The largest cities in the world by population and territory. The largest city in the world The five largest cities in the world

Did you know that the largest city in the world lives three times more people than Moscow, and the city itself is 32 times larger in area than Moscow? Read below.

No. 10. Wuhan (China) - 8,494 km²

Wuhan stands at the confluence of the Yangtze and Han rivers. The territory of the Wuhan metropolis consists of 3 parts - Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang, which together are called the “Wuhan Tricity”. These three parts stand opposite each other on different banks of the rivers, they are connected by bridges. The population of Wuhan is 10,220,000 people.

The history of the city goes back 3000 years, when an important trading port was formed on the site of the future Wuhan. There are 8 national and 14 public colleges and universities in Wuhan.

No. 9. Kinshasa (Congo) - 9,965 km²

Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, located on the Congo River. Until 1966, Kinshasa was called Leopoldville. The population of the city is 10,125,000 people.
Kinshasa is the second most populous city in Africa, after Lagos.

No. 8. Melbourne (Australia) - 9,990 km²

Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia and the capital of the state of Victoria. The metropolitan area has a population of approximately 4,529,500. Melbourne is the southernmost millionaire city in the world.

Melbourne is one of the main commercial, industrial and cultural centers of Australia. Melbourne is also often referred to as the country's "sports and cultural capital".

The city is famous for its architecture and combination of Victorian and modern styles, parks and gardens. In 2016, The Economist magazine named Melbourne, for the sixth time in a row, the most comfortable city on the planet to live based on a combination of characteristics.

Melbourne was founded in 1835 as an agricultural settlement on the banks of the Yarra River.

No. 7. Tianjin (China) - 11,760 km²

Tianjin is located in northern China along the Bohai Bay. The population of the city is 15,469,500 people. The majority of the population is Han, but representatives of small ethnic groups also live. These are mainly: Hui, Koreans, Manchus and Mongols.

In the 20th century, Tianjin became the locomotive of Chinese industrialization, the largest center of heavy and light industry.

No. 6. Sydney (Australia) - 12,144 km²

Sydney is Australia's largest city, with a population of 4,840,600 people. Sydney is the capital of the state of New South Wales.

Sydney was founded in 1788 by Arthur Phillip, who arrived here at the head of the First Fleet. Sydney is the first site of colonial European settlement in Australia. The city was named after Lord Sydney, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies.

The city is famous for its opera house, Harbor Bridge and beaches. Residential areas of greater Sydney are surrounded by national parks. The coastline is rich in bays, coves, beaches and islands.

Sydney is one of the most multicultural and multicultural cities in the world. Sydney ranks first in Australia and 66th in the world in terms of cost of living.

No. 5. Chengdu (China) - 12,390 km²

Chengdu is a city-subprovince in southwestern China, in the valley of the Minjiang River, the administrative center of Sichuan Province. Population - 14,427,500 people.

The emblem of the city is the ancient golden disk “Birds of the Golden Sun,” which was found in 2001 during excavations of the Jinsha culture within the city.

Chengdu is a major center of economics, trade, finance, science and technology, as well as an important center of transport and communications. Chengdu has become the main center of new urbanization in China.

No. 4. Brisbane (Australia) - 15,826 km²

Brisbane is a city in Australia, Queensland. The population of the city is 2,274,560 people.
The city is located in eastern Australia, on the banks of the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay of the Pacific Ocean. It is included in the top hundred global cities in the world.

Founded in 1825, old name - Edenglassie. Since 1859 it has been the capital of Queensland.

No. 3. Beijing (China) - 16,801 km²

Beijing is the capital of China. It is the largest railway and road junction and one of the main air hubs in the country. Beijing is the political, educational and cultural center of the People's Republic of China.

Beijing is one of the four ancient capitals of China. In 2008, the Summer Olympic Games were held in Beijing. The city will host the Winter Olympic Games in 2022.
The population of the city is 21,705,000 people.

No. 2. Hangzhou (China) - 16,840 km²

Hangzhou is a sub-city city, the capital of Zhejiang Province, located 180 km southwest of Shanghai. The population of the city is 9,018,500 people.

The former name of Hangzhou is Lin'an, in the pre-Mongol era it was the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty and was the most populated city in the then world. Now Hangzhou is famous for its tea plantations and natural beauty. The most famous place is Lake Xihu.

