Megacities: Urban Areas With Over 10 Million Residents
A megacity is usually defined as a recognized metropolitan area with a total
population in excess of 10 million people.[1] Some definitions also set a
minimum level for population density (at least 2,000 persons/square km). A
megacity can be a single metropolitan area or two or more metropolitan areas
that converge upon one another. In 1950, New York was the only area with a
population of over 10 million [2]. There are 25 such areas as of October, 2005
[3], up one from the beginning of 2005. There were 19 megacities in 2004 and
only nine in 1985. This increase has happened as the world's population moves
towards the high (75-85%) urbanization levels of North America and Western
Europe.
Shenzen (10,700,000), China
Shenzhen is a sub-provincial city of Guangdong province in southern China,
located at the border with Hong Kong. Shenzhen is a mecca of foreign investment
and since the late 1970s has been one of the fastest growing cities in the
world. It is also the busiest port in China. In the past two decades, more than
$30-billion has been invested by outsiders in Shenzhen building factories and
forming joint ventures.
Lagos (11,100,000),
Nigeria
Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria. As only two censuses (in 1972 and
1991) have been taken since independence, estimates of its population vary
considerably, but generally range from 10 to 15.5 million people, making it one
of the most populous cities in Africa. Lagos has grown from a small Yoruba
settlement, and undergone periods of domination by two European powers, to
become the commercial and population center of Nigeria. It is also the former
capital city of Nigeria; it has since been replaced by Abuja. Abuja city
officially gained its status as the capital city of Nigeria on 12 December 1991;
although Lagos was stripped of this title much earlier, it acted as de facto
capital until around 1991.
Paris (11,500,000),
France
Paris is the capital city of France and a French département. Situated on
the banks of the river Seine in north-central France, it is also the capital of
the Île-de-France région (also known as "Paris Region"), which encompasses Paris
and its suburbs. The Paris metropolitan area (including satellite towns) stood
at 11.5 million in 1999[4] and is one of the most populated metropolitan areas
in Europe. The Paris Region is France's most dynamic centre of economic
activity. It produces more than a quarter of France's wealth, with a GDP of
€478.7 billion (US$595.3 billion) in 2005. With La Défense, one of the largest
business districts in Europe, the Paris urban area (unité urbaine) also hosts
the head offices of almost half of the major French companies, as well as the
offices of major international firms. Paris is a leading global cultural,
business and political centre and has a major international influence in
fashion, gastronomy and the arts. It is widely regarded as one of the world's
major global cities, with the headquarters of many international organisations
such as UNESCO, the OECD, the ICC, or the informal Paris Club. The city, which
is renowned for its defining neo-classical architecture, hosts many museums and
galleries and has an active nightlife. The most recognisable symbol of Paris is
the 324 metre (1,063 ft) Eiffel Tower on the banks of the Seine. Dubbed "the
City of Light" (la Ville Lumière) since the 19th century, Paris is widely
regarded as one of the most romantic cities of the planet. It is also the most
visited city in the world, with more than 30 million visitors per year.
Istanbul (11,500,000),
Turkey
Istanbul is Turkey's most populous city, and its cultural, and economic
centre. The city is the capital of Istanbul Province. It is located on the
Bosphorus strait, and encompasses the natural harbor known as the Golden Horn
(Turkish: Haliç), in the northwest of the country. Istanbul extends both on the
European (Thrace) and on the Asian (Anatolia) side of the Bosphorus, and is
thereby the only metropolis in the world which is situated on two continents. he
census bureau estimate for July 20, 2005 is 11,322,000 for the province, which
is generally considered as the metropolitan area, making it one of the twenty
largest metropolitan areas in the world. The city was chosen as the European
Capital of Culture for 2010 (along with Pécs, Hungary and Essen, Germany).
Tehran (11,850,000),
Iran
Tehran has a land area of 658 square kilometers, is the capital city of Iran
and the center of Tehran Province. More than half of the country's industry is
based there. Industries include the manufacturing of automobiles, electronics
and electrical equipment, military weaponry, textiles, sugar, cement, and
chemical products. It is also a leading center for the sale of carpets and
furniture. Tehran is a sprawling city at the foot of the Alborz mountain range
with an immense network of highways unparalleled in western Asia. It is also the
hub of the country's railway network. The city has numerous large museums, art
centers, palace complexes and cultural centers.
