largest cultural and scientific center: university, research institutions, Aga Khan University of Health Sciences, Hamdard Foundation Center for Oriental Medicine, National Museum of Pakistan, Museum of the Naval Forces. Zoo (in the former City Gardens, 1870). Mausoleum of Qaid-i Azam M. A. Jinnah (1950s), Sindh University (founded in 1951, M. Ecoshar), Art Center (1960). Architecturally interesting are the central streets built up during the period between the world wars. from local pink limestone and sandstone.

The business center of Karachi - Shara-i-Faisal, Jinna Road and Chandrigar Road with buildings mainly of the 19th and 20th centuries: the High Court (early 20th century, neoclassicism), the Pearl-Continental Hotel (1962), architects W. Tabler and Z. Pathan), State Bank (1961, architects J.L. Ricci and A. Caium). To the northwest of Jinnah Road is the Old Town with narrow streets, one- and two-story houses. In the south - the fashionable Clifton area, built up mainly with villas. Buildings of the 19th century are also distinguished. in the Indo-Gothic style - Frere Hall (1865) and Empress Market (1889). Saddar, Zamzama, Tariq Road are the main shopping streets of the city, where hundreds of shops and shops are located. A significant number of modern high-rise buildings, luxury hotels (Avari, Marriott, Sheraton) and shopping centers.

For 2009, the population of this city is 18 140 625, the area is 3 530 sq. Km, the population density is 5 139 people. per sq. km.

3.Istanbul

One of the main reasons for the transformation of Istanbul into a world metropolis was the geographical location of the city. Istanbul, located at the intersection of 48 degrees north latitude and 28 degrees east longitude, is the only city in the world that is located on two continents. Istanbul lies on 14 hills, each of which has its own name, but now we will not tire you with listing them.

The following should be noted - the city consists of three unequal parts, into which it is divided by the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn (a small bay 7 km long). On the European side: the historical peninsula located in the south of the Golden Horn, and in the north of the Golden Horn - the districts of Beyolu, Galata, Taksim, Besiktash, on the Asian side - the "New City". On the European continent there are numerous shopping and service centers, on the Asian one - mostly residential areas.

Overall, Istanbul, 150 km long and 50 km wide, has an approximate area of ​​7,500 km. But no one knows its true borders, it is about to merge with the city of Izmit in the east. With continuous migration from villages (up to 500,000 per year), the population is rapidly increasing. Every year, 1,000 new streets appear in the city, and new residential areas are built up on the west-east axis.

The population is constantly increasing by 5% per year, i.e. doubles every 12 years. Every 5 residents of Turkey live in Istanbul. The number of tourists visiting this marvelous city reaches 1.5 million.The very same population is unknown to anyone, officially, according to the latest census, 12 million people lived in the city, although now this figure has increased to 15 million, and some argue that already 20 million people live in Istanbul.

Tradition says that the founder of the city in the 7th century BC. was the Megarian leader Byzantium, to whom the Delphic oracle predicted where it would be better to arrange a new settlement. The place really turned out to be very successful - a cape between two seas - Black and Marble, half in Europe, half in Asia. In the 4th century A.D. the Roman emperor Constantine chose the settlement of Byzantium to build a new capital of the empire, which was named Constantinople in his honor.

After the fall of Rome in 410, Constantinople finally established itself as the undisputed political center of the empire, which since then was called not Roman, but Byzantine. The city reached its highest prosperity under the Emperor Justinian. It was the center of fabulous wealth and incredible luxury. In the 9th century, the population of Constantinople numbered about a million people!

The main streets had sidewalks and awnings, and they were decorated with fountains and columns. It is believed that a copy of Constantinople architecture is represented by Venice, where bronze horses are installed on the portal of St. Mark's Cathedral, taken from the Constantinople hippodrome after the sack of the city by the crusaders in 1204. For 2009, the population of this city is 16 767 433, the area is 2 106 sq. Km, the population density is 6 521 people. per sq km

4.Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital of Japan, its administrative, financial, cultural and industrial center. Located in the southeastern part of the island of Honshu, on the Kanto Plain in the bay of the Tokyo Bay of the Pacific Ocean. Area - 2 187 sq. Km. Population - 15 570 000 people. The population density is 5,740 people / km2, the highest among the prefectures of Japan.

