Do you know what is the largest city in the world?
Let those who do not know try to guess, and those who know - I will give you a separate answer - "I will not guess, I know!" We started ...
What is the largest city in the WORLD?
9 (5.0 % )
2 (1.1 % )
28 (15.5 % )
7 (3.9 % )
25 (13.8 % )
Buenos Aires
6 (3.3 % )
2 (1.1 % )
10 (5.5 % )
81 (44.8 % )
I won't guess, I KNOW!
11 (6.1 % )
And now let's find out the history of the largest city in the world ...
Tokyo is the city that everyone who comes to Japan wants to see first of all anyway. A huge metropolis, with a population of 12 million people, it is one of the youngest among all major Japanese cities.
The word "Tokyo" in Japanese means "Eastern Capital". The city bearing this name is the capital of Japan and is an agglomeration located in the Kanto region, in the east of the main Japanese island of Honshu. It consists of 23 districts on the territory of the former independent administrative unit - Tokyo city. In 1943, the city of Tokyo was abolished as an administrative unit. Now these counties, together with the cities and municipalities of the western Tama region, as well as the southern islands of Izu and Ogasawara, form Tokyo Prefecture.
Archaeological excavations show that the place where the capital of Japan is now located was inhabited by ancient tribes back in the Stone Age. The early inhabitants of the Jomon period (10,000 BC) were fishermen, hunters, farmers. This valley of abundance has now been swallowed up by a huge city on the shores of Tokyo Bay.
By 300, Japan was already more or less a single nation. The main life was concentrated in the Kansai region, where the cities of Kyoto, Nara, Osaka are currently located. The eastern region of Kanto remained a distant backwater, forgotten by gods and men. Only in the 12th century, a small village of Edo was built on this site. The people who lived in these places were mainly engaged in fishing, lived in fact subsistence farming.
In 1457, in the place where the Eastern Garden of the Imperial Palace is now located, Ota Dokan began the construction of a castle on the site of an old fort near the small bay of Hibiya. Ten years later, the devastating Ōnin War raged on the streets of the capital city of Kyoto. Many aristocrats left the capital and took refuge in the far eastern domain of Dokan. Even then, all the prerequisites were created for turning the poor village of Edo into a city, but Ota Dokan was killed, and his contribution to the development of the region was wasted.
But Tokyo in the 50s
h ttp://master ok.zhzh.rf on Yandex.Photos
In 1543, Portuguese missionaries and merchants set foot on Japanese soil for the first time. By that time, the feudal lords (daimyo) had turned the country into a patchwork of independent provinces. One of the most powerful daimyo, Oda Nobunaga of Chubu Province, where Nagoya is now located, quickly realized that the Portuguese could serve his ambitious plans in the struggle for power. A new religion, Christianity, could be used in the fight against the power of Buddhist monks, in addition, Nobunaga found widespread use of firearms, which the Portuguese brought with them. In 1581, Oda was killed, but by that time he had managed to unite most of central Japan under his influence.
The case of Nobunaga was continued by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but he did not look so favorably on the spread of Christianity, organizing the persecution of its representatives.
The power of Toyotomi tried to challenge Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the son of a daimyo who served the Oda clan, however, after an unsuccessful attempt, he concluded a truce with Toyotomi, for which he received eight provinces in the eastern region, including the entire Kanto region with the town of Edo. Toyotomi tried in this way to weaken the influence of Tokugawa by excommunicating him from his native lands of the province of Chubu, but Tokugawa took this gift as an opportunity to strengthen his power and decided to turn Edo into a real city.
After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1598, power passed to his son, Toyotomi Hideyori. Tokugawa, having overthrown the heir and his followers in the legendary battle of Sekigahara in 1600, seized real power. In 1603, the emperor awarded him the title of shogun (military ruler). The Tokugawa chose Edo as their capital, beginning the 250-year history of the Tokugawa clan, known in Japanese history as the "Edo period" (1603-1868).
Under the Tokugawa shoguns, Edo developed at an unprecedented pace. Completed in 1637, Edo-jo Castle became the largest castle in the world during Ieyasu's lifetime. Tokugawa seized power in the country seriously and for a long time. However, they wanted to be completely sure that not a single daimyo (as the rich feudal princes of that time were called) in a remote province would be able to strengthen and get rich enough to usurp power. After all, Tokugawa Ieyasu himself did so at one time. The sankin kotai system was established, according to which each daimyo was ordered to live in Edo for a certain number of months a year "in front of" the shogun. Further more. When the feudal lord left for his province to put his personal affairs in order, he was obliged to leave his family in the capital, in fact, as hostages.
In the 17th century, there were 270 daimyōs in Japan, each keeping several houses in Edo for family members and retinues, rich houses complemented by elaborate and extraordinarily expensive landscape gardens. Naturally, spending a huge amount of time and money on travel back and forth, maintaining luxurious residences both in the provinces and in Edo, it was difficult for the daimyo to plot something against the shogun.
To meet the needs of this entire crowd of princes, samurai, their servants, headed by the shogun, merchants and artisans from all over Japan rushed to the new capital. To accommodate them all, hills were torn down and swampy areas were covered with this earth, forming what is now called Ginza, Shimbashi, and Nihombashi. By 1787, the population had grown to 1.3 million and Edo had become one of the largest cities in the world.
The government of the shogunate considered it dangerous to spread "free" ideas coming from the West, and in the first place - Christianity. In addition, international trade was able to enrich some daimyo out of control. In 1633, the Tokugawa shogunate adopted a policy of complete isolation, shutting the country's doors to the outside world for more than 200 years. Foreigners were forbidden to enter the country, and the Japanese were forbidden to leave it. Those who violated this decree were subject to the death penalty. The only exceptions were a colony of tightly controlled Chinese merchants in Nagasaki, and a handful of Dutch who were given a small trading post on a tiny island in Nagasaki.