No. 1. Chongqing (China) - 82,400 km²

Chongqing is the largest by area of the four Chinese cities under central jurisdiction. The population of the city is 30,165,500 people.

Chongqing arose more than 3 thousand years ago. The city was the capital of the Ba kingdom and was called Jiangzhou.

Now Chongqing is one of the largest commercial centers in China. Most of the city's economy is built on industry. Main industries: chemical, mechanical engineering and metallurgical. Chongqing is also China's largest automobile manufacturing base. There are 5 automobile production factories and more than 400 automobile parts factories here.

Moscow - 2561 km2
St. Petersburg - 1439 km2
Ekaterinburg - 468 km2
Kazan - 425 km2
Novosibirsk - 505 km2
Volgograd - 565 km2

In the world today there are more than 2.6 million cities, the population of which can amount to tens of millions of inhabitants, or may not exceed twenty citizens. In the world ranking of the most populated cities, Russia is in eleventh place with 12.3 million people living in Moscow. The first ten places were distributed among such countries as China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Turkey, Japan.

1. Chongqing

Chongqing takes first place in the ranking of the largest cities by population in the world, with 53.2 million people and an area of 82.4 thousand km 2. The settlement is located in China, in terms of the number of inhabitants and territory, significantly ahead of all other cities, at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialingjiang rivers; in total, about eighty rivers flow through the city and its suburbs. The city is 470 km long and 450 km wide. The urbanized area of Chongqing occupies 1,473 km 2 . The city consists of 26 districts, 8 counties and 4 autonomous okrugs.

2. Shanghai

The second largest city in terms of population is also occupied by a Chinese city, which is Shanghai. 24.152 million people live on an area of 6.34 thousand km2. Located in the eastern part of the country in the Yangtze River Delta, the city is a major seaport and the most important cultural and financial center of the state. Shanghai is divided into 17 districts, to the east of the city is the East China Sea. The economic development of this locality is carried out according to a unique system, including several designated growth zones corresponding to certain areas of industry, trade or science.

3. Karachi

The third position in the ranking of the largest cities is occupied by Karachi, a port city in Pakistan with a population of 23.5 million people. It is an important banking and industrial center in the country, significantly influencing the economic development of the state. The area of the city occupies 3530 km2. Karachi is the largest educational center in South Asia. The settlement is located on the coast of the Indian Ocean, in particular the Arabian Sea. The city belongs to the Sindh province and has a three-tier division principle; it includes 18 tehsils.

4. Beijing

The capital of China, Beijing, with a population of 21.7 million people, ranks fourth in the world in terms of population. The area of the territories is estimated at 16.8 thousand km 2. For China, the city has the most important political, cultural, and transport significance. The administrative division includes 14 regions and 2 counties. Beijing's architecture has a bizarre mixture of styles, including a fusion of 50s buildings with the latest skyscrapers with a futuristic appearance. The city's rich history has made it a global tourist destination with an ever-increasing flow of foreign tourists.

5. Delhi

Located in northern India on the Jumna River, the city of Delhi with a population of 16.3 million people occupies fifth position in the ranking. The settlement is distinguished by its multinational composition and mixture of cultural traditions. The city's economy is entirely dependent on the activities of various ethnic groups. Delhi is home to more than 60,000 monuments of global significance. The area of the city occupies 1483 km 2, the territory is divided into three city corporations. Delhi has nine districts, each comprising three districts. The city is a National Capital Region.

6. Lagos

Nigeria's most populous city, Lagos is the sixth most populous city in the world. With 15.1 million citizens, the settlement is recognized as the largest in Africa. Until 1991, the city with an area of 999.5 km2 was the capital of Nigeria. Lagos has a complex location, occupying the territory of islands and the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The city includes 16 local government areas, almost entirely occupying the state of the same name. Almost 50 percent of Nigeria's industry is located in this locality, and the city is recognized as the center of the national film industry.

7. Istanbul

Istanbul ranks seventh in the world in terms of population, with a population of 13.8 million people. An important cultural and industrial center of Turkey, the country's major port is located on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait. The area of the settlement occupies an area of 5343 km 2 . The city is located in Europe and Asia, in the former there are two urban districts, in the latter there are 35 districts. Most of the residents profess Islam, while the townspeople are loyal to foreign citizens who unintentionally violate religious traditions.