Officially, Tokyo is not a city, but one of the prefectures, more precisely, a metropolitan area, the only one in this class. Its territory, in addition to part of the island of Honshu, includes several small islands to the south of it, as well as the islands of Izu and Ogasawara. Tokyo District consists of 62 administrative units - cities, towns and rural communities. When they say "city of Tokyo", they usually mean the 23 special districts included in the metropolitan area, which from 1889 to 1943 constituted the administrative unit of the city of Tokyo, and now they themselves are equated in status with cities; each has its own mayor and city council. The metropolitan government is headed by a popularly elected governor. The headquarters of the government is located in Shinjuku, which is the municipal center of the county. Tokyo is also home to the state government and the Tokyo Imperial Palace (the old name Tokyo Imperial Castle is also used) - the main residence of the Japanese emperors.

Although the Tokyo area was inhabited by tribes back in the Stone Age, the city began to play an active role in history relatively recently. In the XII century, a fort was built here by the local Edo warrior Taro Sigenada. According to tradition, he got the name Edo from his place of residence. In 1457, Ota Dokan, ruler of the Kanto region under the Japanese shogunate, built Edo Castle. In 1590, Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the shogun clan, took possession of it. Thus, Edo became the capital of the shogunate, while Kyoto remained the imperial capital. Ieyasu established long-term institutions of governance.

The city grew rapidly and by the 18th century it had become one of the largest cities in the world. In 1615, Ieyasu's armies destroyed their opponents - the Toyotomi clan, thereby gaining absolute power for about 250 years. As a result of the Meiji restoration in 1868, the shogunate came to an end, in September Emperor Mutsuhito moved the capital here, calling it the "Eastern Capital" - Tokyo. This sparked a debate over whether Kyoto can still be the capital. In the second half of the 19th century, industry began to develop rapidly, then shipbuilding.

In 1872, the Tokyo-Yokohama railway was built, in 1877 - Kobe-Osaka-Tokyo. Until 1869 the city was called Edo. On September 1, 1923, the largest earthquake (7-9 points on the Richter scale) occurred in and around Tokyo. Almost half of the city was destroyed, a massive fire broke out. Around 90,000 people were killed. Although the reconstruction plan proved to be very expensive, the city began to partially rebuild. The city was again seriously damaged during the Second World War. The city was subjected to massive air attacks.

In just one raid, more than 100,000 residents were killed. Many wooden buildings burned down, and the old Imperial Palace was damaged. After the war, Tokyo was occupied by the military; during the Korean War, it became a major military center. There are still several American bases here (Yokota military base, etc.). In the middle of the 20th century, the country's economy began to rapidly revive (which was described as an "Economic Miracle"), in 1966 it became the second largest economy in the world. The resurgence from war trauma proved that Tokyo hosted the 1964 Summer Olympics, where the city showed itself favorably on the international stage.

Since the 70s, Tokyo has been swept by a wave of rural labor, which has led to the further development of the city. By the end of the 1980s, it had become one of the most dynamically developing cities on Earth. On March 20, 1995, a gas attack using sarin took place in the Tokyo subway. The attack was carried out by the religious sect Aum Shinrikyo. As a result, more than 5,000 people were injured, 11 of them died. Seismic activity in the Tokyo area led to the beginning of discussions about the transfer of the capital of Japan to another city. Three candidates have been named: Nasu (300 km north), Higashino (near Nagano, central Japan) and a new city in Mie province, near Nagoya (450 km west of Tokyo).

A government decision has already been received, although no further action is being taken. Currently, Tokyo continues to develop. Projects to create artificial islands are being consistently implemented. The most notable project is Odaiba, which is now the main shopping and entertainment center.

5. Mumbai

The history of the emergence of Mumbai - a dynamic modern city, the financial capital of India and the administrative center of the state of Maharashtra - is rather unusual. In 1534, the Sultan of Gujarat ceded a group of seven unnecessary islands to the Portuguese, and they, in turn, presented them to the Portuguese princess Catarina Braganza on the day of her wedding to King Charles II of England in 1661. In 1668, the British government surrendered the islands leased to the East India Company for 10 pounds of gold a year, and gradually Mumbai grew into a center of commerce.