The Edo period (1603-1867) was characterized by political stability, the country was completely controlled by the shogunate. Japanese society was divided into four classes: samurai, farmers, artisans, and merchants. The manner of dressing, quarters for living and even turns of speech were strictly regulated, and transitions from class to class were prohibited.
METRO scheme
The city was divided into two parts: the Upper City (Yamanote) and the Lower City (Shitamachi). Yamanote, which means "hand of the mountains", was inhabited by wealthy daimyo and their samurai, while the lower strata of society, which included merchants and artisans, settled in the "lower city" of Shitamachi. Residents of Shitamachi and neighboring neighborhoods lived in dirty, impoverished, tightly packed plywood buildings with dirt floors.
Since Edo was mostly made of wood, needless to say, the fires, which the locals called Edo-no-hana (Edo flowers) with bitter irony, were a constant threat. In fact, it was hard to find a person who did not lose their home several times during their lives. During the period 1603-1867, almost 100 major fires passed through the city, not counting countless local fires. One of the most tragic fires occurred in 1657 after three months of heat without a single rain. Caught up in a strong wind, the flames engulfed one by one wooden buildings with thatched roofs. The fire raged for three days and destroyed three quarters of the city. More than 100,000 people died then.
Despite their unenviable social position, the wealth of merchants grew steadily. They were forbidden to flaunt their wealth, to partake of the joys of life, accessible only to samurai. In particular, they did not have the right to use the services of geishas. However, the money had to be spent somewhere. New types of luxury goods and new entertainments began to appear. Kabuki theater quickly gained extraordinary popularity, a new type of painting on wooden boards, Ukiyo-e prints, expensive porcelain dishes, silk brocade for luxurious kimonos, lacquerware - all this was raised to the level of sublime art.
One of the distinguishing features of that time was the entertainment quarters, where samurai could find wine and women forbidden in Yamanote. The most legendary area was the Yoshiwara quarter, northeast of the current Asakusa area. Here the rich spent time with beautiful courtesans. During the Edo period, prostitution was legalized and, like everything else in feudal Japan, strictly controlled by the Tokugawa shogunate. Red-light districts sprang up in various parts of Edo, but none could compete with Yoshiwara. Opened in 1657 in the middle of rice fields, far beyond the city gates, Yoshiwara was a real "entertainment factory" with about 3,000 courtesans working here. They are said to have been so skillful that the men stayed with them for several days and, having lost their heads, often left fortunes here.
Many of these women, such as the famous courtesan named Tayu, were beautiful in their sumptuous robes, which weighed about 20 kg, including a huge "obi" (sash) tied in front. Of course, not all of them voluntarily embarked on this path in the hope of enriching themselves: many were sold into brothels at an early age. To prevent the escape of these unfortunates, the area was surrounded by a moat, and one could enter or leave from there only through guarded gates. The courtesans were allowed to leave the area only once a year during the autumn festival. These "prisoners" were released only in 1900. The Yoshiwara area itself ceased to exist in 1957, when prostitution was banned in the country.
Another feature of Edo that left its mark on today's Tokyo was the division of the big city into "machi" districts according to occupation. Even today it is possible to stumble upon small enclaves that have a certain specialization. The most famous of them are Jimbocho, the quarter of bookstores; Kappabashi, which sells kitchen utensils; and Akihabara, which now sells electronics and manga comics, was previously a small-scale retailer and shipping hub.
By the middle of the 19th century, it became clear that the feudal system had outlived itself. Economic power by that time was concentrated in the hands of merchants, gradually money was more and more in circulation, along with rice. Many samurai clans were ruined and were dissatisfied with the policies of the shogunate.
A push from outside was needed to transform Edo from a medieval city to a world-class capital. This push came in 1854 with the American "black squadron" commanded by Matthew Perry. This military expedition arrived in Edo-wan (Tokyo Bay) on behalf of the President of the United States demanding that Japan be opened to international trade after centuries of isolation. Other Western countries soon followed the Americans. Western influence was used by forces dissatisfied with the regime of the Tokugawa dynasty. In 1868, the 15th shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty was forced to abdicate in favor of Emperor Mutsuhito (Meiji). The new Meiji government moved the capital from Kyoto to Edo Castle, renaming the city to Tokyo (Eastern Capital).
This event was called the Meiji Restoration, since power again passed from the military to the emperor, and the country again received a single capital. Emperor Mutsuhito completely changed the policy of the state, welcoming the export of ideas and technologies from the West.
The Meiji Restoration cannot be called a peaceful transfer of power. In Edo, about 2,000 adherents of the Tokugawa regime tried to resist the forces of the imperial guard in the short battle of Ueno. The battle took place in the vicinity of the picturesque Kanei-ji temple, which, along with Zojo-ji, was one of two Tokugawa family temples.
The word Meiji means "enlightenment", and the new rulers of Japan set a course for the industrialization and militarization of society. In a relatively short time, known as the Meiji period (1868-1911), the country quickly stepped from a feudal society of samurai and peasants into an industrial state. Samurai lost their power and privileges, they were no longer allowed to carry swords. A government cabinet headed by a prime minister was created, a new constitution was drafted (1889), and a parliament (Diet) was elected. The first railroads were built (1872). At the invitation of the government, more than 10,000 specialists from England, the USA, Germany, and France came to Tokyo to transform the country into a modern society.
A modernization boom began in Tokyo. Everything changed: fashion, architecture, food, shops. For a while, everything Japanese was completely forgotten and pushed aside.
In record time, Japan won its first military victories over China (1894-95) and Russia (1904-05) and entered the path of Western empires with the annexation of Taiwan (1895), Korea (1910) and Micronesia (1914).
By embarking on the path of nationalism, Japan turned Shinto into a chauvinistic state religion. Buddhism was persecuted by the state at that time, many priceless artifacts and temples were destroyed.
