The largest capitals in the world. The largest cities in the world by population and territory Where is the largest city in the world located

Travel is opening, this is meeting new people and a new culture, this is communication and knowledge - knowledge of the world and oneself. Some people value peace and solitude when going to protected areas of wild nature, while others like the bustle of big cities, the pulse of highways and the lights of big cities.

The largest cities in the world

When it comes to the largest city, we can highlight several settlements. If one city can be considered the largest in terms of population, then another can be considered the largest in terms of its extent.

Cities with a population of over a million

Currently, there are almost millionaire cities in every country. But there are countries that include 10 or more such cities, for example, China, India, Russia, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, South Korea.

1. Largest city by population - Tokyo- the capital of Japan, a city of historical monuments and skyscrapers. The population is 37.5 million people.

Shanghai- “eastern capital”. Shanghai had to endure the Opium Wars, British and Japanese occupations, brutal battles during the years of revolution and the rule of the triads.

The city passed all the tests with honor, turning into a huge modern metropolis.

The first settlements on the site of Shanghai arose at the beginning of the 8th century, but it received city status only in 1553 and remained in the shadows until the 19th century, which is associated with a relatively small number of historical attractions in modern Shanghai. However, it has something to surprise visitors - being actually the largest city in the world (more 24.2 million inhabitants), it plays the role of the most important economic, transport, industrial and cultural center of China and the world.

Karachi- the heart of the East. An amazing tropical climate, the crystal waters of the Arabian Sea, ancient forts, the ruins of medieval settlements and, at the same time, modern financial corporations, the largest industrial enterprises and the best education system in the Islamic world - all this is the city of Karachi, located in the south of Pakistan.

The city's population exceeds 23.5 million people. The city is replete with historical, cultural and religious monuments, there are many parks, beaches and hotels. Thanks to this, Karachi is one of the most attractive tourist centers in the East.

Beijing- the modern capital of the People's Republic of China (21.7 million inhabitants) - one of the oldest cities.

The legendary city of Ji, once located on the site of modern Beijing, was founded early 1st millennium BC, and in 473 BC. became the capital of the Yan Kingdom. That is why Beijing is now not only a political, but also an educational, scientific and cultural center of China, annually attracting millions of tourists and thousands of foreign students.

Read about the most beautiful and famous sights in the world in.

The top four are followed by:

• Delhi– capital, population 16.5 million people;
• Lagos– the largest city in Nigeria and Africa, more than 16 million inhabitants;
• Tianjin– the third largest city in China, population – 15.2 million;
• – capital, largest industrial and cultural center of Turkey, 14.2 million people;
• Guangzhou– a metropolis in southern China, the population reaches 13.1 million people;
• – the capital and largest city of Russia, the 1st most populous city in Europe and the 10th most populous city in the world, more than 12.3 million inhabitants.

Largest by area

A less common way to compare the size of cities is by their land area.

Among all the cities in the world, the championship in terms of territory belongs to the Chinese city Chongqing– 82.4 thousand sq. km.

It is followed by two more Chinese metropolises: Hangzhou And Beijing. Their areas are 16.8 and 16.4 thousand square meters, respectively. km.

After them come:

1. Brisbane, Australia – 15.8 thousand sq. km;
2. Asmara, Eritrea – 15.1 thousand sq. km;
3. Chengdu, China – 12.4 thousand sq. km;
4. , Australia – 12.3 thousand sq. km;
5. Tianjin, China – 11.9 thousand sq. km;
6. Melbourne, Australia – 10.0 thousand sq. km;
7. Kinshasa, Congo – 10.0 thousand sq. km.

The longest

Classification of cities by length, or by the greatest geometric distance from one edge to the other, is used extremely rarely and indicates not so much the size of the city as the features of its layout. Usually extended cities are located near the coastline, in mountainous or hilly areas, in areas of natural resource deposits.

The longest city in the world is the capital. The city is surrounded on all sides by mountains. With an area of ​​1.5 thousand square meters. km, the length from the northern to the southern edge is 200 km.

The second place is occupied by the longest city in Russia, located along the Black Sea coast - - the length of the city from the Shepsi River to the border with is 148 km.