In 1853, the first railway line on the subcontinent was laid from Mumbai to Thane, and in 1862 a colossal land management project turned the seven islands into a single whole - Mumbai embarked on the path of becoming the largest metropolis. During its existence, the city has changed its name four times, and for those who are not experts in geography, its former name is more familiar - Bombay. Mumbai, according to the historical name of the area, it was renamed again in 1997. Today it is a lively city with a pronounced character: the largest industrial and commercial center, it is still actively interested in theater and other arts. Mumbai is also home to the main center of the film industry in India - Bollywood.

Mumbai is the most populous city in India, with a population of 13,922,125 in 2009. Together with satellite cities, it forms the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 21.3 million people. The area occupied by Greater Mumbai is 603.4 sq. km The city stretches along the coast of the Arabian Sea for 140 km.

6. Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country and one of the largest cities in South America.

Buenos Aires is located 275 km from the Atlantic Ocean in the well-protected bay of La Plata Bay, on the right bank of the Riachuelo River. The average air temperature in July is +10 degrees, and in January +24. The amount of precipitation in the city is 987 mm per year. The capital is located in the northeastern part of Argentina, on a flat area, in a subtropical natural belt. The natural vegetation of the city's environs is represented by tree and grass species typical for meadow steppes and savannas. Greater Buenos Aires has 18 suburbs with a total area of ​​3,646 square kilometers.

The population of the capital of Argentina proper is 3,050,728 (2009, estimate) people, which is 275 thousand (9.9%) more than in 2001 (2,776,138, census). In total, the urban agglomeration, including the numerous suburbs directly adjacent to the capital, is home to 13,356,715 (2009, estimate). The inhabitants of Buenos Aires have a half-joking nickname - porteño (literally, the inhabitants of the port). The population of the capital and its suburbs is rapidly increasing, including due to the immigration of guest workers from Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and other neighboring countries.

The city is very multicultural, but the main division of communities is along class lines, not along racial lines as in the United States. The majority of the population are Spaniards and Italians, descendants of both the settlers of the Spanish colonial period 1550-1815 and the larger wave of European immigrants to Argentina in 1880-1940. About 30% are mestizos and representatives of other nationalities, among which communities stand out: Arabs, Jews, British, Armenians, Japanese, Chinese and Koreans, there is also a large number of immigrants from neighboring countries, primarily from Bolivia and Paraguay, recently from Korea , China and Africa.

During the colonial period, groups of Indians, mestizos and black slaves were noticeable in the city, gradually disappearing into the southern European population, although their cultural and genetic influences are still felt today. Thus, the genes of modern residents of the capital are rather mixed in comparison with white Europeans: on average, the genes of residents of the capital are 71.2% European, 23.5% Indian and 5.3% African. At the same time, depending on the quarter, African impurities vary from 3.5% to 7.0%, and Indian from 14.0% to 33%.

The state language in the capital is Spanish. Other languages ​​- Italian, Portuguese, English, German and French - are now practically out of use as native languages ​​due to the mass assimilation of immigrants in the second half of the 19th - early 20th century. XX centuries., But are still taught as foreign. During the period of a massive influx of Italians (especially Neapolitans), the mixed Italian-Spanish sociolect Lunfardo spread in the city, gradually disappearing, but leaving traces in the local language version of the Spanish language (See Spanish in Argentina).

The majority of the city's believers are adherents of Catholicism, a small part of the capital's residents profess Islam and Judaism, but in general the level of religiosity is extremely low, since the secular-liberal way of life prevails. The city is divided into 47 administrative districts, the division was originally based on linking to Catholic parishes, and remained so until 1940.

7. Dhaka

The name of the city comes from the name of the Hindu goddess of fertility Durga or from the name of the tropical tree Dhaka, which gives valuable resin. Dhaka is located on the northern bank of the turbulent Buriganda River almost in the center of the country and looks more like the legendary Babylon than the modern capital. Dhaka is a river port in the Ganges Brahmaputra delta and a center for boating. Despite the fact that travel by water is rather slow, water transport in the country is well developed, safe and widely used.