During the Meiji period and the subsequent Taisho period, the changes that took place throughout the country were most noticeable in the new capital. Tokyo's rapid industrialization, uniting around the nascent huge industrial-commercial conglomerate (zaibatsu), attracted job seekers from all over Japan, leading to rapid population growth. Electricity arrived in Tokyo in the 1880s. Former dirty quarters were turned into fashionable areas, such as Ginza, where new brick buildings were being built for the country. In 1904, Mitsukoshi, Japan's first Western-style department store, appeared, and the department store building in the Nihonbashi area (1914) was called the most grandiose building east of the Suez Canal.
However, although the Meiji Restoration sounded the death knell for the former Edo, there were two more events ahead that obliterated the remaining traces of the old city. In the first half of the 20th century, Tokyo was almost completely destroyed twice: in 1923, a powerful earthquake (about 8 on the Richter scale), known as the Great Kanto Earthquake, hit the city. Even more terrible than the tremors themselves was the fire that followed the earthquake, which lasted 40 hours and devastated the city, destroying about 300,000 houses. The element left behind 142,000 victims. Grim reminders of this event can be seen at the Kanto Earthquake Memorial Museum.
The rebuilding of the city began almost immediately, following the wisdom that any business that has not resumed activity within three days of the collapse has no future.
The second time a terrible disaster befell Tokyo at the end of World War II: Allied bombs wiped out half the city from the face of the earth, killing another 100,000 people.
Since the beginning of the reign of Emperor Hirohito (Showa tennō) in 1926, Japanese society has been characterized by a rising tide of nationalist fervor. In 1931, Japan invaded Manchuria, and in 1937 embarked on the path of open confrontation with China. In 1940, a tripartite agreement was signed with Germany and Italy and a new order for the Asian region was formulated: the Great East Asian Sphere of Mutual Prosperity. The project was based on the desire to create "a bloc of Asian peoples, led by Japan, and free from Western powers." On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, thereby declaring war on the United States, their principal enemy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Despite initial successes, the war was disastrous for Japan. On April 18, 1942, the first bombs fell on Tokyo. On the night of March 9-10, 1944, the city underwent an unprecedented raid, during which 2/5 of the capital was destroyed, almost the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe "lower city" Shitamachi "turned into ruins. About 80,000 people died that night. Later, the Buddhist temple of Sensoji in Asakusa and the Shinto shrine of Meji Jingu were destroyed by bombs. On August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito made a historic statement to the Japanese people about the surrender of Japan. By this time, Tokyo was practically destroyed.
In 1943, the city of Tokyo was abolished as an administrative division. During World War II, on November 24, 1944, the United States began bombing Tokyo. On February 25 and March 10, 1945, American bombers bombed the city heavily. Entire areas of the city with traditional wooden architecture were destroyed and burned, over 100 thousand people died. The historical imperial palace was also destroyed.
From September 1945 to April 1952, the city was occupied by American troops. Opposite the imperial palace was the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur, who, as commander-in-chief of the Allied forces, led the occupation authorities. Then Tokyo entered a period of rapid recovery and economic growth, which became especially intense after the outbreak of the Korean War.
The rebuilding of the Japanese capital from the ashes of World War II was like a miracle. True, Tokyo again, as after the Great Kanto Earthquake, did not take advantage of the opportunity for a global reconstruction of the city to make avenues and streets wider and more elegant, as happened, for example, in Nagoya, but built new houses on the site of old buildings.
During the occupation by American troops in the early post-war years, Tokyo looked like a huge cheap nightclub. Today's respectable neighborhoods such as Yurakucho were filled with so-called pan-pan girls (prostitutes), and the Ikebukuro and Ueno neighborhoods were turned into "black market" zones. A reminder of this can still be found at the Ameyoko Arcade in Ueno, where a sort of cheap bazaar is still located.
Tokyo was recovering at an unprecedented pace, especially in the central regions. Tokyo was especially proud of hosting the 1964 Summer Olympics. During the preparation period, the city was engulfed in unprecedented construction. Many Japanese see this time as a turning point in the history of the nation, when Japan fully recovered from the devastation of World War II, becoming a full member of the modern world economy.
Construction and modernization continued at a breakneck pace during the 70s, reaching its peak towards the end of the 1980s, with rising property prices. The cost of land in Tokyo by that time exceeded the value of all the United States, and Japanese companies, enriched by real estate speculation, began to buy many of the world's famous entertainment brands, including the famous Pebble Beach Golf Course, the Rockefeller Center (Rockefeller Center), the Columbia film studio pictures. By the early 1990s, the "soap bubble" had burst, and the Japanese economy experienced a prolonged recession for more than 15 years.
The main problem of Tokyo and all of Japan is a decrease in the birth rate and a high concentration of the population. According to a published report in 2011, the birth rate has fallen again, falling to the lowest level since World War II, and in the capital it is even lower than the national average. The difference between deaths and births has exceeded 200,000. At the same time, the percentage of the population of retirement age is steadily growing, which increases the burden of the social insurance and pension system. According to the Ministry of National Affairs of Japan, in 2011, for the first time, pensioners accounted for 23.3% of the total population of the country. There are 21 million Japanese over 70 years of age, and 8.66 million over 80 residents.
Despite the existing difficulties, Tokyo continues to develop dynamically. There are new subway lines and new mega-complexes such as Tokyo Midtown. Modern Tokyo is a huge metropolis of glass, concrete and steel, like all major cities in the world, like a huge anthill. A person who first came here is involuntarily lost in this stone labyrinth. And yet, Tokyo can be unusually cozy if you turn from the avenues crowded with cars and find yourself in one of the many gardens or parks, squeezed tightly pressed against each other houses.
They say Tokyo has no face. Or maybe this is its attractiveness: it can be different, changing at every step. History and modernity, traditions and Western innovations live here side by side, without interfering, but on the contrary, complementing each other and making this city unusually interesting and unique.
With a recent history Tokyo city one tragic event is connected: on March 20, 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo sect committed a terrorist attack using sarin on the Tokyo subway. At the same time, 13 people died and over 6,200 people were injured.
