Top 10 Most Populated Cities In The World
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Many thousands of years ago, when humanity was still in the hunter-gatherer phase, people started realizing the advantages of banding together and forming villages. Over time the rural populations of the world joined together against their common enemies: wild animals, famine, extreme weather - and the concept of urbanization was formed.
The world's population quickly started moving from a rural to an urban way of life, and by 2008 about half the world's population was living in cities. It's predicted that by 2050 around 65% of third world countries, and 86% of first world countries, will be living in cities. Already this trend has formed many mega-cities with populations over 10 million people.
These megacities have become so large that they often lead to terrible pollution, traffic, and extreme poverty. Population control is a growing issue in these cities, and, despite all this, many of these megacities have a rich culture, and special life all of their own.
Delhi, India
Population: 11,007,835
Located in Northern India, Delhi is the largest city in terms of area in India, and second-largest in terms of population. It's the largest commercial and financial center in Northern India, and is considered one of the fastest growing cities in the region. About 82% of Delhi's population is Hindu, although there are many Muslims (11%), Sikhs (4%) and even Christians (~0.8%).
Delhi is a cultural delight, home to many significant monuments such as the Jama Masjid, the Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb. The city also contains many markets and shopping plazas such as Chandni Chowk, the cities oldest and busiest market.
Guangzhou, China
Population: 11,070,654
Formerly known as Canton, Guangzhou is the capital and largest city in the province of Guangdong, China. The city is a central hub for transportation and trading, being located on the shores of the Pearl river, nearby to both Hong Kong and Macau. In its history the city has undergone many revolutions and reforms and has played a pivotal role in shaping modern China.
The city is hailed as a shopping Mecca, and travellers often flock to the city for its huge selection of markets and shopping centers specializing in all made-in-China products such as teas, clothing, electronics, jewelry and more. Despite its status as a shoppers heaven, the city offers many sightseeing attractions as well, such as some of the oldest Chinese temples, imperial tombs, one of the oldest parks in China; the city also boasts some of the most modern and inspiring architecture in the country.
São Paulo, Brazil
Population: 11,376,685
Named after the Saint Paul of Tarsus, São Paulo is the largest city in South America, and a significant influence on the world's financial and cultural stage. Being the richest of the cities in South America, the city nevertheless contains stark inequalities between its citizen classes, resulting in impoverished areas standing side-by-side with wealthy neighborhoods.
The city is often underrated as a tourist destination, with the likes of Rio De Janeiro and Salvator drawing more interest from tourists, but the unique heritage, culture and architecture of the city make this a place well-worth visiting.
Beijing, China
Population: 11,716,000
With almost 120 million Chinese tourists and 4.4 million international visitors every year, Beijing is among the world's most popular tourist destinations - and for good reason. The city is a sea of modernity, often surprising visitors with its sheer amount of high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. In Beijing there truly is something for everyone, from the awe-inspiring Forbidden City to the concrete jungle of Tian'anmen Square, and Qianmen, a bustling market alive with the sounds of haggling leading into the Temple of Heaven, a symbol of Beijing.
Moscow, Russia
Population: 11,977,988
Moscow is a city on a mission to outdo the rest of the world - it boasts the most billionaires in the world, is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, and is even on its way to having the largest building in the world. The city is alive with energy and culture, and is one of the only cities in Russia that is truly free from censorship by the government - for this reason the younger generation flock to the city despite how expensive and difficult it is to live there.
The culture and nightlife in Moscow is unparalleled in the region, with many world-class venues, musuems, art galleries, coffee shops, boutiques, wine bars, and a whole lot more to be found in the confines of the city. The ancient city is a must for anyone interested in history, where you can visit the Kremlin, home to the Russian President and one of many World Heritage Sites in the city.
Tehran, Iran
Population: 12,223,598
Since being declared the capital city of Iran in the 1800s, Tehran saw a massive migration from people throughout Iran, leading to its current status as the world's 5th largest city. The citizens identify themselves as Persian, and speak in a Tehrani accent of Persian - only around 13% of the population speak a language other than Persian.
Tehran is an old city steeped in tradition and unique architecture dating as far back as 6,000 BC. The city features many tourist attractions, from museums to art exhibitions, and even the Imperial Crown Jewels of Persia, claimed to be the largest and most dazzling collection of jewelry in the world. Cinema is very popular amongst the younger generation, and beautiful parks and lakes adourn the city, bringing a dose of much-needed greenery into the largely concrete jungle that is Tehran.
Mumbai, India
Population: 12,478,447
Located in Western India, the city is the capital of the Maharashtra state, and the economic and financial hub of India. The noisy, bustling streets of Mumbai (formerly Bombay) are the first things you'll encounter when first entering this exuberant city. Here you'll find a hodgepodge of luxurious wealth and extreme poverty, often located side-by-side, usually in stark contrast to one another. An ocean of humanity daily awakens to drive through some of the worst traffic, smog and pollution in the world on their way to work in the financial districts, or Bollywood, India's answer to Hollywood.
It takes a couple of days to get over the shell-shock of madness that is Mumbai, but once you're ready to explore the city you'll discover a city steeped in culture, filled with art and museums, swarming bazaars, and people who are at once friendly and ethnically diverse.
Karachi, Pakistan
Population: 12,991,000
Often considered the financial and cultural center of Pakistan, Karachi is also one of the most densely populated cities in the country with an average 6,000 people per square kilometer. The city is a hub for higher education in Southern Asia and considered the go-to place for education in the Muslim world. Having lost its capital status when Islamabad was constructed to spread development to other areas of the country instead of it being concentrated in one city, Karachi is still home to the largest and busiest ports in the country, and people still flock to the city every year, leading to dramatic increases in population.
The city's cuisine is made up of traditional Pakistani food consisting mainly of meat, curries, and lentils. The architecture of the city is distinctive, and even eccentric, and many tall buildings have been constructed to make up a beautiful Karachi skyline.
Istanbul, Turkey
Population: 13,854,740
Steeped in Roman history from the days of the Ottoman empire, Istanbul is a unique combination of wonderful Byzantine architecture, loud and bustling markets, and a nightlife setting that would put Vegas to shame. Located near one of the busiest waterways in the world, the Bosphorus, the city provides amazing views to Palaces and yalis, large Mansions by the water.
The Turkish cuisine is well represented in the city, which boasts a massive selection of fantastic restaurants. At the end of the day, the Istanbul nightlife is where it's at, and the best reason to visit the city. The Bosphorus boasts a huge array of nightclubs, bars, and parties by the water and, if you enjoy Turkish Pop, you'll feel right at home at the numerous music venues in the city.
Shanghai, China
Population: 17,836,133
Known as the cultural and economic center of Eastern Asia, Shanghai is often considered the most modern of China's cities. Boasting some of the most modern architecture in the world, the city is home to the Shanghai World Financial Center, the tallest skyscraper in China, and third tallest in the world.
The city is a truly fascinating blend of Eastern and Western culture, with a strong cosmopolitan feel in many areas of the city. Take note, in the past few years the city has become extremely expensive for living and travel, as real-estate prices have skyrocketed due to high demand.
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