The largest settlements in the Russian Federation are traditionally selected according to two criteria: occupied territory and population. The area is determined by the city master plan. Population – the All-Russian Population Census, or Rosstat data, taking into account birth and death rates, if they are current.
There are 15 largest cities in Russia with a population of more than 1 million people. According to this indicator, Russia ranks third in the world. And their number continues to grow. More recently, Krasnoyarsk and Voronezh entered this category. We present to you the top ten most densely populated Russian megacities.
Population: 1,125 thousand people.
Rostov-on-Don became a million-plus city relatively recently - only thirty years ago. It is the only one among the ten largest cities in Russia that does not have its own metro. Its construction in 2018 will only be discussed. For now, the Rostov administration is busy preparing for the upcoming World Cup.
Population: 1,170 thousand people.
In penultimate place in the list of the largest cities in Russia by population is the administrative center of the Volga region - Samara. True, starting from 1985, the population preferred to leave Samara as soon as possible, until by 2005 the situation improved. And now the city is even experiencing a slight increase in migration.
Population: 1,178 thousand people.
The migration situation in Omsk is not brilliant - many educated Omsk residents prefer to move to Moscow, St. Petersburg and neighboring Novosibirsk and Tyumen. However, since 2010, the population in the city has been growing steadily, mostly due to the redistribution of the population in the region.
Population: 1,199 thousand people.
Unfortunately, Chelyabinsk is experiencing problems with livability: residents complain about the abundance of dirt, giant puddles in the spring and summer, when, due to non-functioning storm sewers, entire neighborhoods turn into something like Venice. It is not surprising that about 70% of Chelyabinsk residents are thinking about changing their place of residence.
Population: 1,232 thousand people.
The capital of the Republic of Tatarstan rightfully bears the title of one of the most comfortable cities in Russia. This is likely one of the reasons why the city has experienced steady population growth since the mid-90s. And since 2009, Kazan has become a plus not only due to migration, but also due to natural growth.
Population: 1,262 thousand people.
Ancient and very beautiful city not worried better times in terms of the number of residents. The peak was in 1991, when its population exceeded 1,445 thousand people, and since then it has only been falling. A slight increase was observed only in 2012–2015, when the population increased by approximately 10 thousand people.
Population: 1,456 thousand people.
The “Capital of the Urals” became a million-plus city exactly 50 years ago, in 1967. Since then, having survived the population decline in the “hungry 90s,” the city’s population has been growing slowly but steadily. It is increasing, as in all large cities of Russia, mainly due to migrants. But not the ones you thought about - the population replenishment mainly (more than 50%) comes from the Sverdlovsk region.
Population: 1,602 thousand people.
The third place in the list of the largest cities in Russia is occupied by the center of the Novosibirsk region. In addition to its million-plus status, the city can also boast of being among the top 50 cities in the world with the longest traffic jams. True, Novosibirsk residents are hardly happy about such a record.
However, unlike traffic jams, the demographic situation in the city is more or less successful. A number of regional and government programs aimed at increasing the birth rate and reducing mortality. For example, at the birth of a third or subsequent child, the family is awarded a regional certificate for 100 thousand rubles.
According to city authorities, if the current population growth dynamics continue, then by 2025 the number of residents of the Novosibirsk region will increase to 2.9 million people.
Population: 5,282 thousand people.
The cultural capital of Russia, where polite intellectuals bow to each other, raising their berets, and where such animals as the “bun” and “curb” live, is demonstrating steady growth in both area and population.
True, this was not always the case; Since the end of the USSR, the population preferred to leave St. Petersburg. And only since 2012, positive dynamics began to be observed. In the same year, the city's five millionth resident was born (for the second time in its history).
1. Moscow
Population: 12,381 thousand people.
It is unlikely that the answer to the question: “What is the largest city in Russia?” came as a surprise to someone. Moscow is the largest city in Europe by population, but is not among the first.
More than 12 million people live here, and if we add to this the population of the near Moscow region, who regularly travel to Moscow for work and shopping, then the figure turns out to be more than impressive - 16 million. Due to the current economic situation in the country, the population is both modern Babylon and the surrounding areas will only increase. According to expert forecasts, by 2030 this number could reach 13.6 million people.
Muscovites are traditionally not happy with those who have come in large numbers, and those who have come in large numbers shrug their shoulders: “I want to live, and I even want to live well.”
The largest cities in Russia by area
It would seem that the list of the largest cities in Russia by area should coincide with the list of the most populated cities, but this is not the case. In addition to the simple population size, the area of the city is influenced by many factors - from the historical method of territorial expansion to the number of industrial enterprises within the city. Therefore, some positions in the ranking can surprise the reader.
Area: 541.4 km²
Samara opens the top 10 largest cities in Russia. It stretches along the western bank of the Volga River for more than 50 km with a width of 20 km.
Area: 566.9 km²
The population of Omsk exceeded a million people back in 1979, the city’s territory is large and, according to Soviet tradition, the city should have acquired a metro. However, the nineties struck, and construction since then has been going neither shaky nor slow, but in general nothing. There is not even enough money for conservation.