According to the list of the most expensive cities to live in as of 2009, which was published by the American financial and economic magazine Forbes, Tokyo is the most expensive city in the world.
Usually cities are measured by two parameters: the number of inhabitants and the area. Most people live in the capital of Japan, Tokyo - 34 million. In second place is Mexico City (Mexico). And on the third - New York (USA). But this rating is made taking into account people who live in the suburbs and satellite cities. If they are not counted, the picture changes. In this case, the largest city is the South Korean city of Seoul (10 million 231 thousand people), followed by Sao Paulo (Brazil) and Bombay (India). As for the territory occupied by the city, London is the leader here. Its area is 1580 square meters. In second place is Mexico City. Its area is 1547 square kilometers. This is 0.5% of the area of all of Mexico. And on the third - Los Angeles (1206 square kilometers). In Russia, the largest city is Moscow. Its area is 931 square kilometers, and its population is 10 million people.
Tokyo is the largest city in the world, the capital of Japan, the only giant city in the world that has gathered over 40% of the country's population. The population continues to grow. The average population density is 800-1000 people. per 1 sq. km. According to the forecasts of the World Urbanization Prospects Review (2007), this largest metropolitan area, as the most densely populated agglomerate city, will continue to be Number One.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Prefecture, which consists of 23 administrative districts, 26 cities, 7 towns and 8 villages, as well as the islands of Ogasawara and Izu, is located on the Kanto plain of the Pacific coast of Honshu.
Of course, the title of the largest city is very unsteady - it depends on how you count. There are many different ratings and options on the Internet. But I stopped for example here
It's a little paradoxical, but our school knowledge of demography becomes obsolete in a matter of years. The world is developing so fast that many of the leading cities of the eighties and even the nineties are not even in the top ten in terms of population today!
But dynamically developing cities located in South and East Asia confidently move to the first positions. However, first things first.
10. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh
The tenth position in the ranking of world cities by population is occupied by Dhaka, which is the capital of Bangladesh. A little more than 12 million people live in the metropolis, and they are concentrated on a fairly small area of 815 square meters. km, which roughly corresponds to the area of Volgograd or Tyumen. Just imagine that 12 million people live in Russian Tyumen! How will they live there? And if you add the poverty that prevails in Bangladesh to the terrible overcrowding, it becomes not surprising that the standard of living in Dhaka is extremely low and often people are forced to live in unsanitary conditions.
However, in Dhaka, as in any metropolis, there is a respectable business center and numerous historical sights, since Dhaka is a fairly ancient city, founded in the seventh century. It is here that the largest Hindu temple in Bangladesh is located, which is called Dhakeshwari. 90% of the population of Dhaka profess Islam, so there are also enough beautiful mosques and minarets here. Instead of car taxis in Dhaka, cycle rickshaws are used - up to four hundred thousand of these cabs go to work every day.
9. Moscow, the capital of Russia
The population of this city today is 12 million 450 thousand people and continues to grow steadily. Refuting the classic thesis that it is not made of rubber, Moscow annually grows one hundred, or even two hundred thousand new residents. It has long gone beyond the Moscow Ring Road, and in the new part of the agglomeration - New Moscow, another 2-3 million will fit quite well. Today, our capital is in no way inferior to the leading megacities of the world. Relatively recently, the Russian Manhattan even appeared here - a complex of business buildings Moscow-City. Its largest building, the Federation Tower, is the largest skyscraper in Europe, with 95 floors and 374 meters in height.
The city is served by 5 airports, 9 railway stations and, of course, the most beautiful subway in the world, which includes more than two hundred stations. Unlike eastern metropolises, Moscow is a clean, spacious and livable city. Such metropolitan attractions as Red Square, the Kremlin, the Ostankino TV Tower and St. Basil's Cathedral are easily recognizable by residents of all countries of the world. Although Moscow is only in ninth place in terms of population, we still love it a hundred times more than any other metropolis!
8. Mumbai, India
The population of Indian Mumbai is only slightly larger than Moscow's and amounts to 12 million 480 thousand people. The area of this metropolis is very small - only 600 square meters. km, which corresponds to the area of Voronezh or Kazan. Accordingly, the population density in Mumbai is the highest among the cities in this rating. It is very difficult to live in such crowded conditions, but people come to this city from all over India, because there is work and entertainment here. The symbol of Mumbai is a complex of film studios, which, by analogy with Hollywood, was called Bollywood. He produces thousands of famous Indian films a la Zita and Gita with music and of course dancing. Mumbai is India's water gate through which about half of India's maritime passenger traffic passes.
There is also a well-developed railway transport and a traditional for Asia transport by auto rickshaws. Mumbai is a city of contrasts: skyscrapers here are adjacent to slums and the standard of living of local residents can also differ greatly. There are many European-style buildings in the metropolis, since in the colonial era the city was a stronghold of the British. Until recently, it was called in the English manner - Bombay, and only in the mid-1990s it was officially given the Indian name - Mumbai.
7. Guangzhou, China
13 million 80 thousand people live in this metropolis. In Europe, it is known as Canton, and the locals call their metropolis Yangchen, which means "city of goats." They do not see anything shameful in this - the Chinese, after all. In the Middle Ages, the Silk Road began in Guangzhou, and today it is one of the leading centers of world trade. It is here that the famous Canton Fair takes place every year, where up to 150 thousand goods from all over the world are exhibited. The local Qingping market is huge even by Chinese standards.
Along with traditional goods, here you can buy exotic animals, fish and even insects for gastronomic purposes. Guangzhou is a tourist mecca, annually it is visited by at least 4 million tourists, which roughly corresponds to the traffic of the whole Crimea. The metropolis combines ancient history and ultra-modern urban environment. Guangzhou is home to China's largest park, Yuexiu, China's revered Chen Family Ancestral Temple, and an impressive 610-meter-high hyperboloid TV tower. In general, Guangzhou is a beautiful, dynamic and livable city, the locals are really lucky!
