More than 50% of the world's population are urban residents. Based on the fact that 7 billion people live on the planet, approximately 50 people per square kilometer of the earth's surface. However, there are places where the grouping of people is amazing. For example, the largest favela in Rio de Janeiro, has a density of 48 thousand people per square. 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 data on the number of citizens is taken from Wikipedia, Worldatlas and other open sources and is relevant for 2017.
10. Guangzhou, China
Population: 13.5 million
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 due to foreign emigrants, as well as illegal migrants from the countries of the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. Due to this the city has earned a reputation as "the capital of the Third World."
9. Tokyo, Japan
Population: 13.7 million
The capital of Japan is known for its modern design, dedication to advanced technology and crowded streets. In 2010, the demographic boom in Tokyo began and for the first time in its history, the population exceeded 13 million people. The city authorities explained the population growth by the intensive construction of condominiums and the increase in the number of foreigners.
8. Istanbul, Turkey
Population: 14.8 million
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 in full swing is the construction of a new airport in Istanbul, which will be able to receive 150 million passengers a year. It should become the largest airport in the world. The opening of a new air harbor is scheduled for 2018. After that, the old Ataturk airport will be closed.
7. Lagos, Nigeria
Population:. 15.1 million people
The commercial center of his country and one of the fastest growing African cities. And Lagos is famous for being the center of Nollywood (the Nigerian film industry).
6. Tianjin, China
Population: 15.4 million
Tianjin is located in the northern coastal zone of China, and it is home to more than 15 million inhabitants.
It is curious that until 1919 there was a post office in Russia in this port Chinese city. Rather, the Russian Empire.
5. Delhi, India
Population: 16.7 million
Delhi is an ancient city located in the north of India. According to the UN forecast, by 2030 the population of Delhi will grow by almost 10 million people.
4. Beijing, China
Population:. 21.5 million people
By 2030, the population of the Chinese capital can reach 27 million people. And as the cultural center of China, Beijing boasts seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In addition, Beijing established itself as an industrial sector after the communist revolution of 1949. Automobiles, textiles, aerospace technology and semiconductors - this is not a complete list of products that are produced in this city.
3. Karachi, Pakistan
Population: 23.5 million
It is hard to imagine that once this multi-million 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 the fame of a center of higher education in South Asia and the Muslim world.
2. Shanghai, China
Population: 24.2 million
As China's second most populous city, Shanghai has a reputation for being a crowded metropolis. This city is not only a popular tourist destination, but also the place where the busiest container port in the world is built. Also in Shanghai is one of the highest skyscrapers in the world.
By 2050, the population of Shanghai is expected to reach 50 million, thanks to economic growth and rapid urbanization.
1. Chongqing, China
Population: 53.2 million
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 southwestern China.
Such a large number of residents is explained by 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, the most populated city in Russia. And taking into account the suburbs - 16 million.
As in the rest of China, there is a demographic problem in Chongqing. While labor is still fueled by economic growth, the effects of the “one family, one child” policy have had negative effects. Labor is declining, while the elderly are growing exponentially. According to one of the analysts, China may become the first large country to become old earlier than rich.
The largest city in the world in terms of population has a large gap between boys and girls under 20 years old, and this threatens problems in the future. For example, this can cause a drop in the birth rate and, consequently, a shortage of labor. But the majority of Chongqing residents are unlikely to face the fate of remaining an old maid with 40 cats.
The largest cities in the world by area
Many Russians answer 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 in terms of area (2 561 km2) and the population of a metropolis in Europe, it is inferior in size to foreign cities with a population of over one million.
We present to you the largest cities in the world if the territory controlled by the city administration is taken as the main parameter.
10. Kinshasa, Congo
Area: 9 965 km²
A large part (namely - 60%) of the capital of the Republic of Congo is occupied by sparsely populated rural areas. However, it is included in the administrative boundaries of the city. The crowded but small urban areas are located in the west of the province.
Kinshasa is among the cities with the largest number of 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.
9. Melbourne, Australia
Area: 9,990 km²
In Australia, one of the most urbanized countries in the world, 89.01% of the population lives in urban areas. 4.44 million people live in Melbourne, and by this indicator it is only slightly inferior to the seventh number 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 grew into modern noisy and bustling metropolitan areas.
8. Tianjin, China
Area: 11,943 km²
Tianjin - the "commercial gate" of Beijing - began to develop as a shopping center after the Grand Canal was built in the era of the Sui Dynasty.
The city grew especially 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.
And Rosneft and the China National Petroleum Corporation have agreed to build a refinery in Tianjin. The signing of the construction schedule became known back in 2014. The launch of the plant is scheduled for 2019.
7. Sydney, Australia
Area: 12,367 km²
A city of 4.84 million people expanded rapidly after the development of the Harbor Bridge. Its residential neighborhoods are surrounded by beautiful national parks. And the extremely rugged coastline there was a place for the many beaches, bays, coves and islands.
6. Chengdu, China
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 largest Buddha statue in the world. The height of the Big Buddha carved into the rock is 71 meters. According to local residents, "Gradually, the mountain becomes the Buddha, and the Buddha becomes the mountain."
5. Asmara, Eritrea
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 entered the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The name of the metropolis was previously pronounced as Asmara - “flowering forest” translated from the Tigrinya language.
4. Brisbane, Australia
Area: 15 826 km²
Queensland's administrative center (and once the capital) was not always a city. He “gathered” from 20 separate municipalities and acquired the status of a city in 1925.
Brisbane is now the fastest growing Australian city, and at the same time one of the most multinational in the world.
3. Beijing, China
Area: 16,411 km²
The capital of China has more than 20 million inhabitants. The Beijing city zone diverges in circles that are between the concentric ring city roads. The largest of them is the Sixth Ring Road, it runs even through 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.
2. Hangzhou, China
Area: 16,847 km²
During the Southern Song Dynasty, Hangzhou was the most populated city in the world. He is still rather big, the number of citizens has exceeded 8 million people.
The city is famous for its nature, given beauty and tea plantations. As the Chinese saying goes: "There is heaven in heaven, and there are Suzhou and Hangzhou on earth."
1. Chongqing, China
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, along with suburban and rural areas corresponds to the size of Austria.