The oldest section of the city, lying north of the coastline, is the ancient trading center of the Mughal Empire. In the Old City there is an unfinished fortress - Fort LaBad, dating from 1678, which houses the Bibi Pari mausoleum (1684). Also worth noticing are the more than 700 mosques, including the famous Hussein Dalan, located in the Old City. Now the Old City is a vast area between the two main water transport terminals, Sadarghat and Badam Tole, where the experience of observing the daily life of the river is especially charming and interesting. Also in the old part of the city there are traditional large oriental bazaars.

The population of the city is 9 724 976 inhabitants (2006), with the suburbs - 12 560 thousand people (2005).

8. Manila

Manila is the capital and main city of the Central Region of the Republic of the Philippines, which occupies the Philippine Islands in the Pacific Ocean. In the west, the islands are washed by the South China Sea, in the north they adjoin Taiwan through the Bashi Strait. Located on the island of Luzon (the largest in the archipelago), the metropolis of Manila includes, in addition to Manila itself, four more cities and 13 municipalities.

The name of the city comes from two Tagalog (local Filipino) words "may" meaning "to appear" and "nilad" - the name of the original settlement located on the banks of the Pasig River and the Gulf. Before the conquest of Manila by the Spaniards in 1570, Muslim tribes lived on the islands, who were intermediaries in the Chinese trade with South Asian merchants. After a fierce struggle, the Spaniards occupied the ruins of Manila, which was set on fire by the natives, fleeing the invaders. After 20 years, the Spaniards returned and built defensive structures.

In 1595 Manila became the capital of the Archipelago. From this time until the 19th century, Manila was the center of trade between the Philippines and Mexico. With the arrival of the Europeans, the Chinese were limited in free trade and repeatedly rebelled against the colonists. In 1898, the Americans invaded the Philippines, and after several years of war, the Spanish ceded their colony to them. Then the US-Philippine War began, which ended in 1935 with the independence of the islands. During the period of US domination in Manila, several enterprises of the light and food industries, oil refineries, and the production of building materials were opened.

During World War II, the Philippines was occupied by the Japanese. The state gained final independence in 1946. Currently Manila is the main seaport, financial and industrial center of the country. The factories and factories of the capital produce electrical equipment, chemicals, clothing, food, tobacco, etc. The city has several low-cost markets and shopping centers that attract visitors from all over the Republic. The role of tourism has been growing in recent years.

In 2009, the population of this city is 12,285,000.

9. Delhi

Delhi (Delhi) - the capital of India, a city with 13 million population, which is inevitable for most travelers. A city in which all the classic Indian contrasts are fully manifested - grandiose temples and dirty slums, bright celebrations of life and quiet death in the gateways. A city in which it is difficult for an ordinary Russian person to live for more than two weeks, after which he will begin to quietly go crazy - the incessant movement, general bustle, noise and din, an abundance of dirt and poverty will be a good test for you.

Like any city with a thousand-year history, Delhi has many interesting places to visit. Most of them are located in two districts of the city - Old and New Delhi, between which there is the Pahar Ganj district, where most independent travelers stay. Among the most interesting sights of Delhi are the Jama Masjid Mosque, Lodhi Garden, Humayun Tomb, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Lal Qila and Purana Qila military fortresses.

For 2009, the population of this city is 11 954 217

10.Moscow

The city of Moscow is a huge metropolis, consisting of nine administrative districts, which include one hundred and twenty administrative districts. There are many parks, gardens, and forest parks on the territory of Moscow.

The first written mention of Moscow dates back to 1147. But the settlements on the site of the modern city were much earlier, in a time remote from us, according to some historians, by 5 thousand years. However, all this belongs to the field of legends and conjectures. No matter how it happened, but in the XIII century Moscow is the center of an independent principality, and by the end of the XV century. it becomes the capital of the emerging united Russian state. Since then, Moscow has been one of the largest cities in Europe. For centuries Moscow has been an outstanding center of all-Russian culture, science and art.

The largest city in Russia and Europe in terms of population (population as of July 1, 2009 - 10.527 million people), the center of the Moscow urban agglomeration. It is also one of the ten largest cities in the world.

February 15, 2013 | Categories: Places, Topper

Rating: +7 Article author: Soul Views: 1,050 698822

In the nineteenth or even at the beginning of the twentieth century, it was easy to visit the largest cities in the world. Both in terms of area and population. The travelers knew that these were the capitals - London, New York, Paris, Berlin. And in Russia this was St. Petersburg.

