Exploring cities is an extremely interesting activity. Each of them has its own history, and they are all so different: industrial giants, resort areas and tiny provincial towns. But among them there are largest cities in the world by area and. Who entered our top 10 - we will find out further.

We note right away that it is rather difficult to determine the boundaries of the territories of modern cities and rank the largest of them. To be as accurate as possible, the researchers use the so-called light imprint - this is the area of ​​​​artificial illumination of the settlement and its suburbs from the height of the aircraft. Satellite maps are also used, which clearly show cities and rural areas that are not included in them.

Area 1580 km²

The capital of foggy Albina opens the list of the largest cities in the world in terms of area. It is the largest metropolis in the European Union and the leading financial, political and economic center of the country. It covers an area of ​​about 1580 square kilometers. London is a favorite place for visiting tourists who want to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the famous Royal Guards and many other equally interesting sights.

Area 2037 km²

Ninth place in the ranking of the largest cities in the world in terms of area - Sydney. It covers an area of ​​2037 square kilometers. In many ratings, it occupies a leading position as the largest metropolis. The fact is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics includes the nearest national parks and the Blue Mountains in Sydney. As a result, the formal territory of Sydney is 12,145 square kilometers. Be that as it may, it is the largest metropolis in Australia and Oceania.

Area 2189 km²

In 8th place among the largest cities in the world in terms of area is located, covering an area of ​​​​2189 square kilometers. The capital of Japan is the most important economic, political and cultural center of the Land of the Rising Sun. Tokyo is an incredibly beautiful city in which modernity and antiquity are closely intertwined. Here, next to ultra-modern high-rise buildings, you can find tiny houses on narrow streets, as if descended from old engravings. Despite the strongest earthquake in 1923 and the destruction caused to the city during World War II, Tokyo is one of the fastest growing modern cities.

Area 3530 km²

The Pakistani port city with an area of ​​3530 square kilometers ranks 7th in the list of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. This is the first capital of Pakistan and the main industrial, financial and commercial center of the state. At the beginning XVIII century Karachi was a small fishing village. After the capture of Karachi by the British troops, the village quickly turned into a major port city. Since that time, it has grown and played an increasingly important role in the country's economy. Nowadays, due to the influx of migrants, overcrowding has become one of the main problems of the metropolis.

Area 4662 km²

- in 6th place in the list of the largest cities in the world in terms of area. The capital of Russia is considered the second largest city in Europe after Istanbul. The area of ​​the metropolis is 4662 square kilometers. It is not only the political and financial, but also the cultural center of the country, which attracts a huge number of tourists.

Area 5343 km²

The center of trade and industry, as well as the main port of Turkey with an area of ​​​​5343 square kilometers, is in 5th place in the ranking of the largest cities in the world. It is located in a picturesque place - on the banks of the Bosphorus. Istanbul is a unique city, which at one time was the capital of four great empires and is located immediately in Asia and Europe. There are many beautiful monuments of antiquity here: the thousand-year-old St. Sophia Cathedral, the majestic Blue Mosque, the luxurious Dolmabahce Palace. Istanbul strikes with an abundance of a wide variety of museums. Since most of them are located in the center, it is convenient for many tourists to combine their visit with walks around this beautiful city.

Area 5802 km²

It occupies the fourth place in the ranking of the largest megacities in the world in terms of area. The city is located on an area of ​​5802 square kilometers. The city received the status of the capital of the Republic of Brazil relatively recently - in 1960. The construction of the metropolis was planned in such a way as to attract the population to sparsely populated areas and develop them. Therefore, Brazil is located far from the main economic and political centers of the country.

Area 6340 km²

With a territory of 6340 square kilometers, it ranks third in the list of the largest cities in the world in terms of area. Shanghai has about 24 million people. This is one of the most interesting and unusual Chinese cities. We can say that it reflects modern China - energetic, fast-growing and focused on the future. Shanghai is one of the largest shopping centers in the world.

Area 7434 km²

With an area of ​​7,434.4 square kilometers, the Chinese metropolis ranks second in the ranking of the largest cities in the world. It is the industrial, political and cultural center of the southern regions of China. The population is approximately 21 million people. Guangzhou has a thousand years of history. Earlier in Europe the city was known as Canton. The maritime part of the Great Silk Road began from here. From time immemorial, the city has given refuge to all oppositionists to state power and often became the center of unrest against the power of the Peking emperors.

Area 16,801 km²

The largest city in the world by area is one of the most significant settlements in China. The total area of ​​the giant metropolis is 16,801 square kilometers. Almost 22 million people live in Beijing. The city harmoniously combines antiquity and modernity. It has been the residence of Chinese rulers for three millennia. Ancient monuments are carefully preserved in the very center of the metropolis, where everyone can admire them. Particularly interesting is the former residence of the emperors of China, the Forbidden City. This is the main attraction of the city, which is visited annually by more than 7 million tourists from all over the world.

Preserving ancient and medieval buildings and monuments, Beijing is developing as a modern high-tech metropolis.

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.

chongqing

hangzhou

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, 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, the six harmonies Liuhe pagoda, the Baochu pagoda .

hangzhou

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.

Beijing

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.

Brisbane

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.

Sydney

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, princess theater.

Melbourne

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.

Kinshasa

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.

Naypyidaw

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.

Istanbul

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.

Anchorage

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.

Karachi

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.

Moscow

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.

Shanghai

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.

Lima

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).