8. Tokyo

In eighth place in the ranking of large cities in the world is Tokyo with 13.3 million inhabitants. The capital of Japan has an area of 2,188 km 2 and is located on the island of Honshu on the Pacific coast. The city is a prefecture of the country and has the most important economic, cultural and financial significance for the state. Tokyo ranks among the world's leading cities in terms of urban economic growth. The city includes 23 special districts, 26 cities, 1 county and 4 districts. Some of Tokyo's administrative units are located on other islands.

9. Guangzhou

Located in the south of China, the city of Guangzhou and the administrative center of Guangdong province with a population of 13 million people occupies an area of 7434 km 2. The settlement is a major commercial and industrial center, a seaport of the South China Sea, and a city with more than 2000 years of history. Administratively, Guangzhou is divided into ten districts and two counties. The tourism industry has a significant impact on the economic development of the city; the settlement is known beyond the borders of China and is popular among foreign guests.

10. Mumbai

The tenth place in the ranking of the largest cities is occupied by Mumbai. The settlement, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, has a population of 12.4 million people. The area of the territories exceeds 600 km 2 . Mumbai is located in the western part of India and is an important international transport center and major seaport. In the life of the state, a settlement plays a decisive cultural and economic role. Mumbai consists of two parts, the city itself and the suburbs, which are administratively divided into 23 districts.

It is no secret that most people prefer to live in cities where all the benefits of civilization are available. Due to the fact that the number of people wishing to become city dwellers is increasing every day, settlements are gradually increasing in size, turning into megacities. What are the largest cities in the world, how many inhabitants they have, and what area they occupy - informative information in our article.

The last census in each country was carried out at different times, and constant migration makes calculations much more difficult. Therefore, some of the data on which the rating is based may no longer be relevant. But still, the list of the largest megacities looks something like this.

For several years, Chinese Shanghai has been in honorable first place among the most populated cities on the planet. Here, according to the census, 24 ml live permanently. 150 thousand people. In order to comfortably accommodate all residents, the metropolis is constantly growing, and most of all in height. Therefore, Shanghai can boast of the largest skyscrapers. At the same time, many architectural landmarks have been preserved here, some of which date back up to seven hundred years.
The city of Karachi, which is located in the south of Pakistan, has a population of 23 million 200 thousand inhabitants. Small in age (about 200 years), this metropolis is actively growing, increasing its area and population. A special feature of the city is the diversity of nationalities that permanently inhabit it. The mixture of cultures, customs and social strata gives the metropolis a special flavor.
The third place in the ranking is occupied by Beijing, the capital of the Celestial Empire. The population of the metropolis is 21 million 710 thousand people. This is the most ancient city in the TOP 5, because it was founded back in the distant 5th century BC. Today it is a real tourist mecca; people from all over the world come here to see the emperor’s palace and other architectural masterpieces with their own eyes. At the same time, the city is actively developing; there is a skyscraper with 106 (!) floors.
The Indian capital of Delhi boasts a population of 18 million 150 thousand. This is the most contrasting city in the ranking. After all, in it you can see both breathtaking high-rise buildings in fashionable areas and miserable slums, where several families are crammed into one hut without any amenities. In addition, there are many ancient temples, castles and fortresses left in the city, striking in their splendor.
Turkish Istanbul, according to the end of 2017, has a population of 15 million 500 thousand people. This is the largest city in Europe. Moreover, the metropolis is developing rapidly, and the number of residents increases by approximately 300 thousand every year. Istanbul has a good location on the banks of the Bosphorus, which contributes to its development and prosperity.

Let's take a brief look at the next five largest cities in the world by population.

Tianjin is a large Chinese metropolis. It is home to 15 million 470 thousand people. It began its development from a small village, and then became a large port city.
The Japanese capital Tokyo has 13 million 743 thousand inhabitants. The city is actively developing, citizens have a high standard of living, thanks to which more and more people are flocking to the metropolis.
The largest city in Nigeria, Lagos, accommodates 13 million 120 thousand inhabitants in its area. Moreover, their density is quite high: there are 17 thousand people per square kilometer. The city is divided into slums and areas with huge skyscrapers. It is the largest metropolis in Africa.
Guangzhou is another city in China. 13 million 90 thousand people live here. The metropolis is called the center of world trade. It attracts tourists with ancient historical monuments that coexist peacefully with modern urban structures.
Indian Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is the leader among megacities in terms of population density. After all, 12 and a half million people live on an area of 600 square kilometers. This city became famous thanks to a number of film studios, united under the name Bollywood. All popular Indian films are shot here.