Receives "Bronze" Krivoy Rog, located in the south of Ukraine. With an average width of 20 km, its length is 126 km.

They can also boast of great length:

• Beijing, China – 107 km;
• Tokyo, Japan – 92 km;
• Volgograd, – 90 km;
• Canberra, – 90 km.

Do you know how the largest mountains in the world were formed? Read about their formation and location in.

Major tourist centers

Today, tourism occupies one of the leading positions in the world economy.

More popular

According to official statistics, most often it becomes the object of tourist visits. The capital receives up to 20 million foreign tourists annually, and the city's income from tourism exceeds 15 billion US dollars.

They come to London for historical, architectural and religious attractions, and mass cultural events.

The second place is occupied by the capital and largest city - Bangkok, which is visited annually by up to 19 million tourists. Bangkok is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, both geographically and economically.

Visitors to Bangkok are drawn to the city's rich historical and religious heritage, museums and Buddhist temples. In addition, the developed entertainment industry, restaurant and hotel businesses are supported by the authorities the highest level, which also has a positive effect on the influx of foreign tourists.

“City of Love” - located in, took third place in this ranking with an attendance of 16 million people. Paris is famous for its architectural masterpieces from various historical periods, museums and art galleries, gardens and parks.

Modern megacities

We can safely call the most technologically developed city in the world Seoul, the capital. The city of skyscrapers, a city that brings together dozens of the largest industrial corporations working in the field of modern technologies and thousands of small firms. And at the same time, it managed to remain environmentally friendly and comfortable for its residents.

Future technologies are integrated not only in business and industrial centers, but also in educational institutions, residential areas, even on city streets. These are free wireless technologies implemented everywhere, intelligent lighting and video surveillance systems, entertainment technologies and much more.

In second place - Tokyo, a city where ancient traditions and futuristic ambitions of the Japanese people miraculously coexist. Odaibo, the scientific and technological center of Tokyo, is a completely man-made island with multi-tiered bridges, huge ultra-modern buildings and a unique street lighting system.

In Tokyo, high-speed trains run, fully robotic factory workshops operate, and the latest electronic devices and software are developed.

Third place belongs to Dubai- a city in, which has become a real oasis in the sun-scorched Arabian desert. famous not only for its huge skyscrapers, this city has its own special harmony, unity with nature, people here are not a consumer, but a creator. The city has excelled in the use of renewable energy resources, robotic buildings and vehicles.

The world's only driverless passenger bus route operates in Dubai.

Where is it warmest?

We awarded first place to the resort in the “warmest cities in the world” ranking Alanya in, located on the Mediterranean coast surrounded by the Taurus Mountains. The mountains protect Alanya from northern winds, which, combined with the subtropical climate, keeps the average temperature within +37...+42 degrees in summer and 23-26 degrees in winter.

The ancient history of the city, its fortresses and towers will appeal to lovers of antiquity, and Alanya offers holidaymakers developed industry services and entertainment.

• In second place - Puerto del Rosario, "Port of Roses", which is located on the island of Fuerteventura as part of. This is a small resort town that is perfect for lovers of a quiet, measured beach holiday. Summer temperatures in Puerto del Rosario are +32...+39 degrees, in winter they drop to +17...+25.
• Third place rightfully belongs to the resort Safaga, located on the Egyptian coast. Safaga is the most important sea passenger port, a famous center for surfing and windsurfing. The city has many beaches, hotels, health centers, and Safaga restaurants offering exquisite delicacies from rare seafood attract gourmets from all over the world. The temperature ranges from +30...+44 degrees in summer and +16...+23 in winter.

Less popular places

And small towns are popular among tourists. Lovers of a relaxing holiday travel to small towns, but filled with an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.

Small towns

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the status of the smallest city in the world belongs to fortified city of Hum, located in . The town was built on the top of a hill back in the 11th century and in its best times could accommodate 400-450 inhabitants, but now only 23 people live in it.

Despite the tiny size of the city, it has retained rich cultural heritage. Tourists are attracted by the temples with ancient frescoes, the museum and fortifications of Khuma. You can stay in a small city hotel.