Sao Paulo

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.

mexico city

New York

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 objects of the city are: the Statue of Liberty, the Manhattan district, the central station, the central park, Broadway street, Brighton Beach.

New York

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.

Bogota

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.

London

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.

Rio de Janeiro

St. 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.

St. Petersburg

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.

Barcelona

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.

There are cities in the world with a large population. And nothing else if the city occupies a large territory, and the population density in it is small. And if the city has very little land? It happens after all, that the country is small, but around the city there are rocks and the sea? So the city has to build up. At the same time, the population per square kilometer is growing rapidly. The city goes from simple to densely populated. We immediately note that it is population density that is taken into account here, while there are other ratings, where megacities are located by area, number of inhabitants, number of skyscrapers, as well as many other parameters. You can find most of these ratings on LifeGlobe. We will go directly to our list. So what are the biggest cities in the world?

Top 10 most populous cities in the world.

1. Shanghai

Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the largest cities in the world, located in the Yangtze River Delta. One of the four cities of the central subordination of the PRC, an important financial and cultural center of the country, as well as the world's largest seaport. By the beginning of the XX century. Shanghai has evolved from a small fishing town to China's most important city and the world's third financial center after London and New York. In addition, the city became the focus of popular culture, vice, intellectual disputes and political intrigue in Republican China. Shanghai is the financial and commercial center of China. Market reforms in Shanghai began in 1992, a decade later than in the southern provinces. Prior to this, most of the city's income went irrevocably to Beijing. Even after the tax relief in 1992, tax revenues from Shanghai accounted for 20-25% of those from all of China (before the 1990s, this figure was about 70%). Today, Shanghai is the largest and most developed city in mainland China. In 2005, Shanghai became the world's largest port in terms of cargo turnover (443 million tons of cargo).

According to the 2000 census, the population of the whole of Shanghai (including the non-urban area) is 16.738 million, this figure also includes temporary residents in Shanghai, whose number is 3.871 million. Since the last census in 1990, the population of Shanghai has increased by 3.396 million or 25.5%. Men make up 51.4% of the city's population, women - 48.6%. Children under 14 years old make up 12.2% of the population, the age group 15-64 years old - 76.3%, the elderly over 65 - 11.5%. 5.4% of Shanghai's population is illiterate. In 2003, there were 13.42 million officially registered residents in Shanghai, and more than 5 million people. live and work informally in Shanghai, of which about 4 million are seasonal workers, mainly from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The average life expectancy in 2003 was 79.80 years (men - 77.78 years, women - 81.81 years).

Like many other regions in China, Shanghai is experiencing a construction boom. The modern architecture of Shanghai is distinguished by its unique style - in particular, the upper floors of high-rise buildings, occupied by restaurants, are shaped like flying saucers. Most of the buildings under construction in Shanghai today are high-rise residential buildings, varying in height, color and design. Organizations responsible for urban development planning are now increasingly focusing on the creation of green spaces and parks within residential complexes to improve the quality of life of Shanghainese people, which is in line with the slogan of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai: "Better City - Better Life". Historically, Shanghai was very westernized, and now it is again taking on the role of the main center of communication between China and the West. One example of this is the opening of the information center for the exchange of medical knowledge between Western and Chinese health institutions Pac-Med Medical Exchange. Pudong has houses and streets that are very similar to the business and residential areas of modern American and Western European cities. Nearby are major international shopping and hotel areas. Despite the high population density and large number of visitors, Shanghai is known for a very low crime rate towards foreigners.

As of January 1, 2009, the population of Shanghai is 18,884,600, if the area of ​​this city is 6,340 sq. km, and the population density is 2,683 people per sq. km.

2. Karachi

KARACHI, the largest city, the main economic center and seaport of Pakistan, is located near the Indus River Delta, 100 km from its confluence with the Arabian Sea. The administrative center of the province of Sindh. The population in 2004 is 10.89 million people. It arose at the beginning of the 18th century. on the site of the Baloch fishing village Kalachi. From the end of the 18th century under the rulers of Sind from the Talpur dynasty, it was the main Sindh maritime and trading center on the Arabian coast. In 1839 it became a naval base of Great Britain, in 1843-1847 - the capital of the province of Sindh, and then the main city of the region, which was part of the Bombay Presidency. Since 1936 - the capital of the province of Sindh. In 1947-1959 it was the capital of Pakistan. The favorable geographical position of the city, located in a convenient natural harbor, contributed to its rapid growth and development during the colonial period, and especially after the partition of British India into two independent states in 1947 - India and Pakistan.