Top 10 largest settlements by area

Chongqing is the largest city in the world by area. It is located in China, its length is 82 thousand 400 square kilometers.
The Chinese metropolis of Hangzhou has an area of 16 thousand 840 km2.
The capital of the Celestial Empire, Beijing, is located on 16 thousand 801 km2.
Brisbane, Australia, has an area of 15,826 km2.
The city of Chengdu (China) occupies 13 thousand 390 km2.
Sydney, Australia, covers an area of 12,144 km2.
The metropolis of Tianjin (China) has an area of 11,760 km2.
Melbourne (Australia) is spread over 9 thousand 990 km2.
The capital of Congo, Kinshasa, has an area of 9,965 km2.
The Chinese city of Wuhan has an area of 8,494 km2.

Rating of the largest ghost towns in the world

The Chinese city of Ordos began to be built in 2003, it was planned that about a million people would live there. Until 2010, the metropolis expanded over an area of 355 square kilometers. But the cost of housing did not allow residents to purchase real estate, as a result of which the houses remained half empty. Today the number of residents barely reaches 50 thousand.
The resort town of San Zhi in Taiwan is dead, no one lived in it at all. According to the project, ultra-modern houses in the shape of UFO saucers were built here. It was hoped that rich people would relax there, tourists would come to look at the original architecture and have fun in numerous complexes. But during the crisis, funding for the project stopped, and the city was not popular. It became a wasteland.
On the island of Cyprus there is Famagusta - an abandoned city. Previously, it was a large trade and economic center. But it was left without inhabitants due to the war between Turkey and Greece. Countries cannot agree on who should own the territory. Therefore, the city became a kind of border, fenced with barbed wire.
American Detroit until recently was a thriving city. Today, only a few thousand inhabitants remain. More and more people are leaving the city due to poor environmental conditions. The reason for this is the construction of large industrial automobile enterprises. Today the city has a high crime rate, which also does not contribute to comfortable living and pushes residents to move.
Russian Neftegorsk became uninhabited after an earthquake in 1995. Powerful tremors left more than 2 thousand residents alive and destroyed almost all buildings. There was no point in rebuilding the city, so only ruins remained in its place.
The Japanese city of Namie was the victim of a huge disaster. In 2013, the Fukushima nuclear power plant exploded, after which all residents were evacuated. Today, it is prohibited to enter Namie territory as radiation levels remain dangerous.
The city of Centralia in the USA became home to anthracite miners, who came here from all over America and remained to live even after the closure of the mines. But the decision of the city authorities to burn the garbage was disastrous for the entire city. In 1962, coal deposits in the ground began to smolder due to fire, and carbon monoxide emissions began to occur. A decision was made to evacuate the population. According to official data, 10 people live there today.

Delhi (India) - 18 million 150 thousand;
Tokyo (Japan) - 13 million 742 thousand;
Moscow (Russia) - 12 million 500 thousand;
Seoul (South Korea) - 10 million 422 thousand;
Lima (Peru) - 10 million 251 thousand;
Jakarta (Indonesia) - 9 million 608 thousand;
Mexico City (Mexico) - 9 million 100 thousand;
Cairo (Egypt) - 9 million 153 thousand;
London (UK) - 8 million 539 thousand;
Bangkok (Thailand) - 8 million 281 thousand;
Bogota (Colombia) - 8 million 81 thousand;
Singapore (Singapore) - 5 million 889 thousand;
Santiago de Chile (Chile) - 5 million 150 thousand;
Cape Town (South Africa) - 3 million 740 thousand;
Berlin (Germany) - 3 million 611 thousand;
Nairobi (Kenya) - 3 million 240 thousand;
Madrid (Spain) - 3 million 166 thousand;
Athens (Greece) - 3 million 91 thousand;
Buenos Aires (Argentina) - 3 million 80 thousand.