Particularly interesting is the famous restaurant, where they serve a strong homemade tincture of medicinal herbs, the recipe of which, according to local residents, is more than two thousand years old.

1. Second place belongs to a Czech city with an unpronounceable name - Rabštejn nad Strzelou, built in 1337 in. Surrounded by picturesque forests, the town houses the ruins of a medieval fortress, an ancient stone bridge, a mill and a Baroque mill, which, according to legend, is haunted. The population of the city is 25 people.
2. In third place is a small town Melnik, located in the southwest. The city was built on the slopes of chalk cliffs, there are more than 100 cultural and architectural monuments of the Middle Ages: monasteries, fortresses, churches, bridges, residential buildings and baths. Melnik was founded in the 12th century, and little has changed since then. Thanks to this, the city has become home to many ethnic festivals that attract tourists from all over the world. 390 people live in Melnik.

Northern points

The title of the northernmost city belongs to Longyearbyen, which is located in the Spitsbergen archipelago. The population of this city, located just 1,300 km from the North Pole, is 2,040 people. Longyearbyen was founded in 1905 as a coal mining center, but over time it lost importance as a source of coal.

Now the city attracts researchers and tourists with its harsh arctic climate and beautiful scenery - it is surrounded by mountains, hills and fjords.

Barrow, a small city in the very north of Alaska, comes in second on this list. The distance to the North Pole is 2100 km, and the average annual temperature in the city is -11.3 degrees, rising to +2...+8 in summer. Barrow has a population of 4,212. The city is an important scientific center in the United States, where the nature of the tundra and the Arctic Ocean is studied.

Third place is occupied by another northern Norwegian city - Honningsvåg, its population is 2436 people, and the distance to the pole is 2110 km. The town has a museum and an old stave church, and is often home to cruise ships due to its stunning scenery.

Where is it cheaper?

Tourists who want to save a significant amount of money choose the cheapest cities for their holidays:

• Experts named the cheapest city in the world Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. The city is surrounded by mountains and forests, there are many gardens, parks, boulevards, historical and religious attractions;
• Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, ranked second among the cheapest cities. It is famous for its architectural monuments in the neo-Gothic style, preserved from the times of German rule, as well as modern economic, cultural and educational institutions, which equate the city in terms of development to many European cities;

Save on travel with us! Read about where to go on vacation inexpensively.

• City Karachi, which we wrote about as the second most populous city in the world, ranks third among the cheapest cities. It is partly the cheapness that explains why Karachi is so popular among tourists.

Whatever you expect from travel, it will always be will surprise you, always brings something new and unusual.

Look video about the largest city in the world by population:

There are more than 200 different countries in the world, which contain a huge variety of urban settlements, differing from each other in area and population. In our article you can get acquainted with the list of the world's largest cities.

Rating by area

Chongqing

Chongqing is a large and ancient city in China, even though it is not the capital of that country. Its area is 82,400 square meters. km, so it is among the top most densely populated cities in the world. Chongqing was built approximately 3000 thousand years ago. The architecture of Chongqing is quite peculiar and unique, because it combines two eras at once: modern skyscrapers and buildings, as well as ancient buildings and structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties (for example, the Dazu rock reliefs, the Arhat Temple, the Diaoyu Fortress, the Furong Cave). Chongqing has a fairly developed infrastructure; there are about 5 automotive factories, many small factories, and famous world companies.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou is one of the provincial cities of China, located 200 km from Shanghai. Hangzhou ranks second in area - 16,900 sq. km. Currently, this city is the main supplier of tea in all of China; the bulk of the country's tea plantations are concentrated here. Also, when coming here, you can look at the unique Lake Xihu, visit natural parks and reserves, for example, the National Tea Museum, the Flower and Fish Contemplation Park, Songchen Park, as well as historical architectural monuments - the city's railway station, Liuheta Six Harmonies Pagoda, Baochu Pagoda .

Beijing

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China, as well as the third largest city in the world - 16,801 sq. km. Beijing is the largest railway and road junction, the largest political, economic and historical center of the country. The architecture of the city is striking in its diversity: here you can see a huge number of ancient buildings, monuments and national parks, for example, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, the National Museum of China, the Summer Imperial Palace, and the Beijing TV Tower.