The transformation of Karachi into the main political and economic center of the country led to a rapid population growth, mainly due to the influx of immigrants from outside: in 1947-1955. from 350 thousand people up to 1.5 million people. Karachi is the largest city in the country and is one of the largest cities in the world. The main trade, economic and financial center of Pakistan, a seaport (15% of GDP and 25% of tax revenues to the budget). About 49% of the country's industrial production is concentrated in Karachi and its suburbs. Plants: a metallurgical plant (the largest in the country, built with the assistance of the USSR, 1975-85), oil refineries, machine-building, car assembly, ship repair, chemical, cement plants, enterprises of the pharmaceutical, tobacco, textile, food (sugar) industries (concentrated in several industrial zones : CITY - Sind Industrial Trading Estate, Landhi, Malir, Korangi, etc. The largest commercial banks, branches of foreign banks, central offices and branches of insurance companies, stock and cotton exchanges, offices of major trading companies (including foreign ones). International Airport (1992) Port of Karachi (handling over 9 million tons per year) serves up to 90% of the country's maritime trade and is the largest port in South Asia.
The largest cultural and scientific center: university, research institutions, Aga Khan University of Medical Sciences, Hamdard Foundation Center for Oriental Medicine, National Museum of Pakistan, Naval Forces Museum. Zoo (in the former City Gardens, 1870). Mausoleum of Qaid-i Azam M. A. Jinnah (1950s), University of Sindh (founded in 1951, M. Ecoshar), Art Center (1960). from local pink limestone and sandstone. The business center of Karachi - Shara-i-Faisal streets, Jinnah Road and Chandrigar Road with buildings mainly of the 19th-20th centuries: the High Court (early 20th century, neoclassical), the Pearl Continental Hotel (1962), architects W. Tabler and Z. Pathan), State Bank (1961, architects J. L. Ricci and A. Kayum). To the northwest of Jinnah Road is the Old Town with narrow streets, one- and two-story houses. In the south - the fashionable area of ​​Clifton, built up mainly with villas. Buildings of the 19th century are also distinguished. in the Indo-Gothic style - Frere Hall (1865) and Express Market (1889). Saddar, Zamzama, Tarik Road are the main shopping streets of the city, where hundreds of shops and shops are located. A significant number of modern high-rise buildings, luxury hotels (Avari, Marriott, Sheraton) and shopping centers.

In 2009, the population of this city is 18,140,625, the area is 3,530 sq. km, the population density is 5,139 people. per km.sq.

3.Istanbul

One of the main reasons for the transformation of Istanbul into a world metropolis was the geographical position of the city. Istanbul, located at the intersection of 48 degrees north latitude and 28 degrees east longitude, is the only city in the world that is located on two continents. Istanbul lies on 14 hills, each of which has its own name, but now we will not bore you with listing them. The following should be noted - the city consists of three unequal parts, into which it is divided by the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn (a small bay 7 km long). On the European side: a historical peninsula located in the south of the Golden Horn, and in the north of the Golden Horn - the districts of Beyolu, Galata, Taksim, Besiktash, on the Asian side - the "New City". On the European continent there are numerous commercial and service centers, on the Asian - mostly residential areas.

Overall, Istanbul, 150 km long and 50 km wide, has an approximate area of ​​7,500 km. But no one knows its true borders, it is about to merge with the city of Izmit in the east. With continuous migration from villages (up to 500,000 per year), the population is intensively increasing. Every year, 1,000 new streets appear in the city, and new residential areas are built up in the west-east axis. The population is constantly increasing by 5% per year, i.e. doubles every 12 years. Every 5 resident of Turkey lives in Istanbul. The number of tourists visiting this marvelous city reaches 1.5 million. The population itself is not exactly known to anyone, officially, according to the latest census, 12 million people lived in the city, although now this figure has increased to 15 million, and some argue that 20 million people already live in Istanbul.

Tradition says that the founder of the city in the 7th century BC. there was a Megarian leader Byzant, to whom the Delphic oracle predicted where it would be better to arrange a new settlement. The place really turned out to be very successful - a cape between two seas - the Black and Marble, half in Europe, half in Asia. In the IV century AD. The Roman emperor Constantine chose the settlement of Byzantium to build the new capital of the empire, which was named Constantinople in his honor. After the fall of Rome in 410, Constantinople finally established itself as the undisputed political center of the empire, which since then was no longer called Roman, but Byzantine. The city reached its highest prosperity under the emperor Justinian. It was the center of fabulous wealth and incredible luxury. In the 9th century, the population of Constantinople numbered about a million people! The main streets had sidewalks and sheds, they were decorated with fountains and columns. It is believed that a copy of Constantinople architecture is represented by Venice, where bronze horses are installed on the portal of St.
In 2009, the population of this city is 16,767,433, the area is 2,106 sq. km, the population density is 6,521 people. per sq. km

4.Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital of Japan, its administrative, financial, cultural and industrial center. It is located in the southeastern part of the island of Honshu, on the Kanto plain in the bay of the Tokyo Bay of the Pacific Ocean. Area - 2 187 sq. km. Population - 15,570,000 people. The population density is 5,740 people/km2, the highest among the prefectures of Japan.

Officially, Tokyo is not a city, but one of the prefectures, more precisely, the metropolitan area, the only one in this class. Its territory, in addition to part of the island of Honshu, includes several small islands to the south of it, as well as the islands of Izu and Ogasawara. Tokyo District consists of 62 administrative divisions - cities, towns and rural communities. When they say "the city of Tokyo", they usually mean the 23 special districts included in the metropolitan area, which from 1889 to 1943 constituted the administrative unit of the city of Tokyo, and now they themselves are equated in status to cities; each has its own mayor and city council. The metropolitan government is headed by a popularly elected governor. The government headquarters is located in Shinjuku, which is the county's municipal seat. Tokyo is also home to the state government and the Tokyo Imperial Palace (the obsolete name is also used - Tokyo Imperial Castle) - the main residence of the Japanese emperors.

