Shanghai, China is said to be the world's most populated city.
Urban centers have been proliferating across the world as large
populations settle in cities to take advantage of better economic
opportunities, modern infrastructure, and other amenities. Asian cities
have particularly recorded outstanding growth, and most of the largest
cities are currently situated on the continent such as Shanghai,
Beijing, Dhaka, Tokyo, Delhi, Mumbai, Karachi, and Guangzhou. The only African city on the list is Kinshasa. The source of the figures on this list can be found here.
10. Mumbai - 12.4 million
Mumbai lies on the western coast of the Indian Subcontinent, and has approximately 12.4 million inhabitants. Mumbai developed
around a fort established by the British in the 17th century. Its natural
harbor facilitated its growth, and by the 18th century, Mumbai was home to a
thriving manufacturing sector. The largest population of billionaires and
millionaires for any Indian City reside in Mumbai. Mumbai hosts such important
financial institutions as the Bombay Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of
India. As an art center, Mumbai hosts the Bollywood industry as well as the
Marathi cinema industry.
9. Tianjin - 12.7 million
Tianjin lies in China's northern coastal region, and
it has over 12 million residents. Tianjin developed as a trading center
after
the Grand Canal was opened in the era of the Sui Dynasty. The city saw
particular growth under the Qing Dynasty as well as the Republic of
China, and it has served
as a treaty port since 1860. Tianjin is also a gateway to Beijing, and
European
architecture reflects its colonial history. The city's GDP in 2014 was
1.572
trillion yuan with the highest GDP per capita in the country at $17,126.
8. Manila - 12.8 million
The city of Manila was first founded by the Spanish in 1571.
Because of this, the city is home to many historic sites dating back
hundreds of years as well as a unique mix of architectural styles. The
design of the city was carefully planned by American architect and urban
planner, Daniel Burnham in 1905. Today, the city is the capital of the
Philippines and listed as an alpha-global city.
Manila sits on the shores of Manila Bay, and is renown for its harbor.
The city is prone to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes,
tsunamis, and typhoons.
7. Moscow - 13.1 million
Moscow is Russia's largest city as well as the country's capital.
Situated on the banks of the Moskva River in central Russia, the city
is the world's northernmost megacity. The city has been the seat of
power for a multitude of states before being named as the capital of
Russia and the home of the Government of Russia. The city is known for
its well-developed transit network, large green areas, and stunning
architecture.
6. Tokyo - 13.6 million
Tokyo lies on the eastern coast of Honshu, the largest of
the four islands that make up Japan. The city is the Japanese capital and one
of Japan's forty-seven prefectures. The city was initially called Edo but was
renamed in 1868 when the Japanese imperial family relocated there from Kyoto.
Tokyo's metropolis has an estimated 13,617,445 residents. 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 communities
of Chinese and Koreans. Tokyo is home to headquarters of large corporations and
financial institutions while the manufacturing sector is mainly concentrated in
Yokohama, Chiba, and Kawasaki.
5. Dhaka - 14.5
The city now known as Dhaka has been a prominent commercial
center since the 17th century and has been the capital of several
empires and countries before becoming the capital of the newly
independent Bangladesh in 1971. With a population of 14.5 million
people, it is the largest city in Bangladesh and one of the major cities
of South Asia. The city's population has grown tremendously over the
past several decades emerging as a megacity by the 21st century. It is
the major financial, political, and cultural center of the region.
4. Istanbul - 14.6 million
Istanbul had a fascinating history having been
established around 660 BCE as Byzantion and reestablished in 330 CE as
Constantinople. Istanbul was a capital of the Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and
Ottoman Empires, the latter which transformed it into an Islamic center. The
city was positioned along the infamous Silk Road which facilitated the
settlement of diverse peoples in its territory. Istanbul has over 14 million inhabitants,
and it attracts millions of tourists yearly as one of the most sought-after
European tourist destinations. Istanbul has also earned a reputation as a
historical, arts, cultural, and entertainment hub.
3. Karachi - 18 million
Karachi serves as the capital of Sindh Province, and
its greater metropolitan area has 18 million residents. The city enjoys
strategic location on the Arabian Sea, and it is home to Port Bin Qasim and
Port of Karachi which are among Pakistan's largest ports. The city was
established as a fortified village in 1729 called Kolachi, and it gained
prominence with the occupation of the British. Karachi's residents belong to
different ethnicities, races, and religions making it Pakistan's most diverse
and secular city. Karachi's formal economy was valued at $113 billion in 2014,
and it generates about 20% of the nation's GDP.
2. Beijing - 18.5 million
Beijing is the capital of China, and it sits on the North China plain in the country's north-central region.
The city, also called Peking, has an eventful history from being one of the
Four Great Ancient Capitals of China to foreign occupation as well as civil war
in the 20th century. Beijing established itself as an industrial sector in the
aftermath of the Communist Revolution of 1949. Automobiles, textiles,
petrochemicals, aerospace equipment, and semiconductors are some of the
products produced by the city's industrial sector. Beijing is home to over 20
million residents. As a cultural center, Beijing boasts of seven World Heritage
Sites listed by UNESCO.
1. Shanghai - 24.1 million
Shanghai's population of 24.1 million makes it the top
populous city proper not only in Asia but in the world as well. Shanghai
strategically lies in the Yangtze River Delta and the city's port is ranked as
the world's busiest having handled 37 million TEUs in 2016. Qinglong Town,
founded in 746, preceded Shanghai and it grew as a trading port in Imperial
China. Shanghai's economic potential made it a center of conflict in the 19th
century as the British and French fought to control the city. The Japanese also
invaded Shanghai during the 2nd World War. Shanghai is an economic and trading
hub in modern day China, and it has reported double-digit growth since 1992
excluding the global recession of 2008 and 2009. Shanghai's top three service
sectors are real estate, financial services, and retail while manufacturing
accounts for about 40% of the total output. Shanghai hosts numerous industrial
zones such as the Shanghai Hongqiao Economic and Technological Development
Zone. Shanghai attracts populations of local immigrants as well as foreign settlers
from Japan, the US, and Korea.
What's the Biggest City in the World?
Shanghai is the most populated city in the world with a total
population of 24.1 million people. After Shanghai, the largest cities
are Beijing, Karachi, Istanbul, and Dhaka.
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