6. Istanbul, Türkiye
This city is home to 13 million, 855 thousand people. It is characterized by rapid growth - the population of the metropolis annually increases by 300-400 thousand. This is largely due to the fact that the standard of living in Istanbul is about 70% higher than in Turkey as a whole. Istanbul attracts residents of the state with high salaries and, of course, an interesting life. The metropolis is located on both banks of the Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Black and Marmara Seas. It is interesting that it was founded and initially developed on the Asian coast, but today the lion's share of the population is concentrated in the European part.
The metropolis is a very popular tourist destination, ranking third in terms of attendance among cities around the world. Its symbol is the Hagia Sophia, built in the 6th century. No less popular tourist sites are the Beylerbey Palace, the Suleymaniya architectural complex and, of course, the famous Istanbul Grand Bazaar. There is also a business high-rise center in the city, and Istanbul skyscrapers have a special oriental flavor, however, like this whole great city.
5. Lagos, the capital of Nigeria
The African city of Lagos is home to 15 million 119 thousand people, and the population density is breaking all records, reaching 17 thousand inhabitants per square kilometer. One can only wonder how people manage to live in such cramped conditions. The city is divided into 16 regions, and it is not governed by the mayor, as everywhere else, but by a whole governor, since the population of the metropolis is drawn to a small country. Nigerians consider it a happiness to live in the capital, because there is at least some work here. But from the point of view of Europeans, Lagos can hardly be called attractive for life.
In many places it is better for whites not to appear, just as there are districts only for whites or only for rich blacks. The lion's share of the population of Lagos lives in slums, in terrible poverty, the locals eat very poorly and suffer from infectious diseases. Malaria is still widespread here, carried by the famous tse-tse fly. The city also has a rich downtown with skyscrapers and road junctions. It is the multi-storey center that appears on the brochures of this greatest metropolis of modern Africa.
4. Delhi, the capital of India
16 million 315 thousand people live in Delhi. This is the oldest city among the megacities of this rating - its age exceeds 5 thousand years. It is divided into 9 administrative regions. In the most prosperous of them, New Delhi, the government quarter and the skyscrapers of the business center are located. Nothing here reminds you that you are in a rather poor Asian country. Meanwhile, the largest part of the population is concentrated in the southern and western parts of the metropolis, where people huddle in miserable shacks. Delhi's slums are horribly overcrowded and often devoid of amenities.
Suffice it to say that there is one toilet for 27 families, and there are even fewer wells from where the people of Delhi get water. The capital of India is an amazing combination of squalid slums, modern skyscrapers and majestic buildings of bygone eras. Ancient Hindu temples, huge mosques, fortresses and citadels of ancient kings, lively markets where you can buy exotic food and goods... Needless to say, there is something for a tourist to see here, but a European person will most likely not want to live in this overpopulated place.
3. Beijing, the capital of China
The population of the city is 21 million 516 thousand people. This city is very ancient - presumably it was founded in the 5th century BC and has always played an important role in the life of the Celestial Empire. Nowadays, it is from here that huge China is ruled and the city fully corresponds to its status as the capital of the greatest state in the world. Beijing is developing rapidly - every year new quarters for ordinary Chinese and huge business skyscrapers are being built here. The tallest building in the city is the China World Trade Center at 74 floors, but the China Zun mega skyscraper, 106 floors high, is already being completed, which promises to become a real gem of architecture.
Beijing is modern and at the same time ancient. Every year, millions of tourists visit the world-famous Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the summer imperial palace and hundreds of other attractions. Despite its Asian location, Beijing is a city of wide avenues and vast parks. There are practically no slums traditional for Asia, and the lion's share of the population lives in high-rise buildings familiar to Russians.
2. Karachi, Pakistan
23 million 520 thousand people live in this city. It is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the world - its population has doubled in the last 20 years. The full age of Karachi is a little over two hundred years, during which it has grown from a fishing village into one of the largest cities in the world. This is impressive, if not phenomenal, growth. A feature of the metropolis is its multinational composition, which largely determines the diversity of lifestyles. Pashtuns, Punjabis, Urdu, Bengalis, Afghans and even Jews live here, which gives the city a special flavor.
The standard of living in Karachi cannot be called high, and the criminal situation is quite difficult - Europeans are strongly discouraged from appearing in some areas. Since the city is quite young, the local sights are mostly replicas. The locals are proud of the giant fountain that spouts to a height of about two hundred meters, the Zoroastrian towers of silence and a huge pool of crocodiles. Along with the poor neighborhoods in Karachi, there are fashionable areas and a business center. Therefore, it is perhaps a classic Asian city of contrasts.
1. Shanghai, China
And the greatest city of our time is Chinese Shanghai, which is home to 24 million 150 thousand people. The metropolis impresses with its futurism - it is dominated by the highest skyscraper in China with a height of 632 meters and 121 floors, which is called the "Shanghai Tower". In general, in terms of the number of skyscrapers, the Shanghai Pudong district has long surpassed Manhattan and continues to develop dynamically. The history of Shanghai has more than seven centuries, so there are enough impressive historical buildings. Thousands of believers annually visit the local temple of Confucius, with the construction of which this great city began. And Mount Sheshan with its ancient pagodas seems to have come to the present from ancient Chinese fairy tales. In the very center of Shanghai, the mountain looks absolutely incredible! The metropolis is the commercial, scientific, financial and economic center of China, as well as its sea gates. Local residents live, if not richly, then quite decently - the average salary here is 700-750 dollars, which is very good by Asian standards. Shanghai has a special status in China, so a large part of the taxes collected in the city remains here. That is why the municipal authorities have funds for capital construction, the development of housing and communal infrastructure. As a result, the city is developing rapidly, its population is growing and is already breaking world records. Thus, if you are asked, what is the largest city on Earth? You can safely answer - this is Shanghai, which is home to more than 24 million people!