Although the Tokyo area was inhabited by tribes as early as the Stone Age, the city began to play an active role in history relatively recently. In the 12th century, a fort was built here by the local Edo warrior Taro Shigenada. According to tradition, he received the name Edo from his place of residence. In 1457, Ota Dokan, ruler of the Kanto region under the Japanese shogunate, built Edo Castle. In 1590, it was taken over by Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the shogun clan. Thus, Edo became the capital of the shogunate, while Kyoto remained the imperial capital. Ieyasu created long-term management institutions. The city grew rapidly and by the 18th century became one of the largest cities in the world. In 1615, the armies of Ieyasu destroyed their opponents - the Toyotomi clan, thereby gaining absolute power for about 250 years. As a result of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the shogunate came to an end, in September, Emperor Mutsuhito moved the capital here, calling it the "Eastern Capital" - Tokyo. This sparked a debate whether Kyoto could still be the capital. In the second half of the 19th century, industry began to develop rapidly, followed by shipbuilding. The Tokyo-Yokohama railway was built in 1872, and the Kobe-Osaka-Tokyo railway in 1877. Until 1869 the city was called Edo. On September 1, 1923, the largest earthquake (7-9 on the Richter scale) occurred in Tokyo and the surrounding area. Almost half of the city was destroyed, a strong fire broke out. About 90,000 people became victims. Although the reconstruction plan turned out to be very expensive, the city began to partially recover. The city was again seriously damaged during World War II. The city was subjected to massive air attacks. More than 100,000 inhabitants were killed in one raid alone. Many wooden buildings burned down, the old Imperial Palace suffered. After the war, Tokyo was occupied by the military, during the Korean War it became a major military center. Several American bases still remain here (Yokota military base, etc.). In the middle of the 20th century, the country's economy began to rapidly revive (which was described as the "Economic Miracle"), in 1966 it became the second largest economy in the world. The revival from war injuries was proved by the hosting of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where the city showed itself favorably on the international stage. Since the 1970s, Tokyo has been flooded with a wave of labor from rural areas, which led to the further development of the city. By the end of the 1980s, it had become one of the most dynamically developing cities in the world. On March 20, 1995, there was a gas attack on the Tokyo subway using sarin. The attack was carried out by the religious sect Aum Shinrikyo. As a result, more than 5,000 people were injured, 11 of them died. Seismic activity in the Tokyo area has led to discussions about moving Japan's capital to another city. Three candidates have been named: Nasu (300 km north), Higashino (near Nagano, central Japan) and a new city in Mie province, near Nagoya (450 km west of Tokyo). The government's decision has already been received, although no further action is being taken. At present, Tokyo continues to develop. Projects for the creation of artificial islands are being consistently implemented. The most notable project is Odaiba, which is now a major shopping and entertainment center.

5. Mumbai

The history of the emergence of Mumbai - a dynamic modern city, the financial capital of India and the administrative center of the state of Maharashtra - is quite unusual. In 1534, the Sultan of Gujarat ceded a group of seven useless islands to the Portuguese, who, in turn, gave them to the Portuguese princess Catharina of Braganza on her wedding day to King Charles II of England in 1661. In 1668, the British government surrendered the islands leased to the East India Company for 10 pounds of gold a year, and gradually Mumbai grew into a center of trade. In 1853, the first railway line in the subcontinent was laid from Mumbai to Thane, and in 1862, a colossal land management project turned the seven islands into a single whole - Mumbai embarked on the path of becoming the largest metropolis. During its existence, the city changed its name four times, and for those who are not an expert in geography, its former name, Bombay, is more familiar. Mumbai, after the historical name of the area, became known again in 1997. Today it is a lively city with a strong character: the largest industrial and commercial center, it is still actively interested in theater and other arts. Mumbai is also home to India's main film industry, Bollywood.

Mumbai is India's most populous city with a population of 13,922,125 in 2009. Together with satellite cities, it forms the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 21.3 million people. The area occupied by Greater Mumbai is 603.4 square meters. km. The city stretched along the coast of the Arabian Sea for 140 km.

6. Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country and one of the largest cities in South America.

Buenos Aires is located at a distance of 275 km from the Atlantic Ocean in a well-protected bay of La Plata Bay, on the right bank of the Riachuelo River. The average air temperature in July is +10 degrees, and in January +24. The amount of precipitation in the city is - 987 mm per year. The capital is located in the northeastern part of Argentina, on a flat area, in a subtropical natural zone. The natural vegetation of the surroundings of the city is represented by species of trees and grasses typical of meadow steppes and savannahs. The large Buenos Aires includes 18 suburbs, the total area is 3646 square kilometers.

The population of the Argentine capital proper is 3,050,728 (2009 estimate) people, which is 275 thousand (9.9%) more than it was in 2001 (2,776,138, census). In total, the urban agglomeration, including numerous suburbs immediately adjacent to the capital, is home to 13,356,715 (2009 estimate). Residents of Buenos Aires have a half-joking nickname - porteños (lit. residents of the port). The population of the capital and suburbs is rapidly increasing, including due to the immigration of guest workers from Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and other neighboring countries. The city is very multiethnic, but the main division of communities occurs along class lines, and not along racial lines, as in the United States. The majority of the population are Spaniards and Italians, descendants of both the settlers of the Spanish colonial period 1550-1815 and the larger wave of European immigrants to Argentina in 1880-1940. About 30% are mestizos and representatives of other nationalities, among which communities stand out: Arabs, Jews, British, Armenians, Japanese, Chinese and Koreans, there is also a large number of immigrants from neighboring countries, primarily from Bolivia and Paraguay, recently from Korea , China and Africa. During the colonial period, groups of Indians, mestizos and Negro slaves were noticeable in the city, gradually dissolving into the southern European population, although their cultural and genetic influences are still felt today. Thus, the genes of modern residents of the capital are quite mixed compared to white Europeans: on average, the genes of the inhabitants of the capital are 71.2% European, 23.5% Indian and 5.3% African. At the same time, depending on the quarter, African impurities vary from 3.5% to 7.0%, and Indian from 14.0% to 33%. . The official language in the capital is Spanish. Other languages ​​- Italian, Portuguese, English, German and French - are now practically out of use as mother tongues due to the mass assimilation of immigrants from the second half of the 19th - early 19th century. XX centuries., but are still taught as foreign. During the period of the mass influx of Italians (especially Neapolitans), a mixed Italian-Spanish sociolect lunfardo spread in the city, gradually disappearing, but leaving traces in the local language variant of the Spanish language (See Spanish in Argentina). Among the believing population of the city, the majority are adherents of Catholicism, a small part of the inhabitants of the capital profess Islam and Judaism, but in general, the level of religiosity is extremely low, as the secular-liberal way of life prevails. The city is divided into 47 administrative districts, the division was originally based on reference to Catholic parishes, and remained so until 1940.

