Urban centres have been proliferating across the world. As people generally settle in large cities to take advantage of better economic opportunities, modern infrastructure, and other amenities. However, Asian cities have recorded outstanding growth and development, and most of the largest cities of the world are undoubted, situated in Asia. We will list down largest cities in the world on the basis of metropolitan areas population that is based on the concept of labour market area which further means an employment core, an area with a high density of available jobs and also surrounding areas that have strong commuting ties to the core. Here are the top 10 15 largest cities in the world,
Largest Cities in the World
1. Tokyo, Japan: 37,832,892
Tokyo, the capital city of Japan is one of Japan’s forty-seven prefectures. Initially, the city was popularly known as Edo but was later renamed in 1868 when the Japanese imperial family relocated there from Kyoto. Tokyo is home to fifty-one of the Fortune Global 500 firms, and it is ranked 4th in the Global Cities Index. The inhabitants of Tokyo are almost all Japanese with some communities of Chinese and Koreans.
Tokyo is home to the headquarters of many large corporations and financial institutions such as Yokohama, Chiba, and Kawasaki and many more. One of the most visited cities in the world has headquarters of large corporations and financial institutions, however, the manufacturing sector is mainly concentrated in Yokohama, Chiba, and Kawasaki.
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2. Dehli, India: 35,454,000
Delhi or the National Capital Territory (NCT) is the capital city of India. Delhi is the third most populous city in the world with a population of about 35,454,000 million. Also, it is one of the largest cities in India in terms of geographical area.
Due to its economic potential and the existence of a large number of favourable opportunities for the people, there has been a tremendous development in transport, education and other facilities offered by the government and other agencies in Delhi. The city is divided into two regions old Delhi in the north and New Delhi that has been declared as its capital in the 20th century.
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3. Shanghai, China: 34,865,252
Shanghai, the most populous city in China and the most populous city in the world as well as a population of more than 34,865,252 million. Shanghai, however, is a renowned international metropolis and a global financial centre and a transport hub with the world’s busiest container port. Situated on the estuary of the Yangtze River, it is one of the most influential economic, financial, and richest cities in Easternmost parts of China.
The city reported a double-digit growth rate since 1992 except during the recession of 2008 and 2009. The main services of Shanghai include real estate, financial services, and retail, however, manufacturing accounts for 40% of the total output. The city has many industrial zones namely Shanghai Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development Zone.
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4. Jakarta, Indonesia: 31,689,592
The capital of the Republic of Indonesia located on the North West coast of the Indonesian Island, Java. One of the largest cities in the world is also the busiest destination both in terms of tourism and commerce. Talking about history, it was known as Sunda Kelpa from year 397 to 1527.
Later, it was named as Jayakarta from the year 1527 to 1619. Then, in 1619 in was named Batavia and called it by the same name till 1942 because again in 1942, the name was changed to Djakarta and finally, in 1972 it got its present name Jakarta. The city has faced many different natural calamities and hence the city depth has now sunk by 150 centimetres.
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5. Seoul, South Korea: 25,514,000
The official name of one of the largest cities in the world in Seoul Special Metropolitan City. It is situated on the northwest part of South Korea on the Han River. The city is bordered by eight mountains along with Han River plain and western areas. Talking about the history, settlement along the Han River area started around 4000 BC. During the end of the 19th century, after a hundred years of isolation, the city opened its gates to foreigners and began to modernize.
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6. Guangzhou, China: 25,000,000
One of the most beautifully preserved and largest cities, Guangzhou situated in the heart of China. The major port city and the capital of Guangdong Province are famous across the globe. The third largest city in China is also listed as one of China’s five National Central Cities.
Talking about the history, Guangzhou was earlier known as Canton and there are people who called it as Panyu and expected to established in 214 BC. After the progression, the city named as Guangzhou. The oldest mosque of China located in Guangzhou named as the Huaisheng Mosque was built by Mohammed’s Uncle Abi Waqqas. He visited China as part of the first Muslim mission in the 630s.
7. Beijing, China: 24,900,000
Beijing is the third largest of the four directly controlled municipalities of the People’s Republic of China. With a population of about 24,900,000, it is the second largest city in the world. Beijing, the capital city of China is a unique combination of traditional and modern architecture and is situated in the northern part of the People’s Republic of China.