London (12,000,000),
England
London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. An
important settlement for around two millennia, London is today one of the
world's most important business and financial centres and its involvement in
politics, culture, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts all
contribute to its status as one of the key global cities. London is the largest
and most populous city in the European Union. Its population is very
cosmopolitan, drawing from a diverse range of peoples, cultures and religions,
speaking over 300 different languages. Residents of London are referred to as
Londoners. London is an international transport hub, with five international
airports and a large port. It serves as the largest aviation hub in the world[,
and its principal airport, Heathrow, carries more international passengers than
any other. London is a major tourist destination - counting iconic landmarks
such as the Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster
Abbey, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye amongst its many attractions, along
with famous institutions such as the British Museum and the National Gallery.
London has several nicknames such as 'The City of Cities' and 'Old London Town',
though no defining one. Samuel Johnson once remarked that "When a man is tired
of London he is tired of life".
Beijing (12,100,000), China
Beijing, a city in northern China, is the capital of the People's Republic
of China (PRC). It was formerly known in English as Peking. Beijing is also one
of the four municipalities of the PRC, which are equivalent to provinces in
China's administrative structure. Beijing Municipality borders Hebei Province to
the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin
Municipality to the southeast. Beijing is China's second largest city in terms
of population, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of
railways, roads and expressways entering and leaving it in all directions. It is
also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is
recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the People's
Republic of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields.
Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It will also host
the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Rio De Janeiro (12,150,000), Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is the name of both a state and a city in southeastern
Brazil. The city was the capital of Brazil (1763-1960) and of the Portuguese
Empire (1808-1821). Commonly known as just Rio (particularly in English and by
its inhabitants), the city is also nicknamed A Cidade Maravilhosa - "The
Marvelous City". It is famous for its spectacular natural setting, its Carnival
celebrations, samba and other music, hotel-lined tourist beaches, such as
Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon, pavements decorated with black and cream swirl
pattern mosaics, and the easygoing lifestyle of its inhabitants. Some of the
most famous local landmarks in addition to the beaches include the giant statue
of Jesus, known as Christ the Redeemer ('Cristo Redentor') atop Corcovado
mountain; Sugar Loaf mountain (Pão de Açúcar) with its cable car; the Sambódromo,
a giant permanent parade stand used during Carnival; and Maracanã stadium, one
of the world's largest. Rio also boasts the world's largest forest inside an
urban area, called Floresta da Tijuca, or 'Tijuca Forest'.It is Brazil's
second-largest city after São Paulo and was the country's capital until 1960,
when Brasília took its place.
Dhaka (13,250,000), Bangladesh
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the Dhaka District. Located on the
banks of the Buriganga River, Modern Dhaka is the centre of political, cultural
and economic life in Bangladesh, enjoying the highest literacy rate amongst
other Bangladeshi cities and a diverse economy. While the urban infrastructure
is the most developed in the country, Dhaka suffers from severe challenges such
as pollution, congestion, supply shortages, poverty and crime. In recent decades
Dhaka has seen a modernisation of transport, communications and public works.
The city is attracting considerable foreign investment, greater volumes of
commerce and trade and an increasing influx of people from across the nation.
Buenos Aires (13,450,000),
Argentina
Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina and its largest city and port. It
is on the southern shore of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of
the South American continent, opposite Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay. Strongly
influenced by European culture, Buenos Aires is sometimes referred to as the
"Paris of the South" or "Paris of South America". It is one of the most
sophisticated cities in Latin America, renowned for its architecture, night
life, and cultural activities. After the internal conflicts of the 19th century,
Buenos Aires was federalised and removed from Buenos Aires Province; its city
limits were enlarged to include the former towns of Belgrano and Flores — both
are now neighbourhoods in the city. Argentines sometimes refer to the city as
Capital Federal to differentiate the city from the province of the same name. In
the 1994 constitution, it was declared an autonomous city, hence its formal
denomination: Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires.