Every country in the world has large and small, provincial and developed, tourist and unknown cities. They are all unique and beautiful in their own way. But what is the largest city in the world? What makes it special? Let's find out in the article.

Developed infrastructure, attractions, skyscrapers and shopping centers - this is what the largest cities in the world are famous for. These are the general characteristics of megacities. Of course, each of them has its own secrets and interesting stories.

Here is a list of the largest cities in the world by area:

Ordos (86,752 km²)

The mysterious city is located in the Inner Mongolia province, and was built by the Chinese authorities. The huge metropolis is rich in high-rise buildings, shopping centers, museums, and there is even a race track. The only thing Ordos lacks is population.

Buses without people walk along the deserted streets of the ghost town, and bicycles are available for rental on the sidewalks. Only there is no one to enjoy the benefits of civilization. Absurd? No, the decision of the local authorities.

About 20 years ago, the area was famous for coal mining, so officials invested in a large city of the future, designed for 1 million inhabitants. According to the plan, this is a new cultural and economic center. In reality, it is a desert metropolis where up to 100,000 people live.

People did not want to move to Ordos because of high property taxes. Therefore, the main population of the city is migrant builders and officials. There are municipal employees on the streets sweeping empty sidewalks. The urban planning disaster for the local authorities turned into good tourist attendance.

Chongqing (82,400 km²)

The largest city in the world is located in China. It is distinguished by its large population (about 32 million people) and ancient architecture. Chongqing was founded more than 3 thousand years ago. It’s amazing how a huge metropolis has grown from a village surrounded by a palisade.

Today Chongqing is a major commercial center in China. There are about four hundred factories here, aimed at producing car parts. The chemical and metallurgical industries are also developed. The city is a world leader in the production of medicines.

Chongqing is famous not only for its industry, but also for its architecture. The main asset is the Chaotianmen Arch Bridge with the longest span in the world. The Yangtze River flows through the city, across which there are 25 bridges.

The metropolis is developing very quickly. Old buildings are being actively demolished and new high-rises are being built. Multi-level overpasses entangled the city. The local population practically does not speak English, so a tourist without knowledge of Chinese will have a difficult time.

Mount Isa (43,310 km²)

The city is located in a semi-desert part of Australia. Despite its huge area, Mount Isa is located far from other populated areas. But this did not prevent the settlement - 21,570 people live here.

In 1923, gold prospector John Campbell explored the continent and discovered deposits of non-ferrous metals in rocky rocks near the Leichhardt River.

Soon people took over the wilderness. Mount Isa grew and became divided into two parts by the river. Residential buildings are located on the eastern bank, and industrial enterprises are located on the western bank.

In 1959, residents decided to glorify the city and organized a rodeo. Since then, the largest competitions in Australia have been held here, attracting athletes from all over the world.

Hangzhou (16,840 km²)

The Chinese city is also called heaven on earth. Despite the rapid development and population growth (8.7 million people), Hangzhou is surrounded by flowers and greenery. It is here that the Maritime Silk Road originates, and a silk museum has been operating near Yu Han Mountain since 1992.

The large religious center still harvests tea by hand and produces bamboo products. The pearl of the city is Lake Xihu, which has been a UNESCO heritage site since 2011. The reservoir is surrounded by magnificent scenery, museums and the famous Luheta Pagoda. In ancient times, bells rang here to warn the population of the approaching enemy.

The largest city in the world specializes in light industry. Hangzhou is also famous for the Lingyin Soul Refuge Temple. The Buddhist monastery is famous for its rock reliefs and grottoes. Over the past 1600 years it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times.

Hangzhou is a unique combination of a modern metropolis, ancient architecture, and magnificent nature. Residents honor and observe rituals and traditions, and also value manual labor.

Beijing (16,808 km²)

The gigantic capital of China has 21,705 million inhabitants. The ancient city was burned by Genghis Khan in the 13th century and rebuilt again 43 years later. Now this bustling metropolis is crowded with cars and people. It seems that the Chinese never sleep. This is the special charm of Beijing.

The big city of the world is a major railway and road junction of the country. In 2008, local authorities hosted the $44 billion Olympic Games. In 2022, Beijing will again host the Winter Olympics.

The city has the largest square in the world, Tiananmen, whose size is 440 thousand m². The Chinese national flag is raised here every day. Also in Beijing is the emperor's palace, the Forbidden City. On its territory there are 980 buildings containing 9999 rooms.