The Population of Beijing is increasing every year and the government is looking for a solution to control and reduce the Population of Beijing as well as China in the upcoming years. The city is an important part of economic development since it produces products like Automobiles, textiles, aerospace equipment, semiconductors and petrochemicals. Also, Beijing has seven World Heritage Sites listed by UNESCO.
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8. Manila, Philippines: 24,650,000
One of the most densely populated and largest cities in the world, Manila capital of Philippines has mostly a predominantly Catholic population and the city has also several centuries-old churches located across the city. The oldest Chinatown founded in the 16th century as a community for Chinese Catholics. The oldest university in Asia named the University of Santo Tomas in Sampaloc was founded in 1611. Also, it is the largest Catholic University in the world in terms of the student population.
9. New York, The United States: 23,876,155
Reports state that the statistical figures of New York, New York and Newark, New Jersey will grow upto 19,885,000 by 2030, however, the growth could be slow. The cities are among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centres. It has some of the iconic sites includes skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. The city is home to the headquarters of the United States and one of the fastest paced city in the world.
10. Shenzhen, China: 23,300,000
One of the wealthiest and largest cities in the world, Shenzhen is one of the important places in Guangdong Province. The city is known for its thriving nightlife and amazing myriad theme parks. Initially, the city was a small market town of just 30,000 people situated on the Kowloon–Canton Railway, however, later in 1979 Shenzhen was transformed to city status and in 1980, the city was designated as China’s first Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Now, it is the world’s largest manufacturing hub and one of the richest cities in the world.
11. Mexico City, Mexico: 21,650,668
Mexico city with a population of 21,650,668 is one of the most densely populated cities in the country. However, as per the reports it is predicted that in 2030 Mexico city will have a population of 23,865,000. The city is famous for a 13th-century Aztec temple known as Templo Mayor, the baroque Catedral Metropolitana de México of the Spanish conquistadors and the Palacio Nacional. The Palacio Nacional is considered to be houses of historic murals by Diego Rivera. All these spots are situated on the massive main square also known as the Zocalo. The capital city of Mexico is one of the most important financial and cultural hubs of the country.
12. Sao Paulo, Brazil: 21,242,939
As per the United Nations population report, Asia and Africa will see enormous growth in the coming decades. Sao Paulo is the 5th largest city in the world with a population of 21,242,939, however, it is predicted that by 2030, the city will have a population of 23,444,00. The city is the vibrant financial centre of Brazil and known for its cultural institutions and a rich architectural tradition.
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13. Lagos, Nigeria: 21,000,000
Lagos is one of the fastest growing and largest cities in the world situated in Africa. It is popularly known as “Eko” “Lag” or “Lasgidi” is one of the 36 states of Nigeria. The city accommodates people of all tribes, cultures, religions and languages in Nigeria and from Abroad too. Because of the recent development in land, sea, air and rail transport, the city has become the commercial entity of Nigeria. To the people of Nigeria, the city has been divided into two parts Lagos mainland and Lagos Island, the Lagos mainland is more populated than Lagos island.
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14. Mumbai, India: 20,748,395
Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra is the most crowded city in India and the 10th most crowded agglomeration on the planet, with an estimated population of about 20,748,395. The city standout among the most populated urban districts on the planet and the 2nd most crowded metropolitan zone in India.
Popularly referred to as the city that never sleeps; Mumbai is the industrial, financial, and celluloid hub of India, hence derive the reputation of being the financial capital of the country and has the major contribution in the GDP of the country. The city is home to the largest number of population of billionaires and millionaires of the country. It is also headquarters of important financial institutions like the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India.
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15. Cairo, Egypt: 20,500,000
One of the major cities of the country from the past thousands of years is also one of the populous and largest cities in the world with a population of 19,128,000. However, it is predicted that by 2030, the city will have a population of 24,502,000 people.
The city is set along the Nile river and the heart of the city includes some major points like Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum. The artefacts of royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun can be seen there. Giza site is nearby to the Cairo city that has some iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. The city is home to many international media, businesses, and organizations.
These are the largest cities in the world by population. Do post your comments.