Our planet is amazing and beautiful. There are hundreds of countries and several million cities on the globe. Among them are old and young, traditional and ultra-modern, delectably charming and frighteningly dangerous. Today we will go on a short journey through the largest metropolitan areas of the world.
The largest cities in the world by area
Have you ever wondered which city on earth is the largest and where it is located? We will tell about the wonderful and unusual corners of our planet. This is a rating of the 10 largest settlements on earth by territory.
Kinshasa, Congo - 9,965 km²
Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Much of its area is rural and sparsely populated. Kinshasa is the most French-speaking city, beating even Paris.
The population is growing rapidly, and if 5 years ago there lived 9.4 million people, then in 80 years this figure could increase to 83.5 million.
Melbourne, Australia - 9,990 km²
Melbourne is the southernmost million-plus city in the world. The city was founded as an agricultural settlement, but quickly developed into the cultural and industrial capital of Australia.
And in 2017, he was awarded the title of the most comfortable city for living in the world. This is where tourists leave the most money. And this is not surprising, because large sports tournaments and various festivals often take place here, between which you can move along the largest tram network in the world.
Tianjin, China - 11,943 km²
One of the largest cities in China. It was loved by the emperors of many dynasties, coming here on vacation. However, in modern Tianjin you can relax no worse than the rulers of ancient China. There are gardens, parks, temples, rivers. Here you can meet rare birds, a huge Buddha statue, kites and listen to the masters of the Peking Opera.
Sydney, Australia - 12,367.70 km²
The capital of Australia, and concurrently its largest, oldest and most expensive city. Sydney has the honor of hosting international sporting and political events. Here you can find entertainment for every taste. There are beaches, theaters, sports fields, parks and much more.
Also here you can visit the highest sights in the world - the TV tower and the headquarters of a large insurance company. At the top of the TV tower, you can dine in a revolving restaurant and enjoy breathtaking views of the city.
Al Ain, UAE - 15,100.00 km²
The city of Al Ain is located in Abu Dhabi and is a popular tourist destination. It is home to the largest number of people in the United Arab Emirates. The name of the city is translated as "stream", which completely cuts off its essence.
El Ain has a large number of parks, gardens, oases, the streets are lined with various trees and flowers, there are hot and mineral springs. One of the main attractions is Jebel Hafeet mountain with an observation deck at the top.
Asmara, Eritrea - 15,061 km²
Eritrea is located on the Red Sea coast and is the youngest state in Africa. In 1889, Asmara was colonized by the Italians, which affected its appearance. The city was called Little Rome. Its houses are painted in delicate pastel colors, wide streets and squares run along the city, and the neo-Romanesque cathedral adorns the center. There is a mosque, a synagogue, and an Orthodox church.
Asmara is a cosmopolitan city. It is considered one of the safest African capitals. A large number of UN peacekeepers are stationed here on a permanent basis, and the locals are friendly and open in a European way.
Note!
Tourists visiting Asmara should first of all visit the volcanic field. This is the main attraction of the country.
Brisbane, Australia - 15,826 km²
Brisbane is surrounded by Moreton Bay of the Pacific Ocean and the Brisbane River. It is included in the top 100 global cities in the world. Brisbane is a modern metropolis where you can still meet local aborigines. The climate here is mild and the sun almost always shines. Therefore, at any time you can safely go on a river cruise or relax on one of the many beaches.
Beijing is the heart of China and one of the oldest capitals of our planet. This city combines the frantic rhythm of the modern city and oriental traditions. Huge skyscrapers and ancient temples, beautiful gardens and major highways coexist here.
Beijing is the country's largest transportation hub. Unfortunately, Beijing has become one of the most polluted cities in the world due to the high flow of traffic and exhaust gases, as well as the huge number of industrial facilities. It is almost always shrouded in smog, and it is strictly forbidden to drink water from the tap. Despite all this, 56 different nationalities live here and a huge number of tourists come every year.
Huangzhou, China - 16,842 km²
Huangzhou is China's largest center of science and education. Research centers, institutes are located here, high-tech devices, textiles, cars and much more are created and produced.
There is also a fair of import and export goods. Well, where, if not here, can be the best textile market in China. Huangzhou is also home to the world's second tallest TV tower and the world's longest metro line.
Chongqing, China - 82,403 km²
The largest city in the world. Oddly enough, but it is huge as much as it is little known to the general public. The area of Chongqing is equal to the area of Austria, 98% of it is occupied by agricultural and suburban areas.
The city is dominated by a hilly landscape and a large number of rivers flow. More than 30 million people live in the largest city on the planet. Most of them are located in the so-called urban or urban area, which occupies only 1.79% of the total area of the city.
The most populated cities in the world
The huge size of some cities does not yet mean that their entire territory is inhabited. Below is the top 10 most populated cities in the world as of 2018.
Moscow, Russia - 16,855,000 people
Moscow is the Russian capital. The largest city in Russia by population, the most populated city in Europe and the largest Russian-speaking city in the world. Despite the fact that it is not included in the lists of the largest cities in the world, it continues to attract new residents and grow. Life is in full swing here.
The concrete jungle is diluted with a large number of green areas. Each street has its own history, which many tourists rush to get acquainted with. Moscow is the tourist, sports, economic and political center of the largest country on the planet.
Mexico City, Mexico - 20,565,000 people
The capital of Mexico and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world. Mexico City is historically one of the most densely populated cities on the planet, as it occupies a very small area. The population density here is almost 6,000 people per 1 square kilometer. This is due to the fact that the city is an economic center and various manufacturing enterprises are located in it.
New York is the world center of economy, politics and fashion. It is called the capital of the world. Here are the offices of the largest companies in various industries. The city is known for its skyscrapers, the Statue of Liberty and the frantic pace of life. It is divided into 5 districts, each of which has its own unique features and memorable atmosphere.
New York has so much to offer, so a huge number of tourists, businessmen, musicians and other people come here to snatch a piece of the American dream.