Moscow (13,750,000),
Russia
Moscow is the capital of Russia and the country's principal political,
economic, financial, educational, and transportation center, located on the
Moskva River. The city's population constitutes about 7% of the total Russian
population. The city is in the Central Federal District, located in the western
part of the Russian Federation. Historically, its position was central in the
Russian homeland. It was the capital of the former Soviet Union and Muscovite
Russia, the pre-Imperial Russian state. It is the site of the famous Kremlin,
which now serves as the ceremonial residence of the President. Moscow's
architectural and performing arts culture are world-renowned. Moscow is also
well known as the site of Saint Basil's Cathedral, with its elegant onion domes,
as well as the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The Patriarch of Moscow, whose
residence is the Danilov Monastery, serves as the head of the Russian Orthodox
Church. Moscow also remains a major economic center and is home to a large
number of billionaires; it is perennially considered one of the most expensive
cities in the world. It is home to many scientific and educational institutions,
as well as numerous sport facilities. It possesses a complex transport system
that includes the world's busiest metro system, which is famous for its
architecture.
Karachi (14,300,000),
Pakistan
Karachi is the capital of the province of Sindh, and the most populated city
in Pakistan, sometimes known as the City of Quaid, after Muhammad Ali Jinnah the
founder of Pakistan. It is located on the coast of the Arabian Sea in
southeastern Pakistan, northwest of the Indus Delta. The city is the financial
and commercial centre as well as the largest port of Pakistan. The site of an
ancient community of fishing villages, the modern port-city of Karachi was
developed by authorities of the British Raj in the 19th century. Upon the
creation of Pakistan in 1947, the city was selected to become the national
capital, and was exposed to a massive influx of immigrants from India, which
radically expanded the city's population and transformed the demographics and
economy. Karachi has faced major infrastructural and socio-economic challenges,
but modern industries and businesses have developed in the city, and the
population expanded even after the capital was moved to Islamabad in August
1960. Karachi is the most ethnically and religiously diverse city in the nation.
In the 1980s and early 1990s, Karachi witnessed a major influx of refugees from
the war in Afghanistan, and increasing political and sectarian violence between
the Punjabi and Sindhi communities, and the Mohajirs (descendants of immigrants
from India). The intervention of the Pakistani army and martial law scarred the
city, but a national economic boom in the early 21st century has resulted in
economic growth and prosperity for the city. As of 2006 Karachi has an estimated
population of 11.5 million.
Manila (14,950,000),
Philippines
The City of Manila or simply Manila, is the capital of the Philippines. The
city is located on the eastern shore of Manila Bay on Luzon, the country's
largest island. Manila is the hub of a thriving metropolitan area home to over
10 million people. The Metro Manila area also known as the National Capital
Region (NCR), of which the City of Manila is a part, is a much bigger metropolis
consisting of 17 cities and municipalities.
Cairo (15,600,000),
Egypt
Cairo is the capital city of Egypt (previously the United Arab Republic). It
has a metropolitan area population of approximately 15.6 million people. Cairo
is the seventeenth most populous metropolitan area in the world (the 10th
according to 2004 statistics). Cairo is also the most populous metropolitan area
and the most populous city in Africa.
Kolkata (15,650,000),
India
Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of the Indian state of West
Bengal. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly.
The city has an extended metropolitan population of over 14 million, making it
the third-largest urban agglomerationin India.
The city served as the capital in India during the British Raj until 1911. Once
the centre of modern education, science, culture and politics in India, Kolkata
witnessed economic stagnation in the years following India's independence in
1947. Since 2000 however, an economic rejuvenation has arrested the morbid
decline, leading to a spurt in the city's growth. Like other large cities,
Kolkata continues to struggle with urbanisation problems like poverty, pollution
and traffic congestion. A vibrant city with a distinct socio-political culture,
Kolkata is noted for its revolutionary history, ranging from the Indian struggle
for independence to the leftist and trade union movements. Referred to as the
"Cultural Capital of India", "The City of Processions", and the "City of Joy",
Kolkata has been home to luminaries such as Rabindranath Tagore, Ronald Ross,
Subhas Chandra Bose, Mother Teresa, Satyajit Ray, Satyendranath Bose, Swami
Vivekananda and many others.