7. Dhaka

The name of the city is formed from the name of the Hindu goddess of fertility Durga or from the name of the tropical tree Dhaka, which gives valuable resin. Dhaka is located on the northern bank of the turbulent Buriganda River almost in the center of the country and looks more like the legendary Babylon than the modern capital. Dhaka is a river port in the delta of the Ganges Brahmaputra, as well as a center for water tourism. Despite the fact that travel by water is quite slow, water transport in the country is well developed, safe and widely used. The oldest section of the city, lying north of the coastline, is an ancient trading center for the Mughal Empire. In the Old City there is an unfinished fortress - Fort LaBad, dating from 1678, which houses the mausoleum of Bibi Pari (1684). It is also worth paying attention to more than 700 mosques, including the famous Hussein Dalan, located in the old City. Now the old City is a vast area between the two main water transport terminals, Sadarghat and Badam Tole, where the experience of observing the daily life of the river is especially charming and interesting. Also in the old part of the city there are traditional large oriental bazaars.

The population of the city is 9,724,976 inhabitants (2006), with suburbs - 12,560 thousand people (2005).

8. Manila

Manila is the capital and main city of the Central Region of the Republic of the Philippines, which occupies the Philippine Islands in the Pacific Ocean. In the west, the islands are washed by the South China Sea, in the north they are adjacent to Taiwan through the Bashi Strait. Located on the island of Luzon (the largest in the archipelago), the metropolis of Manila includes, in addition to Manila itself, four more cities and 13 municipalities. The name of the city comes from two Tagalog (local Filipino) words "may" meaning "to be" and "nilad" - the name of the original settlement located on the banks of the Pasig River and the bay. Before the conquest of Manila by the Spaniards in 1570, Muslim tribes lived on the islands, who were intermediaries in the trade of the Chinese with South Asian merchants. After a fierce struggle, the Spaniards occupied the ruins of Manila, which the natives set on fire to escape the invaders. After 20 years, the Spaniards returned and built defensive structures. In 1595, Manila became the capital of the Archipelago. From that time until the 19th century, Manila was the center of trade between the Philippines and Mexico. With the arrival of Europeans, the Chinese were limited in free trade and repeatedly rebelled against the colonists. In 1898, the Americans invaded the Philippines, and after several years of war, the Spaniards ceded their colony to them. Then the American-Philippine war began, which ended in 1935 with the independence of the islands. During the period of US domination, several enterprises of the light and food industries, oil refineries, and the production of building materials were opened in Manila. During World War II, the Philippines was occupied by the Japanese. The state gained its final independence in 1946. Currently, Manila is the main seaport, financial and industrial center of the country. The plants and factories of the capital produce electrical engineering, chemicals, clothes, foodstuffs, tobacco, etc. The city has several low-priced markets and shopping centers that attract visitors from all over the Republic. In recent years, the role of tourism has been growing.

In 2009, the population of this city is 12,285,000.

9 Delhi

Delhi is the capital of India, a city of 13 million people that most travelers cannot miss. A city in which all the classic Indian contrasts are fully manifested - grandiose temples and dirty slums, bright holidays of life and quiet death in the gateways. A city in which it is difficult for a simple Russian person to live for more than two weeks, after which he will begin to quietly go crazy - incessant movement, general fuss, noise and din, an abundance of dirt and poverty will be a good test for you. Like any city with a thousand-year history, Delhi has many interesting places worth visiting. Most of them are located in two districts of the city - Old and New Delhi, between which there is the Pahar Ganj area, where most independent travelers (Main Bazaar) stop. Among the most interesting sights of Delhi include Jama Masjid Mosque, Lodhi Garden, Humayun Tomb, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Lakshmi Narayana Temple ), the military fortresses of Lal Qila and Purana Qila.

For 2009, the population of this city is 11,954,217

10. Moscow

The city of Moscow is a huge metropolis, consisting of nine administrative districts, which include one hundred and twenty administrative districts, on the territory of Moscow there are many parks, gardens, forest parks.

The first written mention of Moscow dates back to 1147. But the settlements on the site of the modern city were much earlier, in a time remote from us, according to some historians, by 5 thousand years. However, all this belongs to the realm of legends and conjectures. No matter how everything happens, but in the XIII century Moscow is the center of an independent principality, and by the end of the XV century. it becomes the capital of the emerging unified Russian state. Since then, Moscow has been one of the largest cities in Europe. For centuries, Moscow has been an outstanding center of all-Russian culture, science, and art.