Mumbai, India - 23,265,000 people
The city, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, is called the most multinational city on the planet. Despite the incredible population, people continue to arrive here. But in Mumbai, more than 20,000 people live at a distance of 1 square kilometer.
The city is a champion not only in terms of population density. Here is the world's largest tropical forest, and the largest slums in Asia, and an unforgettable national flavor. The city also attracts film lovers, because Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is Bollywood.
Shanghai, China - 24,115,000 people
Shanghai is the largest city in China by population. Here is the world's largest port and the longest sea bridge. Large financial and cultural objects of the country are concentrated in this city.
Shanghai attracts lovers of shopping and gastronomy. There are numerous trading floors and the best restaurants where you can try all the variety of national cuisine.
Unlike other major cities in China, the air here is relatively clean. About 3 million people migrate from more distant places to Shanghai every year. 5% of the townspeople are illiterate.
Seoul, South Korea - 24,210,000 people
Seoul is a developed and safe Asian metropolis that attracts tourists and residents of other cities in the Republic of Korea. It is the leading financial center of East Asia. Here are the headquarters of the largest corporations.
Cosmetics, household chemicals and electronics produced by Korean brands have won the love of consumers around the world. Huge malls with original Korean products make this city a paradise for shoppers.
The capital is developing very quickly, providing more and more people with jobs. Also, a large number of students from all over South Korea come to the city, because here are the most prestigious universities in the country.
Manila, Philippines - 24,650,000 people
Delhi is the second largest city in India and its capital. Cultures and eras are mixed here. The population is multinational. Here they speak several languages and ten dialects, profess all possible religions.
There are several thousand architectural monuments in the city. Tourists can spend time in comfort walking around shopping centers, relaxing in cozy restaurants and enjoying the unusual Indian flavor. But many residents of the city live below the poverty line.
The slums have become a kind of attraction in Delhi. They are home to over 4 million people, most of whom are unemployed. The slums have a very low standard of living and a high crime rate, so tourists are advised to avoid this place.
Interesting!
Jakarta is the capital of the largest Muslim state in the world. It is also the largest city without a subway. Therefore, a multi-million population moves along land highways, creating endless traffic jams. As in other large cities, wealth and poverty coexist here.
On the streets of the city you can meet representatives of various cultures and religions. There are a lot of both architectural monuments and modern buildings. In the capital of Indonesia, there are frequent phenomena of heat and smog, from which you can hide in a national park with a beach, a water park and an aquarium.
Tokyo, Japan - 38,050,000 people
The capital of Japan and the most populated city in the world. Center for Advanced Technology and the Future. Tokyo is divided into 23 districts with their own municipal government. In the daytime, the outskirts of the city are empty, and the central districts are filled with workers and students.
The life of this metropolis does not stop day or night, filling the streets with streams of people. The world's longest subway passes underground here. However, even it is not able to fully accommodate everyone who wants to ride. Tokyo is not only densely populated, but also the most expensive city in the world. But here you can buy everything: from the latest developments in the field of robotics to small national souvenirs.
Conclusion
Surprisingly, megacities that occupy a large area have fewer people than smaller cities. This is due to the fact that most of the landscape can be occupied by mountains, forests or reserves that are not intended for urbanization, that is, the construction of modern cities.
We can see that the largest cities, both in number and territory, are located mainly in dynamically developing Asia. And, for example, in Europe there are almost no large settlements.
But do not forget that the demographic situation is rapidly changing, and the data becomes outdated. Some countries and cities are developing so fast that in a few years they will easily be able to move the current champions.
It is quite possible that in 10 years we will see a completely different picture, and the ranking of the largest cities in the world will look completely different.
Related video
There are more than 200 different countries in the world, in which there is 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 largest world cities.
Rating by area
chongqing
Chongqing is a large and ancient city in China, even though it is not the capital of this country. Its area is 82400 sq. km, so it is among the top most densely populated cities in the world. Chongqing was built about 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 of the Ming and Qing dynasties (for example, the rock reliefs of Dazu, the temple of the arhats, the Diaoyu fortress, Furong cave). Chongqing has a fairly developed infrastructure, there are about 5 automobile manufacturing plants, many small factories, famous world companies.
chongqinghangzhou
Hangzhou is one of the provincial cities of China, located 200 km from Shanghai. Hangzhou ranks second in terms of area - 16,900 sq. km. Currently, this city is the main supplier of tea in all of China; the main number of tea plantations in the country is concentrated here. Also, when coming here, you can look at the unique Xihu Lake, 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, Liuhe 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 - 16801 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, 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. The architecture of Brisbane combines modern houses and skyscrapers, as well as an old colonial style. Here you can see, for example: the Story Bridge, the Brisbane Botanical Garden, the island of sunken ships, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.
Sydney
Sydney is a large administrative, political and economic center of Australia with a total area of 12,200 sq. km, located on the southeastern shore of Sydney Harbor Bay, which is part of the Tasman Sea. This city is the capital of the state of New South Wales. The architecture of Sydney is made in the colonial style, but there are also modern monuments and buildings, as in any other metropolis. In Sydney you can see, for example: the Opera House, the house of Queen Victoria, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Maritime Museum, the Taronga Zoo.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of the state 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 "sports and cultural" center of Australia. Melbourne's architecture combines Victorian and modern styles. Tourists can visit many museums, national parks, gardens, see the most beautiful buildings and structures, for example: the ring tram, the Royal Botanical Garden, an open zoo, Federation Square, a monument of memory, a princess theater.
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital of the Republic of the 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 visiting Kinshasa can visit the following attractions: Albertine Rift Crater Lakes, Bonobo Chimpanzee Nursery, Lukaya Park, Kinsuka Falls.
Naypyidaw
Naypyidaw is the capital of Myanmar, located near the former capital city of Yangon. The total area of the urban district is 7060 sq. km. Naypyidaw's informal name is "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. Also tourists can 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, the Blue Mosque, the Suleymaniye Mosque, the Golden Horn, the Bosphorus.