In addition to its interesting architecture, the city is known for its high degree of air pollution. The norm was exceeded five times. This is due to emissions from factories and vehicles, and traffic is often paralyzed by sandstorms.

Brisbane (15,826 km²)

In Australia, the sunny city of Brisbane is located - the capital of the state of Queensland. The obvious advantage of the central part of the state is the absence of heavy industry. Therefore, the metropolis has clean air.

The excellent climate and abundance of vegetation attract more and more tourists to Brisbane, who stay here to live. Therefore, the city ranks second in Australia in terms of population growth. The population is more than 2 million people and increases by 5.11% every year.

Brisbane, and formerly Edenglassie, was founded in 1824 as a penal colony. Until 1842 the area was closed to settlement. Australians often call the city a large village, since even in the center most buildings are no higher than two floors, and the streets abound with palm trees, eucalyptus, and mango trees.

The main developing industries are agriculture, tourism, and hotel business. Just a paradise for migrants from Europe, India and China.

Chengdu (12,390 km²)

The ancient Chinese city was founded back in 311 BC. e. Now the population is 11.5 million people. Chengdu is an important economic, commercial and cultural center of Western China.

Another largest city in the world is the only place where pandas breed. There are nurseries, research centers and panda museums here, which are open to tourists.

The Chengdu market sells a huge number of natural medicines: herbs, roots, infusions and various animal parts. The exotic place will shock visitors.

The city also ranks second in the number of skyscrapers in China, although old buildings with traditional architecture have also been preserved.

Sydney (12,144 km²)

An amazing place where high-rise buildings coexist with the most beautiful beaches in the world. It all started in 1788, when European navigator Arthur Phillip landed on the island’s shores. The settlement was built around the small Sydney Cove. Today it is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Australia with a population of 5.13 million people.

Sydney ranks fifth on the list of the most expensive cities in the world. Central NSW is also famous for its rum revolution. In 1808, Governor William Bligh banned the payment of alcoholic beverages to workers, which led to a riot and the removal of the official from office.

Sydney is home to the most famous building in the world - the Opera House, which appears on postcards and is a UNESCO heritage site. Danish architect Jorn Utzon won the right to construct the building from 232 competitors. Instead of the planned $7 million, construction took $102 million and 14 years.

Tianjin (11,760 km²)

Not far from Beijing is the third most populous city in China, Tianjin. Its territory is home to 14.4 million people, including Koreans, Manchus and Mongols.

The big city is actively developing light and heavy industry. In Tianjin, life flows more calmly and measuredly than in Beijing, and each district is imbued with a special charm. The pearl of the city is the China Porcelain House.

Tianjin is also famous for its huge zoo, which includes a water park and other entertainment. The complex is located in the southern part of the city and contains animals from all over the world.

On the streets of Tanjin you can often see men playing cards and mahjong. In the evenings, older women turn on music and go out to dance. The population lives for its own pleasure and enjoys every day.

Melbourne (9,990 km²)

The sporting and cultural capital of Australia is considered the southern millionaire city. 4.5 million people live here. It is the main commercial and industrial artery of the country. According to The Economist magazine, Melbourne is the best place to live.

This is one of the largest cities in the world, where free and liberated people live. One of the popular places in Melbourne is Sand Kild Beach. There are cafes, pubs, and restaurants along the coastline. The place is also popular among fans of surfing and swimming.

Shopaholics will be surprised and delighted by the Queen Victoria Market - the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Here you can find everything from food to souvenirs, jewelry and antiques. Cooking master classes and gastro tours are also often held here.

Big cities around the world are distinguished by their culture and unique flavor. Most of them were founded a long time ago, so they have an interesting history of development. Be sure to visit the world's megacities and immerse yourself in an exotic paradise.

More than 50% of the world's population are urban residents. Based on the fact that there are 7 billion people on the planet, there are approximately 50 people for every square kilometer of the earth's surface. However, there are places where the density of people is amazing. For example, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro has a density of 48 thousand people per square meter. km.

Largest cities in the world by population

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.

Construction of a new Istanbul airport is now in full swing, which will be able to accommodate 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 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, it 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 the births of boys and girls under 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 the locals, “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 city residents 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.

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