The largest city in Russia and Europe in terms of population (population as of July 1, 2009 - 10.527 million people), the center of the Moscow urban agglomeration. It is also one of the ten largest cities in the world.

With the development of industrialization, more and more people are moving from the countryside to the cities. This is a natural process called urbanization. The area of ​​cities and the number of inhabitants is growing steadily. Which city has the largest population? What is the largest city in the world by area? Read the answers in our ranking of the top 10 big cities.

The largest cities in the world by population

To determine the largest cities of the world by the number of inhabitants inhabiting them, in April 2018, scientists conducted research "Demographia. World Urban Areas 14th Annual Edition". In their measurements, scientists took into account only urban agglomerations with continuous development. fused agglomerations treated as one object. So where does the largest number of people live? You will find the answer in the following list.

Agglomeration - compact cluster of settlements with a clear central city.

Top 10 largest cities in the world by population:

1. Tokyo - Yokohama. The largest city in the world by population. The population is 38050 thousand people. This agglomeration is formed by the merging of the two largest cities in Japan. Tokyo is the capital of the state, and Yokohama is the largest port in the country.
2. Jakarta. The population is 32275 thousand people. The capital of Indonesia is growing with new residents at a very fast pace
3. Delhi. In the Indian metropolis, there are 27280 thousand inhabitants. The city is the second largest in India, it is the capital of the country, New Delhi.
4. Manila. The Philippine capital is home to 24,650 thousand people, most of whom live below the poverty line.
5. Seoul - Incheon. The agglomeration from the capital of Korea and the surrounding cities is also overpopulated - 24,210 thousand inhabitants.
6. Shanghai. The leader among Chinese settlements in terms of population growth - 24,115 thousand as of April 2018. It is the largest seaport in the world and the most important financial and cultural center of China.
7. Mumbai. The number of inhabitants is growing rapidly due to the standard of living above the Indian average - 23,265,000. The economic capital of India, 40% of all foreign trade falls on this settlement.
8. . The US financial center also attracts a huge number of people - 21,575,000.
9. Beijing. The capital of China is home to 21,250,000 people. Since 2015, population growth has slowed down, and by 2018 it has stopped.
10. Sao Paulo. The most densely populated metropolis in the Southern Hemisphere - 21,100 thousand inhabitants. The city is an important financial center of Brazil, accounting for 12% of the country's GDP.

And our capital Moscow still occupies the 15th place in this rating with 16,855 thousand people, but this number is growing very quickly. But among the countries in terms of the number of million-plus cities, the Russian Federation holds an honorable fourth place. China, India and Brazil are ahead of us in this indicator.

The largest city in the world by area

There is also a system for measuring the area of ​​settlements, including the whole territory. This method does not take into account the continuity and density of buildings. In this option, the territory is calculated taking into account water and mountain areas. What is the largest city in the world by area? Find the answer to this question in the list below.

List of largest cities by area:

1. Chongqing (China) - 82403 km². It is believed that the largest city in the world by area is the Chinese city of Chongqing. The area they cover is huge. But these are measurement data together with suburbs and villages, there is no continuous development in this territory and the population density is only 373 people / km². And its urbanized area is only 1473 km². That is why it cannot be fully called the largest city in the world. The population of this administrative unit is 30,751,600 people.
2. Hangzhou (China) - 16847 km². The second among all cities in the world in terms of territory. Hangzhou is located on the east coast of China. It is inhabited by 8.7 million inhabitants.
3. Beijing (China) - 16411 sq. km. Located in the east of the country, the most dynamically developing center of China - GDP growth from 2005 to 2013. amounted to 65%. That is why a huge number of labor migrants live in it - over 10 million illegal immigrants.
4. Brisbane (Australia) - 15826 sq. km. Located on the east coast of Australia. Brisbane is very multiethnic, and 21% of its population are foreigners.
5. Asmara (Eritrea) - 15061 sq. km. Despite the vast territory of the African capital, only 649,000 people live in it, because most of it is occupied by low-rise buildings.

The largest cities in the world by area

To the list of the largest urban agglomerations and conurbations included both beautiful cities with a rich history and many attractions, as well as the greatest industrial centers.

Conurbation - urban agglomeration without a clear dominant center.

The largest urban agglomerations by area:

1. . The largest agglomeration on the planet in terms of its area - occupies 11,875 square kilometers. The financial capital of America and the state of the same name.
2. Boston - Providence, USA. With all suburbs - 9189 sq. km.
3. Tokyo - Yokohama, Japan (Tokyo is the capital). The agglomeration of the largest cities in Japan is located on a large territory - 8547 km².
4. Atlanta. This American city with its agglomeration is located on 7296 square kilometers. It is the capital and compatible largest city of the state of Georgia.
5. Chicago. Together with the suburbs, it occupies 6856 km². It is the second largest financial center in the United States.
6. Los Angeles. The American city with nearby territories is located on 6299 sq. km. Capital of the State of California.
7. Moscow, Russia. The Moscow agglomeration with all suburbs of continuous development occupies 5698 square kilometers.
8. Dallas - Fort Worth. Represents conurbation of many small cities, is located on 5175 square kilometers.
9. Philadelphia. 5131 sq. km.
10. Houston, USA. 4841 square kilometers.
11. Beijing, the capital of China. Quite an extended city - 4144 sq. km.
12. Shanghai, China. 4015 sq. km.
13. Nagoya, Japan. 3885 sq. km.
14. Guangzhou - Foshan, China. 3820 sq. km
15. Washington, USA. The capital of America covers an area of ​​3424 square kilometers.