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 transportation hub. The main attractions of Anchorage are: the deer farm, the village of Ekluta, the headquarters of the Iditarod.
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. Several automobile plants, textile factories are located here, and publishing activities are well developed. The main tourist places of the city of Karachi are: St. Patrick's Cathedral, the railway station, the Three Swords monument, the Ranikot Fort.
Moscow
Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation with an area of 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, Novy and Stary Arbat.
Ranking by population
Shanghai
Shanghai is one of the most populous cities in China, with a population of 24.1 million. 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 world's largest seaport. Famous sights of Shanghai are, for example: the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the French Quarter, the Bund, the Jin Mao Tower.
Lima
Lima is the capital of Peru, located on the Pacific Ocean at the foot of the Andes. The population is 11.9 million people. Lima is the economic, political, cultural and historical center of the country. The city has a 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, the memorial cemetery.
Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo or "Latin American Chicago" is a city located in the southeastern part of Brazil, with a population of 10.8 million people. São Paulo was formed by a group of Jesuits (members of the Catholic society). 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 reserves (the most popular are the Singing Sands, the Cathedral, the Butantan Reserve).
mexico city
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico with a population of 8.8 million. 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, the Cathedral of Mexico City, the Basilica of the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe, the National Palace.
NY
New York is a large US city located on the Atlantic Ocean. The population is 8.5 million people. New York City is sometimes referred to as 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, the Manhattan district, the central station, the central park, Broadway street, Brighton Beach.
Bogota
Bogotá is the capital of Colombia and one of the oldest cities in the country. The number of inhabitants is 8 million people. The city is divided into 4 main areas: northern, southern, central and El Occidente (part of Bogota, which is inhabited exclusively by wealthy people and billionaires). Most popular places: National Museum of Colombia, Bogota Cathedral, Faenza Theatre, José Celestino Mutiz 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 center. The main attractions of the city are: Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, Tower Bridge, London Eye Ferris wheel, Tower, Westminster Abbey.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is one of the major cities in Brazil with a population of 6.4 million. "Rio" is located on the coast of the Guanabar Bay, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Rio de Janeiro is a city of colors, carnivals, dances and endless smiles. The main attractions of the city are included in the list of objects protected by the World Organization of UNESCO: the statue of Jesus Christ, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach.
Saint Petersburg
St. Petersburg is the "northern" capital of Russia, one of the top largest cities in the country. The population is 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 modernity have been collected. The most famous places in the city are: the Catherine Palace, the Winter Palace, the Church of the Intercession on Blood, the Kazan Cathedral, the Hermitage, the cruiser Aurora, Peterhof.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the capital of the autonomous republic of Catalonia, Spain. The population is 2 million people. The city is also the largest Mediterranean port and a tourist center in Europe. In Barcelona you can enjoy the views: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Tibidabo, Casa Batllo, National Palace, Casa Mila.
In our article, you got acquainted with the largest cities in the world in terms of area, as well as in terms of population. We also described the most famous sights of each city, which are usually visited by tourists.
Which is the largest city in the world is not as easy to determine as it seems at first glance. How to calculate - by area or by population? If you make two lists, they will not match. And what is considered a city? De jure and de facto there will be no identity. Many cities have grown to include smaller towns. They have become agglomerations (they are monocentric - with one center and polycentric - with several), that is, in fact, one large city, but formally considered a cluster of relatively small cities. The difference is sometimes so great - at least grab your head. For example, New York within the current urban boundaries includes less than 8.5 million people, and in the agglomeration - almost 24.
By population
The world's largest cities in terms of population have both a long history and a relatively young age. The same New York arose only in the 17th century, and its rapid growth during the 19th and 20th centuries is due to the fact that it was the most geographically convenient point for receiving immigrants from Europe. And, for example, London, which will celebrate its 2000th anniversary in 2043, owes its numerical growth to the status of the capital of the British Empire. In terms of population, the top ten cities look like this:
A striking example of a polycentric urban agglomeration is Manila (Philippines); the population of the city is about 1.7 million people, and in the agglomeration - 22.7. Moreover, the capital is not the largest city. Another large city that is part of the agglomeration, Kesson City, has 2.7 million inhabitants. The agglomeration is legally formalized as the National Capital Region and, in fact, is one large city, although in terms of area - 638.55 km2 - it is inferior even to Moscow before some areas of the Moscow Region are included in it. As for our capital, the Moscow agglomeration shares 17-18 positions with the Japanese Osaka agglomeration, numbering 17.4 million people.
By area
If it is difficult to figure out the list of the largest cities by population, since different sources give different figures, then everything is much simpler with the area. The geographical dimensions of the cities are fixed accurately and, unlike the number, do not change every year. True, huge areas do not always correspond to our ideas about what a city should be like. Often, the composition of the metropolis includes purely rural areas. A good example is New Moscow, a mostly rural area included in the capital to “unload” the metropolis. Here is a list of the largest cities in the world by area:
Not surprisingly, the largest city in the world by area - Sydney - is located in Australia. This mainland country with an area of 7.7 million km 2 has only 23.2 million people. And the population of Sydney is only 4.8 million. There is a lot of free land in the country, there is where to turn around. For comparison: the population density of Australia is 3.1 people per square kilometer, and Russia, where there is also a lot of free land, is almost three times higher - 8.39 people per square kilometer.
It is possible that the list of the largest cities in the world in terms of population will change, and in the very near future. The rapid growth of the population of South and Southeast Asia, coupled with the ongoing process of urbanization, is causing a rapid increase in the number of megacities located in these countries. The countries where new cities are most likely to appear on the list of the largest are India and Pakistan. But China, most likely, will not present surprises, since the state's policy to reduce the rate of population growth has borne fruit, and the birth rate in the Celestial Empire barely makes up for the natural decline.