Less than two hundred years have passed. For such a short period of time, the rating has changed.

Thanks to the accelerated development, the cities of the former "developing" countries came to the fore. For tourists who dream of visiting the mega-cities of the planet, you will have to consider the new top lists.

Each of them differs in customs and history. Even newly emerging urban settlements have their own legends. As, for example, near the "ghost town" Ordos, which covers an area of ​​more than 86 thousand kilometers ...

The "Largest Cities on Earth" tour starts in China.

1. Chongqing - the city of revived fantasy

The size is comparable to the not the smallest country in Europe - Austria. Its area is almost 82,500 km², but construction continues ... and in height too.

Chongqing is reminiscent of the science fiction films of Hollywood producers. Multi-storey road junctions and crossings; dozens of newest bridges; flyovers on stilts along the banks. And quite a bit of nostalgia - small old houses for tourists.

The construction of the "business card" of the city - Raffles Citi Changqing will soon be completed. The final part of this complex will be a horizontal skyscraper designed by Canadian Moshe Safdie. A building 300 meters long will be raised to a height of 250 meters.

It is difficult to travel around this giant on foot (and even by bicycle).

2. Hangzhou City of Tea and Corporations

Almost five times smaller than Chongqing (area - 16,840 km²). The first became the capital of China. Back in 1200, the population ranged from 860 thousand to one million people. And Marco Polo called him "the most beautiful and luxurious" in the world.

A paradise for travel - West Lake, tea plantations, about seven dozen ancient sights. All this against the backdrop of beautiful nature.

Hangzhou is renowned for its annual business exhibitions in various industries. It is spoken of as the city of “thousands of corporations”.

3. Capital of China Beijing

The northern capital has been renamed several times over its centuries-old existence. Only from the twenty-first year of the fifteenth century the capital of China began to be called Beijing. In terms of area, the city ranks third - 16,808 square kilometers.

Of course, the main attraction is the world's largest palace complex, which is called the Purple Forbidden City. The capital of China is an ancient city. Therefore, there are many amazing places to visit.

4. "Awakened" Brisbane

This Australian city covers 15,800 km². Brisbane is slowly becoming one of the best living and tourism destinations in Australia. There are as many skyscrapers as in New York.

And in terms of natural beauty, national parks and "living" attractions, it surpasses many cities in the world.

Relatively recently, it was a boring and "sleepy" town. Now, to get around all the remarkable places, it is worth getting the recently published City Guide.

5. "Brocade City" Jincheng

Again - the Chinese city of Chengdu, which has grown by 14,400 km². The province of Sichuan became the capital as early as the seventeenth century.

Although the main city river Fuhe, the more famous and romantic "Brocade River" - Jinjiang flows close to the center. There are many teahouses along its picturesque promenades where you can relax and enjoy a traditional Chinese drink.

Chengdu's "business cards" are giant pandas, the famous culinary school and brocade fabrics. But this is a small part of the collection of attractions that make the city attractive to tourists.

When choosing a tour to the DPRK, it is worth worrying about a tour of this city.

The second largest on the Australian continent - 12,400 km². At the same time, the capital of the country. It is unique in that in 1788 it became the first European settlement on an unexplored continent. Due to the large number of emigrants, the culture, traditions, culinary arts of the city are multinational.

7. African city of Asmara

On the opposite side of the planet, almost the same area - 12,158 km² - is occupied by Asmara. By the number of inhabitants, the city is small - less than seven hundred thousand.

What will be interesting for travelers there?

1. First is Africa;
2. mountainous climate;
3. beautiful landscapes;
4. National Museum and Opera;
5. Cathedral with a bell tower, 52 meters high, built by the architect Scavanini….

There is a lot to see in this city. And you can relax in a cozy restaurant or cafe. Drink coffee, taste local dishes.

Asmara is called the safest tourist destination on the Black Continent.

On an area of ​​11,700 square meters, ancient traditional crafts, ancient monuments, modern technological enterprises and the Chinese "Silicon Valley", where the Tianhe-1 supercomputer has been operating since 2011, "coexist". In May 2018, the world was presented with a new development, which has no analogues in the world - "Tianhe-3".