Largest cities by population density

From year to year urban overcrowding problem is becoming more and more acute. Over the past 20 years, the largest cities in Southeast Asia have experienced an average population growth of more than two percent per year. Which city has the highest population density? We have collected information on this subject in the following list.

Top 10 largest cities by population density:

1. Manila, the capital of the Philippines. It is the most densely populated city in the world - 43,079 people / km², and in one of the regions this figure reaches 68,266 people / km². Moreover, more than 60% of the population lives in urban slums.
2. Calcutta, India. The population density is 27462 per square kilometer. Over the past 10 years, the population has decreased by 2%. A third of them live in urban slums.
3. chennai, India. Density - 24418 people per square kilometer. A quarter of all residents live in slums.
4. Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. 23234 people per square kilometer. The annual population growth is 4.2%, which is one of the highest rates in the world.
5. Mumbai, India. 20694 The standard of living here is somewhat higher than in other cities of the country. Therefore, population growth is predictable.
6. Seoul, the capital of South Korea. This city is also densely populated - 16626 people / km². The capital of Korea is home to 19.5% of all residents of the country.
7. Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. 14469 people / km² Back in the 80s, the density was 8000 inhabitants per square kilometer, and by 2018 it had almost doubled.
8. Lagos, Nigeria. 13128 people per km².
9. Tehran, the capital of Iran. 10456 inhabitants per 1 square kilometer.
10. Taipei, the capital of the Republic of China (Taiwan). 9951 people per km².

Information about the largest cities is presented on the video

According to the latest official information, there are 2.5 million cities in the world. According to 2015 data, the largest city in the world in terms of area is Chongqing, in terms of the number of inhabitants - Shanghai, in terms of length - Mexico City, in terms of height - La Rinconada.

Each locality is remarkable in its own way. So, one is famous for its landscapes, the other - for enchanting entertainment, the third - for its history. There are some that are known for their scale. This article will focus on them.

The largest city in the world by area

As mentioned earlier, this is Chongqing. It is located in China (its central part), its area reaches 82,400 square meters. km (except for the territory of the city itself, this includes the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe territory under its jurisdiction). According to official figures, Chongqing covers an area of ​​470 km from east to west. Its width from north to south is 150 km (for comparison: Australia has the same dimensions).

The largest city in the world in terms of area is divided into districts (19 units), counties (15 units, 4 of which are autonomous). The population density, according to data for 2010, reaches 28,846,170 people, but over 80% of the inhabitants mainly live in rural areas, and there are only 6 million city dwellers.

History of Chongqing

This city is recognized as the most ancient in China. Its history has been going on for 3 thousand years. During the late Paleolithic period, it was there that the primitive representatives of the human race lived. The reason for this is the location of the city at the confluence of the Jialingjiang River into the full-flowing Yangtze River. The largest city in the world in terms of area is surrounded by three mountains: Dabashan (from the north), Wushan (from the east), Dalushan (from the south). In connection with the hilly landscape, it was called a mountain city (Shancheng). Chongqing rises to 243 meters above sea level.

10 largest cities in the world

There are quite a lot of them on a global scale. In this regard, the article will only present the rating of cities by area. So, tenth place belongs to London (1.57 thousand km). It is the capital of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland. This city is also recognized as the largest city in the British Isles. Its location - r. Thames (64 km from the mouth). The city extends on the flat territory of the famous London Basin. The highest point above sea level (245 m) is Westerham Heights (extreme southeast).

This city is one of the largest British ports, the main industrial center. Its area is 1.56 thousand square meters. km. Year of foundation - 43 AD. e. (the era of the invasion of the Romans under the leadership of the emperor Claudius in Britain). Presumably, already at the time of the invasion, there was a very modest settlement in size, but no evidence of this was found during archaeological excavations. Although the majority of London's historic center has not been excavated, the fact of the existence of a settlement during the above period cannot be completely denied.

Ninth, eighth and seventh place in the ranking

ninth place belongs to Tehran (1.6 thousand sq. km). It is the capital and largest city of Iran, the first of all the imposing cities of Asia. From north to south, the city stretched for 26 km, from west to east - for 40 km. The height difference of the bitter line is 700 m.

As a result of excavations, it was found that the existence of a settlement on the territory of the city dates back to 6 thousand BC. e. The settlers were heading to the slopes of Elbrus, thereby escaping from the sultry heat of the existing saline deserts.

Eighth place- Bogota (1.8 thousand sq. km) - the capital of Colombia. Year of foundation - 1538 (by the Spanish conquistador G. Jimenez de Quesado). Its name translates as "fertile land". The city is located in the basin of the western slope of the Eastern Cordillera. Altitude - 2610 m. This is the largest city in Colombia, which combines futuristic architecture, colonial churches, various kinds of museums with the fact that it is recognized as a city of vagrants, drug dealers, eternal traffic jams and slums.

Seventh place- Ankara (2.52 thousand sq. km) - the capital of Turkey. Location - Atlantic Plateau (confluence of the Chubuk and Ankara rivers) at an altitude of approximately 938 m above sea level. This is one of the oldest cities in Asia Minor. It is located at the crossroads of trade routes that connect Europe with Asia. This city is the second most important and potential Turkish economic center. The development of Ankara is determined by a very convenient location at the traffic intersection, the presence of a significant number of civil servants, students, banking, trade structures, and industrial facilities.

