Exploring cities is an extremely interesting activity. Each of them has its own story, and they are all so different: industrial giants, resort areas and tiny provincial towns. But there are among them and the largest cities in the world by the area of and. Who entered our top-10 - find out next.
Let's note at once - to define borders of territories of modern cities and to make a rating of the largest of them it is inconvenient enough. To be as accurate as possible, the researchers apply the so-called light fingerprint - this is the area of artificial illumination of a populated area and its suburbs from the height of the aircraft. Satellite maps are also used, for which cities and rural areas that are not included in them are clearly visible.
10
London Area 1580 km²
Opens the list of the largest cities in the world by the area of the capital of the foggy Albina London .It is the largest metropolis in the European Union and the leading financial, political and economic center of the country. It occupies an area of about 1580 square kilometers. London - a favorite place for visiting tourists who want to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, the famous royal guardsmen and many other interesting attractions.
9
Sydney Area 2037 km²
Ninth place in the ranking of the largest cities in the world by area - from Sydney .It covers an area of 2,037 square kilometers. In many rankings it occupies a leading place as the largest metropolis. The fact is that the Australian Bureau of Statistics includes in Sydney the nearest national parks and the Blue Mountains. As a result, formally, the territory of Sydney is 12,145 square kilometers. Whatever it was, this is the largest metropolis of Australia and Oceania.
8
Tokyo Area 2189 km²
The 8th largest city in the world is Tokyo , occupying an area of 2,189 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 the ultra-modern high-rise buildings, you can find tiny houses on narrow streets, as if descended from ancient engravings. Despite the strongest earthquake of 1923 and the destruction caused to the city during the Second World War, Tokyo is one of the fastest growing modern megacities.
7
Karachi Area 3530 km²
Pakistani port city The Karachi , with a territory of 3530 square kilometers, occupies the 7th place in the list of the largest megacities in the world. It is the first capital of Pakistan and the main industrial, financial and commercial center of the state. At the beginning of the XVIII century Karachi was a small fishing village. After the capture of Karachi by British troops, the village quickly turned into a major port city. Since that time, it has expanded and played an increasingly important role in the country's economy. Today, because of the influx of migrants, overpopulation has become one of the main problems of the metropolis.
6
Moscow Area 4662 km²
Moscow - on the 6th place in the list of the largest cities in the world by 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 a political and financial, but also a cultural center of the country, attracting a huge number of tourists.
5
Istanbul Area 5343 km²
The Trade and Industry Center, as well as the main port of Turkey Istanbul with an area of 5343 square kilometers - on the 5th place in the ranking of the largest cities in the world. It is located in a picturesque place - on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait. Istanbul is a unique city, which in its time was the capital of four great empires and is located immediately in Asia and Europe. Here there are many beautiful monuments of antiquity: the thousand-year-old Sophia Cathedral, the majestic Blue Mosque, the magnificent Dolmabahce Palace. It strikes Istanbul with an abundance of various museums. Since most of them are located in the center, it is convenient for numerous tourists to combine their visits with walks in this beautiful city.
4
Brasilia Area 5802 km²
The fourth place in the ranking of the largest metropolitan areas in the world is occupied by Brasilia .The city is located on the territory of 5802 square kilometers. The status of the capital of the Republic of Brazil, the city was relatively recently - in 1960.The construction of a 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.
3
Shanghai Area 6340 km²
Shanghai with a territory of 6,340 square kilometers takes the third place in the list of the world's largest cities by area. Inhabits Shanghai about 24 million people. This is one of the most interesting and unusual Chinese megacities. It can be said that it reflects modern China - energetic, rapidly developing and aimed at the future. Shanghai is one of the largest shopping centers in the world.
2
Guangzhou Area 7434 km²
Chinese metropolis Guangzhou with an area of 7434.4 square kilometers is ranked second in the ranking of the largest cities in the world. It is an industrial, political and cultural center of the southern regions of China. The population is about 21 million people. Guangzhou has a millennial history. Earlier in Europe, the city was known as Canton. The sea part of the Great Silk Road began from here. Since ancient times, the city has sheltered all opposition to state power and often became the center of unrest against the power of the Peking emperors.
1
Beijing Area 16 801 km²
The largest city in the world is Beijing is one of the most important settlements in China. The total area of the giant metropolis is 16,801 square kilometers. Lives in Beijing, nearly 22 million people. The city harmoniously combines antiquity and modernity. He for three thousand years was the residence of the Chinese rulers. Monuments of antiquity 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 Forbidden City. This is the main attraction of the city, which is visited annually by more than 7 million tourists from all corners of the globe.
Retaining ancient and medieval buildings and monuments, Beijing is developing as a modern high-tech metropolis.