Brisbane

Brisbane is the largest Australian city with a total area of ​​15,800 sq. km, located in the state of Queensland on the banks of the Brisbane River of the same name. This city is considered an important economic center. Brisbane's architecture combines modern houses and skyscrapers with old colonial style. Here you can see, for example: the Story Bridge, Brisbane Botanical Garden, Wreck Island, Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Sydney

Sydney is a major administrative, political and economic center of Australia with a total area of ​​12,200 sq. km, located on the south-eastern shore of Sydney Harbor, which is part of the Tasman Sea. This city is the capital of the state of New South Wales. Sydney's architecture is colonial, but there are also modern monuments and buildings, just like in any other metropolis. In Sydney you can see, for example: the Opera House, Queen Victoria's House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Maritime Museum, Taronga Zoo.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria, Australia. The total area of ​​the settlement is 10,000 sq. km. Melbourne is located in the southern part of the country on the banks of the Yarra River. The city is the "sporting and cultural" center of Australia. Melbourne's architecture combines Victorian and modern styles. Tourists can visit many museums, national parks, gardens, and see beautiful buildings and structures, for example: the ring tram, the Royal Botanical Garden, the open zoo, Federation Square, the Memorial Monument, and the Princess Theatre.

Kinshasa

Kinshasa is the capital of the Republic of Congo, located on the banks of the Congo River. The area of ​​the city is 9960 sq. km. About 60% of the urban area is occupied by poor rural buildings, as well as green spaces. Tourists coming to Kinshasa can visit the following attractions: Albertine Rift crater lakes, bonobo chimpanzee nursery, Lukaya Park, Kinsuka Falls.

Naypyitaw

Naypyitaw is the capital of Myanmar, located near the former capital city of Yangon. The total area of ​​the urban district is 7060 sq. km. The unofficial name of Naypyitaw is "The Royal Country". The architecture of the city is built in a typical Asian style. The main historical monument is the Golden Tower - a Buddhist temple. Tourists can also visit: Mahabodhi Temple, Zoological Garden, Botanical Park.

Istanbul

Istanbul is located on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait and is one of the largest cities in Turkey, with a total area of ​​5461 sq. km. This city is considered the former capital of the Roman and Byzantine empires. Istanbul is a famous tourist center. There are a huge number of palaces, mosques, historical churches and other places of magnificent beauty, for example: Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Suleymaniye Mosque, Golden Horn Bay, Bosphorus Strait.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a city located in the state of Alaska, USA. The area of ​​the city territory is 4415 sq. km. Anchorage is the northernmost city in the United States and is the largest transport hub. The main attractions of Anchorage are: the deer farm, the village of Ekluta, the Iditarod headquarters.

Karachi

Karachi is a major port in the southern part of Pakistan with a total area of ​​3530 sq. km. Karachi is the financial, banking and industrial center of the country. There are several automobile factories and textile factories located here, and publishing activities are well developed. The main tourist places in Karachi are: St. Patrick's Cathedral, railway station, Three Swords Monument, Ranikot Fort.

Moscow

Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation, whose area is 2500 sq. km. The city is a major economic, industrial and educational center of the country. In Moscow you can visit quite a lot of interesting and unique historical places, for example: Red Square, the Kremlin, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, the Bolshoi Theater, the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, the New and Old Arbat.

Ranking by population

Shanghai

Shanghai is one of the most populous cities in China, with a population of 24.1 million people. Shanghai is located on the banks of the Yangtze River in the eastern part of the country. The city is one of the most important economic, industrial, and cultural centers of China, as well as the largest seaport of global importance. Famous sights of Shanghai are, for example: the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the French Quarter, the Bund, and the Jin Mao Tower.

Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru, located on the Pacific coast at the foot of the Andes Mountains. Population: 11.9 million people. Lima is the economic, political and cultural-historical center of the country. The city has a fairly well developed tourism industry. Millions of tourists from all over the world come here every year. The main attractions of Lima are: the Cathedral, the Lima balconies, the Government Palace, the Larco Museum, the University of San Marcos, and the memorial cemetery.

Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo or "Chicago of Latin America" ​​is a city located in the southeastern part of Brazil, with a population of 10.8 million people. Sao Paulo was founded by a group of Jesuits (members of the Catholic community). The city is named after the Apostle Paul. Sao Paulo has a huge number of modern skyscrapers, offices, industrial zones, as well as various architectural monuments and nature reserves (the most popular are the Singing Sands, the Cathedral, and the Butantan Nature Reserve).

Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital of Mexico with a population of 8.8 million people. This city is the main political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Mexico City is a very beautiful and colorful city, which is rich in a wide variety of attractions, for example: the Palace of Fine Arts, Chapultepec Palace, Constitution Square, Mexico City Cathedral, Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, National Palace.

NY

New York is a large US city located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The population is 8.5 million people. New York is sometimes called the "Big Apple" and is an important economic, industrial, and tourist center. The most popular cultural and historical sites of the city are: the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan, Central Station, Central Park, Broadway Street, Brighton Beach.

Bogota

Bogota is the capital of Colombia, one of the oldest cities in the country. The number of inhabitants is 8 million people. The city is divided into 4 main districts: north, south, central and El Occidente (the part of Bogota where only wealthy people and billionaires live). The most popular places: National Museum of Colombia, Bogota Cathedral, Faenza Theater, José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden.

London

London is the capital of Great Britain, located on the banks of the River Thames. The population is 7.7 million people. London is the world's leading financial, industrial and cultural centre. The main attractions of the city are: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Tower, Westminster Abbey.

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest cities in Brazil, with a population of 6.4 million people. “Rio” is located on the coast of Guanabara Bay, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro is a city of colors, carnivals, dancing and endless smiles. The main attractions of the city are included in the list of objects protected by the World Organization UNESCO: the statue of Jesus Christ, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach.

Saint Petersburg

St. Petersburg is the “northern” capital of Russia, one of the top largest cities in the country. Population - 5.3 million people. St. Petersburg is rich in history; only here a huge number of architectural monuments built in the style of early classicism and modernism are collected. The most famous places in the city are: Catherine Palace, Winter Palace, Church of the Intercession on Blood, Kazan Cathedral, Hermitage, cruiser Aurora, Peterhof.

Barcelona

Barcelona is the capital of the Autonomous Republic of Catalonia, Spain. Population: 2 million people. The city is also the largest Mediterranean port and tourist center in Europe. In Barcelona you can enjoy the views of: Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Tibidabo, Casa Batllo, National Palace, Casa Mila.

In our article you got acquainted with the largest cities in the world by area, as well as by population. We also described the most famous attractions of each city that tourists usually visit.

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 there are bicycles for rent 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 drug production.

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 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. This is where 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.

Men playing cards and mahjong are often seen on the streets of Tanjin. 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.

What does a big city mean to you? A million inhabitants, two, or maybe ten or even thirty? See a photo gallery of the 20 largest cities in the world by population.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is in 20th place in terms of population.

Buenos Aires ranks 19th, with 14.3 million people living in the capital of Argentina.

18th: Kolkata is the largest city in India with a population of 15.7 million.

17th place: Cairo - the capital of Egypt - the number of inhabitants is 17.3 million.

Beijing is home to 16.4 million residents, placing the Chinese capital in 15th place in the ranking.

Los Angeles is the 13th most populous city with 17 million residents.

The capital of the Philippines, Manila, is the 12th largest city in the world with 20.7 million inhabitants.

The Indian city of Bombay, home to 20.8 million people, ranks 11th in the ranking.

9th place: Brazilian city of Sao Paulo, home to 21.1 million people.

7th place: Indian Delhi - 23 million inhabitants.

The 6th most populous city is the Mexican capital, Mexico City, with 23.2 million inhabitants.

The 5th most populous city in the world is Shanghai. This largest Chinese city is home to 25.3 million inhabitants.

In 2nd place: Guangzhou is the largest Chinese city, home to 25.8 million people.

The largest city in the world by population is Tokyo. The capital of Japan is home to 34.5 million people. Tokyo is the undisputed leader in our ranking and will remain so for a long time.