Sixth, fifth and fourth place in the ranking

Sixth place- Alexandria (2.7 thousand sq. km) - the main seaport, the second largest city in Egypt, which stretches for 32 km along the Mediterranean coast. Year of foundation - 332 BC. e. (A. Makedonsky). This is the most important financial, industrial, commercial center of Egypt.

Fifth place- Karachi (3.5 thousand sq. km) is a port city located in the southern part of Pakistan. It is the largest in the country and one of the largest in the world. Karachi is the capital of Sindh. The population density is 12-18 million people.

Fourth place- Istanbul (5.3 thousand sq. km) - the former capital of the Byzantine, Ottoman, Roman, Latin empires. It acts as a significant seaport, cultural, commercial and industrial center of Turkey. It is the only city located on two continents at once - Europe and Asia. This is the largest city in Europe.

Top three ranking

Third place- Buenos Aires (4 thousand sq. km) - the Argentine capital. The year of its foundation is 1580 (the coast of La Plata Bay).

Second place- Kinshasa (10 thousand sq. km) - the capital of the Congo. Until 1966, it had a different name - Leopoldville.

The leader of the rating, as mentioned earlier, is Chongqing. It was mentioned at the very beginning. To date, these are the largest cities. The list is gradually changing and supplemented, due to the accelerated growth of a number of settlements.

The largest metropolitan areas in our country

For ease of understanding, they are presented in the table below.

City name	Area, sq. km
St. Petersburg
Volgograd
Novosibirsk
Chelyabinsk
Yekaterinburg
Nizhny Novgorod
Krasnoyarsk
Rostov-on-Don

According to official data, these are the largest cities in Russia. Their scale gradually changes as they develop. It would be useful to consider in more detail such largest Russian cities (by area) as St. Petersburg (the Northern capital) and Moscow.

Capital of the Russian Federation

Moscow is the largest city (in terms of area and population density) of our country. It is the capital of Russia. Moscow is located on the river of the same name. If you look at the map, it is located in the central part of the plain, located in Eastern Europe. Moscow area - 2511 sq. km.

The federal bodies of the Russian state power are concentrated there. Local self-government is well developed. Moscow is the largest financial center. The predominant part of the country's economy is managed directly by the capital. Also, the largest banks and offices are concentrated in it.

As mentioned earlier, the largest city in Europe is Istanbul, but our capital is the largest tourist and cultural European center. Historical, architectural monuments, modern infrastructure in the field of entertainment will not leave anyone indifferent. In Moscow there are over a hundred theaters, sixty museums, among which the most outstanding are the Bolshoi, Maly Theaters, Sovremennik. Fans of opera and ballet can enjoy wonderful performances, virtuoso performances of artists there.

Of the museums, especially popular are: the Museum of Anthropology (antiquities - a reflection of life, traditions of the peoples of the world), the Zoological Museum, named after Pushkin.

Every guest of the capital, without exception, should visit the Tretyakov Gallery. The largest collection of our fine arts is demonstrated there. In general, everything that Moscow is rich in cannot be described, it is better to see with your own eyes.

Historical chronicles

Moscow is the historical capital of the pre-existing Grand Duchy of Moscow. Her exact age is still not known. In the second half of the 13th century, during the reign of Prince Danil Alexandrovich (son of A. Nevsky), Moscow acquired the status of the center of an autonomous specific principality. At that time, the city was located in the place of a trade interchange, which is why it had the opportunity to grow and develop.

In the XIV-XV centuries. Moscow has already become a major craft and trade city. By the end of the XV century. it received the status of the capital of the largest Russian state.

Northern capital: historical facts, sights

St. Petersburg is one of the most charming cities in the world. His beauty is strict and lyrical at the same time. It is known that during the first 10 years of its existence it grew rapidly (already by 1714 there were about 34.5 thousand buildings). Magnificent palaces, cathedrals, parks, gardens, squares with statues surrounded by picturesque greenery were erected. Peter is a city-museum.

This city has been considered the capital since the time when the entire royal court moved from Moscow to the banks of the Neva (1712). Having intercepted the exits to the Baltic, our state entered the circle of the countries of the North - traditional exporters of leather, fish, iron, timber, lard, grain. Petersburg became the largest foreign trade center of Russia. At the end of the Petrine era, it was from here that almost half of our total exports to the countries of Western Europe were exported.

Then such an important state enterprise as the Mint was transferred from Moscow (1724). In the vicinity of St. Petersburg, palace manufactories arose.

To date, the area of ​​the city of St. Petersburg is 1439 square meters. km, population density - approximately 4.75 million people. The northern capital is located at the 60th degree with. sh., which gives it the status of the world's largest metropolis located in such high latitudes. St. Petersburg extends for 35 km along the coast of the Neva Bay (Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea), affecting the mouth of the Neva, about. Neva delta.

The largest cities of the Russian Federation by population density

For clarity, the information is best presented in a table.

Population density, pers.	City name
	Moscow
	Saint Petersburg
	Novosibirsk city
	Yekaterinburg city
	Nizhny Novgorod
	Kazan
	Chelyabinsk
	Samara
	Rostov-on-Don
	Krasnoyarsk
	Volgograd

These are the largest cities in Russia in terms of population density in 2015.

Finally, it is worth recalling that the article considered the largest cities of our country and Europe. A rating of the 10 largest cities in the world in terms of occupied area is presented.