Jakarta (16,550,000),
Indonesia
Jakarta (also Djakarta or DKI Jakarta), formerly known as Sunda Kelapa,
Jayakarta and Batavia is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Located on
the northwest coast of the island of Java, it has an area of 661.52 km². Jakarta
has been developed for more than 490 years and currently is the ninth most dense
city in the world with 44,283 people per square mile. Its metropolitan area is
called Jabotabek and contains more than 16 million people, and it comprises an
even larger Jakarta-Bandung megalopolis. Jakarta is served by the Soekarno-Hatta
International Airport. Since 2002, Jakarta, under the governance of Sutiyoso,
has developed its new transportation system, which is known as "TransJakarta" or
"Busway" and in 2007, Jakarta will establish its newest transportation system,
the Jakarta Monorail. Jakarta also is the location of the Jakarta Stock Exchange
and the National Monument.
Osaka (16,800,000),
Japan
Osaka is the capital of Osaka Prefecture and the third-largest city in
Japan, with a population of 2.7 million. It is located in the Kansai region of
the main island of Honshu, at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay. Osaka is
the historical commercial capital of Japan and is still one of Japan's major
industrial centers and ports, the heart of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan
area, which has a population of 16,844,000 . The city's daytime (9 a.m. – 5
p.m.) population is second in Japan after Tokyo.
Los Angeles (18,000,000),
California
Los Angeles, known as "L.A." or the "City of Angels", is the most populous
city in the state of California and the second-most in the United States. One of
the world's major global cities, it is located in Southern California. Spanning
498 square miles, it is the core cultural and economic center of the Greater Los
Angeles metropolitan area, a region home to over 18 million people, as well as
the world's 10th largest economy. Los Angeles is one of the country's most
important centers of culture, science, technology, international trade, and
higher education, and is home to numerous world-renowned institutions in a broad
range of professional and cultural fields. In addition, the city is arguably the
world's leading producer of popular entertainment—such as motion pictures,
television, and recorded music—which forms the base of its international fame
and global status.
Shanghai (18,150,000), China
Shanghai, situated on the banks of the Yangtze River Delta in East China, is
the largest city of the People's Republic of China and the eighth largest in the
world. Widely regarded as the citadel of China's modern economy, the city also
serves as one of the most important cultural, commercial, financial, industrial
and communications centers of China. Administratively, Shanghai is a
municipality of the People's Republic of China that has province-level status.
Shanghai is also one of the world's busiest ports, and became the largest cargo
port in the world in 2005.
Delhi (19,700,000),
India
Delhi is a metropolis in northern India. The name Delhi also refers to the
National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) pronunciation (help·info), which is a
special union territory jointly administered by the Central government, the NCT
elected government and three municipal corporations. The metropolis of Delhi and
the National Capital Territory of Delhi are coextensive and for most practical
purposes they are considered to be the same entity. New Delhi, an urban area
within the metropolis of Delhi, is the seat of the Government of India. Delhi is
the sixth most populous metropolis in the world with a population of 15.3
million (2005 figure). Delhi's metropolitan area, informally known as the
National Capital Region (NCR), comprises of the NCT and the neighbouring
satellite towns of Faridabad and Gurgaon in Haryana, and Noida and Ghaziabad in
Uttar Pradesh making it the sixth most populous agglomeration in the world, with
an estimated population of 19.7 million[1].
Mumbai (19,850,000),
India
Mumbaī, formerly known as Bombay, is the capital of the state of Maharashtra,
and the most populous city of India. Mumbai is located on the west coast of
Maharashtra. Along with its neighbouring suburbs, it forms the world's fifth
most populous metropolitan area with a population of about 20 million. The city
has a deep natural harbour and the port handles over half of India's passenger
traffic and a significant amount of cargo. Mumbai is the commercial and
entertainment capital of India, and houses important financial institutions,
such as the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the
National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) and the corporate headquarters of many
Indian companies. Mumbai has attracted migrants from all over India because of
the immense business opportunities, and the relatively high standard of living,
making the city a potpourri of various communities and cultures. The city is
home to India's Hindi film and television industry, known as Bollywood. Mumbai
is also one of the rare cities to accommodate a national park, the Sanjay Gandhi
National Park, within its city limits.
Sao Paulo (20,200,000), Brazil
São Paulo is the capital of the state of São Paulo in southeastern Brazil.