Tianjin's museums are considered the best in China, and the Ferris Wheel is the largest. Tourists are especially fond of the city's Water Park of three lakes, on which there are nine islands. The cleanliness of city streets is striking.

9. Melbourne is the world's southernmost metropolis

In Australia, this city is considered the cultural and sports capital. He is also the capital of the state of Victoria. Covers an area of ​​9,990 km².

In 2018, Melbourne was ranked # 1 in The Economist's Best City to Live by:

• security level;
• quality of health care;
• ecological state;
• variety of cultural recreation;
• infrastructure development.

10. Kinshasa - former Leopoldville

Capital of Congo. The area is 25 km² less than in Melbourne (9,965 km²). Let's clarify - we are talking about the Democratic Republic of the Congo (there is also just the Republic of the Congo with the capital Brazzaville).

When traveling in Africa, one should always take into account its "contrasts". Kinshasa is no exception. The western areas of the city (Kimbansek, Masina, Limet) are best avoided.

But the city center is a modern metropolis, which is divided into three parts. In the old quarter of Quintambo you can forget that this is Africa. Everything there is "buried in greenery", beautiful parks and gardens.

Gombe is also considered safe. Those who work in the area are called "enlightened" ("evolve"). One of the specializations is diamond trading.

Once the principle worked - the larger the city, the more citizens live there. Now these figures are not the same, with one exception.

The largest cities in the world by population (top 10)

China ranks first in the world not only in terms of the total population. In the ranking of the "most-most" cities "the first place also belongs to this country. So we start our rating review with China again.

1.Chongqing

The city is in the first place, both in terms of area and population.

Most of all citizens live in this city - 30,751,600 people.

The Pakistani city of Karachi has a population of 24.3 million. It is for this reason that it ranks second.

Since the urban area is not very large - three and a half thousand square kilometers, the city is not in last place in terms of density. Until 1958, Karachi was the capital of an independent state.

Now it is simply the largest metropolis of Pakistan, which has become a small fishing village in less than two hundred years. Due to overcrowding, the city's infrastructure is overloaded. Many of the arriving emigrants are forced to settle in Katchi-Abadi. This is the name of the local slums, where there are no communications and water.

Not very comfortable for tourists. It is considered the center of the international drug trade.

Agglomerate with over 24 million inhabitants. One of the largest and most multinational cities in the DPRK. It surprisingly combines the charm of the East and the chic of old Europe.

4. Capital of China Beijing

It only ranks fourth in the world in terms of population. A total of 21,705,000 people, which is one and a half times less than in Chongqing.

The capital of Delhi is located in the north of India. The second largest city in the country, but the first by the number of inhabitants - about 18 million people.

To see the sights of Delhi without missing anything, it is better to book an excursion. The New and Old Towns are in sharp contrast to each other.

You will not immediately believe that all this is one city:

• modern skyscrapers;
• The Lotus Temple, built at the end of the twentieth century;
• the Connaught Square commercial center;
• Jantar Mantar;
• old streets;
• dirty neighborhoods

The city with a population of 15,469,500 people is in sixth place on this list. And in China - the fifth in terms of the number of inhabitants.

Another place in the Top 10 is occupied by a Chinese city. In Guangzhou, the population is slightly less - 14,043,500.

The city also belongs to one of the largest agglomerations in terms of population. The capital of Japan is home to 13.7 million people. But there are two more Tokyo:

Greater Tokyo is an expanded version of the capital. It includes the capital itself and the Tokyo Prefecture. "Tokyo metropolitan area", consisting of the Greater Tokyo and more than eighty other cities. More often this option is called the Keihin agglomeration (more than 38 million people).

Tours in Tokyo begin at the Imperial Palace. And further - from old two-storey houses among greenery to skyscrapers, urban landscapes, neon signs, multi-storey highways ... Then - again antiquity, temples, nature.

We will not even say that Tokyo is the capital of nano-technologies.

It is better to remember that recently this city has also become the "new capital of fashion." The main trendy area is Harajuku.

Tourists need to be careful about this place. Along with simply fashionable things, you can not restrain yourself and buy something of the "crazy" things, like:

• striped socks with split toes;
• outfit in the style of "Lolita";
• T-shirts with an unidentified acid-colored monster ...