It is located 400 km (250 miles) from Rio de Janeiro, and 1,030 km (640 miles)
from federal capital Brasília. The city has an area of 1,523.0 square kilometres
(588.0 sq. miles) [1] and with 19 million people living in the greater
metropolitain area, the city makes it the largest and most populous city in the
Southern Hemisphere. However, when the many adjacent metropolitan areas, such as
Baixada Santista, São José dos Campos, Campinas, Sorocaba, etc. are included,
such as in the Extended Metropolitan Area (Complexo Metropolitano Estendido) São
Paulo, there are nearly 29 million inhabitants, more than any other city in the
world except Tokyo with 35 million.
New York City (21,900,000), New York
New York City (officially the City of New York) is the largest city in the
United States and one of the world's major global cities. Located in the state
of New York, the city has a population of over 8.1 million within an area of 321
square miles (approximately 830 km²),[making it the most densely populated major
city in North America. With a population of 18.7 million, the New York
Metropolitan Area is one of the largest urban areas in the world, yet New York
has the lowest crime rate among major United States cities. New York City is an
international center for business, finance, fashion, medicine, entertainment,
media, and culture, with an extraordinary collection of museums, galleries,
performance venues, media outlets, international corporations, and financial
markets. The city is also home to the headquarters of the United Nations, and to
many of the world's most famous skyscrapers. Popularly known as the Big Apple or
the City That Never Sleeps, the city attracts people from all over the globe who
come for New York City's economic opportunity, culture, and fast-paced
cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Seoul (22,200,000),
South Korea
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea (Republic of Korea).
The city's name derives from the ancient Korean word Seorabeol or Seobeol,
meaning "capital city". The city has been known in the past by the successive
names Wiryeseong , Hanyang and Hanseong. The city served as the capital during
the Baekje and Joseon Dynasties. Upon the establishment of the Republic of Korea
in 1948, Seoul became the capital once again and was designated the nation's
only Special City. Seoul is located in the northwest of South Korea on the Han
River, only about 30 miles (~50 km) from the de-militarized zone (DMZ) border
shared with North Korea.
Mexico City (22,800,000),
Mexico
Mexico City is the capital city of the nation of Mexico. The "Distrito
Federal" is also commonly referred to as the "D.F." It is one of the largest
cities in the world and is classed as a megalopolis as it encompasses one large
city that has slowly engulfed other, smaller ones. It is located in the Valley
of Mexico (Valle de México), a large valley in the high plateaus (altiplano) at
the center of Mexico, about 2,240 meters (7,349 feet) above sea-level,
surrounded on most sides by volcanoes towering at 4,000 to 5,500 meters (13,000
to 18,000 feet) above sea-level. In a broader meaning, "Mexico City" refers to
the whole metropolitan area of Greater Mexico City. The metropolitan area
extends beyond the limits of the D.F. and encompasses (as of 2000) 35
independent municipalities located in the State of México (Estado de México), to
the north, east, and west of the D.F., extending as far north as the State of
Hidalgo. The metropolitan area of Greater Mexico City had 22.8 million
inhabitants at the 2000 Mexican census. This means Mexico City is among the five
most populated metropolitan areas in the world on par with Tokyo, New York City,
Seoul and São Paulo.
Tokyo (34,200,000),
Japan
The Greater Tokyo Area is a large metropolitan area in Japan consisting of
the Japanese prefectures Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, and Tokyo (at the center). It
is the largest metropolitan area in the world by population (35,327,000 at 2005
estimate), covering an area of approximately 13,500 km² (5,200 mi²). It is the
second largest in the world in terms of built-up or urban function landmass at
7,000 km² (2,700 mi²). (Only the urban area surrounding New York City at 8,700
km² is larger). It has 27 cities with 200,000 people or more, 17 cities with at
least 300,000 people (as compared to just 4 in Greater Los Angeles), and 8 with
over 500,000 people, and the only city in the world to have a suburb with more
than 3 million people. Like most metropolitans areas, the actual population size
depends on definition. While the four-prefecture definition is the most commonly
used measure, the official Japan Statistics Bureau definition of the area
measures within 50 and 70 kilometres of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Offices in Shinjuku, resulting in a lower population estimate (as of 2000) of
30,724,000 and 34,394,000 respectively.