Moscow is also a metropolis. The multi-ethnic population - 12,506,468 people - puts her in ninth place in this ranking.

"Visiting card" - Red Square with the Kremlin, State Historical Museum and St. Basil's Cathedral located there. This is one of the most beautiful capitals on the planet.

10. Bombay

Bombay will be the last on the list. Since 1995, it has received a new name - Mumbai. "Clean" urban population - 12 442 373 people. It is the capital of the state with the amazing name of Maharashtra.

Mumbai is a city of splendor and grandeur ... poverty and garbage ... religious problems and terrible ecology .... There are incredibly mixed cultures, architectural styles. On the one hand, it is the business and financial capital of India. On the other hand, there are ethnic strife.

In the center of Bombay is the Gateway to India - the symbol of the country. And the second gate is the railway station, which is the most beautiful architectural monument of the time of Queen Victoria.

There will be no calm and quiet rest in this city. But when traveling in India, it is a must-see.

Pivot table - the largest cities in the world by area and population

For ease of perception, all information from the article is arranged in one table below. By clicking on the column heading, the data can be sorted both by the city's position in the rating and by its name.

Ranking place	The largest cities by area	The largest cities by population
1	Chongqing - 82,500 km²	Chongqing - 30.75 million
2	Hangzhou - 16,840 km²	Karachi - 24.3 million
3	Beijing - 16,808 km²	Shanghai - 24 million
4	Brisbane - 15,800 km²	Beijing - 21.7 million
5	Jincheng - 14,400 km²	Delhi - 18 million
6	Sydney - 12,400 km²	Tianjin - 15.47 million people
7	Asmara - 12,158 km²	Guangzhou - 14.04 million
8	Tianjin - 11,700 km²	Tokyo - 13.7 million
9	Melbourne - 9,990 km²	Moscow - 12.51 million people
10	Kinshasa - 9 965 km²

The study of cities must be called an interesting occupation. Each of them has its own history. In addition, they are all so different: resort areas, industrial giants, provincial small towns and so on. However, among them there are also the largest cities on the planet.

The largest city in terms of area is Beijing. He is one of the most significant settlements in China. The giant metropolis has a total area of ​​16,801 square kilometers. The city is home to about 22 million people. Despite this, Beijing in itself harmoniously combines modernity and antiquity. For three millennia, it was the seat of Chinese rulers. And today you can see ancient monuments in the center of the city, which are carefully preserved. The most interesting place can be called the former residence of the emperors of China - the Forbidden City.

Another Chinese metropolis is in our top. Its area is 7434.4 square kilometers. So he is rightfully placed in second place. The political, industrial and cultural center of the southern regions of China is very popular. About 21 million people live here. Guangzhou is ready to boast a thousand-year history. In Europe, a little earlier, the city was known as Canton. It was from here that the sea part of the Great Silk Road started. Since ancient times, the city has given shelter to all opposition members of the government.

The well-known city ranks third in the list of the largest cities. Its area is 6340 square kilometers. Shanghai is home to about 24 million people. Shanghai is considered to be one of the most unusual cities in China. In other words, it reflects a modern country - forward-looking, energetic and fast in development. Shanghai has also become one of the largest shopping centers in the world.

The fourth stage of the rating was given to a large metropolis of the world - Brasilia. The city occupies 5802 square kilometers in its territory. But as for the status of the capital of the Republic of Brazil, the city received it relatively recently - in 1960. The construction of the metropolis was counted on with such a plan in order to attract the population to sparsely populated areas, and then develop them. Therefore, Brasilia is located far from the main political and economic centers of the country.

The center of industry and trade, as well as the main port of Turkey - Istanbul. Its area is 5343 square kilometers. Therefore, he is on the 5th place in the rating. Istanbul is located in a picturesque place - on the shores of the Bosphorus. It should be called a unique city, which at one time was the capital of 4 great empires and located immediately in Europe and Asia. In the city, tourists will see a bunch of wonderful monuments of antiquity: the majestic Blue Mosque, the millennial St. Sophia Cathedral, the chic Dolmabahce Palace. The metropolis will amaze you with the abundance of various museums.

Unfortunately, the capital of Russia takes only 6th place in the ranking of the largest cities. It is considered the second largest city in Europe after Istanbul. The area of ​​Moscow is 4662 square kilometers. She is not only a financial and political center, but also a cultural one. Many tourists come here every year.

The port city in Pakistan has an area of ​​3530 square kilometers. It is the first capital of the country and the main financial, industrial and trade center. Karachi was a small fishing village in the early 18th century. And when British troops captured it, the village quickly became a major port city. From that moment on, he returned and played an increasing role in the country's economy. Due to the influx of emigrants in our time, overpopulation of Karachi has become the most important problem.

Tokyo, not surprisingly, is on the 8th line of the rating. Its territory is 2189 square kilometers. The capital of Japan has always been the most important cultural, political and economic center. The Land of the Rising Sun has always been proud of its metropolis. The city is very beautiful. Old and modern are closely intertwined. Close to ultra-modern and high-rise buildings, you can see tiny houses in narrow streets. The impression is that they have left the engravings. Despite a massive earthquake in 1923 and damage after World War II, Tokyo never ceases to be exciting.

Sydney's area is 2037 square kilometers. In many ratings, the city occupies a leading position as the largest metropolis. This is due to the fact that the Australian Bureau of Statistics includes nearby national parks and the Blue Mountains in the city.

The leading financial, economic and political center closes our rating. London's area is 1580 square kilometers. Tourists love this place very much, especially Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and other attractions.

Video: Top 10 Largest Cities in the World by Area

Recently, the planet's overpopulation has reached its maximum. Never before have so many people lived on Earth. Every year more and more cities are being built, which are expanding to the sides and even upward.

What places on the planet have the most inhabitants? This collection contains the 10 largest cities in the world!

10 Tianjin 13.2 million

This city is located in North China and has a population of over 13.2 million. The urban agglomeration of Tianjin is the third largest in the PRC. The city is the center of light and heavy industry, as well as an important element of the Chinese economy.

9 Tokyo 13.7 million

This city is the heart of Japan, its capital, political, economic, cultural and industrial center. Officially, Tokyo has the status of one of the prefectures of the country with a population of 13.7 million. Also in Tokyo is the government of Japan and the old imperial palace.

8 Lagos 13.7 million

This city is located in Nigeria and is the largest not only in the country, but throughout Africa. At the same time, only 13.7 million people live in the city itself, and another 21.3 million people live in the urban agglomeration.

This area was discovered in the 15th century, and then for several centuries it was the center of the slave trade. Now Lagos is one of the most developed cities in Nigeria.

7 Guangzhou 14 million

This city is the third largest city in China. Guangzhou used to be called Canton and to this day is the capital of Guangdong province.

The history of this city is more than 2 thousand years old, it is included in 24 ancient Chinese cities with a rich history. Currently, more than 14 million people live in Guangzhou.

6 Istanbul 15 million

This largest city in Turkey has an ancient history. It used to be named Byzantium and Constantinople and has always been the center of this territory, no matter who it belongs to.

Istanbul was the capital of four ancient empires and to this day is the most important city in Turkey. At the moment, more than 15 million people live in Istanbul.

5 Mumbai 15.4 million

This city in western India is the largest in the country. Previously, Mumbai was called Bombay, so its inhabitants are still called Bombay. It is curious that Mumbai, together with the cities around it, forms an urban agglomeration of 28.8 million people. The city itself is home to 15.4 million people of India.

4 Beijing 21.7 million

The third largest city in China is its capital. Beijing, which is located in the central part of the country, is home to more than 21.7 million people.

This area was also inhabited by people several millennia ago, and the city of Beijing itself was the largest city in the world from the 15th to the early 19th centuries. Now it is the cultural and political center of the country, as well as the most important transport hub in China.

3 Karachi 23.5 million

Surprisingly, the third place in terms of population is the city of Karachi. It is located in the south of Pakistan and is the largest city in the country. It is hard to believe that back in the early 18th century it was a small fishing village, but now it has 23.5 million people.1 Chongqing 30.7 million

And the title of the largest city in the world went to the Chinese Chongqing. More than 30.7 million people live on its territory (the largest in China). However, most of the population lives outside the urbanized area of ​​the city.

Chongqing was founded over 3 thousand years ago and has since become a very developed city. It contains the financial, cultural, political and transport centers of the PRC.

All these cities are the largest world centers and play an important role in the development of the world.