Area: 596.51 km²
Voronezh became a million-plus city quite recently - in 2013. Some areas in it are almost exclusively private sector - houses, from comfortable cottages to village ones, garages, vegetable gardens.
Area: 614.16 km²
Thanks to the historically established radial-ring development, Kazan is a fairly compact city with a convenient layout. Despite its size, the capital of Tatarstan is the only million-plus city in Russia that completely recycles its waste and has managed to maintain a more or less favorable environmental situation.
Area: 621 km²
The only regional city that is not an administrative center and a million-plus population, Orsk seems to have been included in this rating by mistake. Its population is only 230 thousand people, who occupy an area of 621 km2, with a very low density (only 370 people per km2). The reason for such a huge territory with a small number of inhabitants is the large number of industrial enterprises within the city.
Area: 707.93 km²
Ufa residents have a spacious place to live - each person has 698 m2 of the total territory of the city. At the same time, Ufa has the lowest density of the street network among Russian megacities, which often manifests itself in huge multi-kilometer traffic jams.
Area: 799.68 km²
Perm became a million-plus city in 1979, then in the nineties, due to a general decline in the population, it lost this status for more than 20 years. Only in 2012 was it possible to return it. Permians live freely (the population density is not too high, 1310 people per km2) and green - the total area of green spaces is more than a third of the citywide area.
Area: 859.4 km²
Although Volgograd became a million-plus city relatively recently - in 1991, it has long been among the top three in terms of territory size. The reason is the historically uneven urban development, where apartment buildings alternate with each other, village houses with plots and empty steppe spaces.
Area: 1439 km²
Unlike the compact radial-beam “old” Moscow, St. Petersburg is freely spread out at the mouth of the Neva. The length of the city is more than 90 km. One of the features of the city is the abundance of water spaces, occupying 7% of the entire territory.
1. Moscow
Area: 2561.5 km²
And the absolute first place among the largest cities in Russia is given to Moscow. Its area is 1.5 times larger than the area of the second place in the ranking, St. Petersburg. True, until 2012, the territory of Moscow was not so impressive - only 1100 km2. It grew so significantly due to the annexation of the southwestern territories, the total area of which reaches 1480 km2.
According to the All-Russian Population Census, as of October 14, 2010, there were 1,287 urban-type settlements in Russia. Of these, 206 have a population of more than 10 thousand inhabitants. No. Urban settlement Region Population, thousand people (2002)… …Wikipedia
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10
- Population: 1 114 806
- Based: 1749
- Subject of the federation: Rostov region
- National composition:
- 90.6% Russians
- 3.4% Armenians
- 1.5% Ukrainians
Rostov-on-Don is the oldest city in Russia, the southern “capital” of Russia. Founded in 1749 by decree of Elizabeth Petrovna. The main part of the city is located on the right bank of the Don. The city has many “green” areas - picturesque parks and squares. In the center of the city there are huge trees reaching a height of 6-7 floors. Rostov has its own zoo, botanical garden, circus, water park, and also a dolphinarium. The symbolic border between Europe and Asia passes through the Voroshilovsky Bridge in the center of Rostov-on-Don.
9
- Population: 1 171 820
- Based: 1586
- Subject of the federation: Samara Region
- National composition:
- 90% Russian
- 3.6% Tatars
- 1.1% Mordovians
- 1.1% Ukrainians
With amara (from 1935 to 1991 - Kuibyshev) is a fairly large city located on the left, higher bank of the Volga with its many attractions. The city of Samara is a large industrial center of the Volga Federal District. Industries such as mechanical engineering (including the aviation and space industries), metalworking, and also the food industry are developed here.
8
- Population: 1 173 854
- Based: 1716
- Subject of the federation: Omsk region
- National composition:
- 88.8% Russians
- 3.4% Kazakhs
- 2.0% Ukrainians
About Moscow time – one of largest cities Siberia and Russia - was founded in 1716. In 2016 the city will celebrate its tricentenary. Omsk is considered an economic, educational and cultural center Western Siberia. The city is home to a large number of large industrial enterprises, and medium and small businesses are developing. The city has more than 10 theaters, a Concert Hall and an Organ Hall. Every year Omsk hosts various festivals, exhibitions, and concerts of Russian and foreign performers.
7
- Population: 1 183 387
- Based: 1736
- Subject of the federation: Chelyabinsk region
- National composition:
- 86.5% Russians
- 5.1% Tatars
- 3.1% Bashkirs
Chelyabinsk - capital Southern Urals. Located east of the Ural ridge, on the geological border of the Urals and Siberia. The enterprises of the city of Chelyabinsk - metallurgical and engineering giants - are known throughout the world.
6
- Population: 1 205 651
- Based: 1005
- Subject of the federation: Republic of Tatarstan
- National composition:
- 48.6% Russians
- 47.6% Tatars
- 0.8% Chuvash
Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, one of the largest and most beautiful cities in Russia, included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Cities. Kazan is a major industrial and commercial center of Russia. The whole world knows about airplanes and helicopters that are produced in the capital of Tatarstan, chemical and petrochemical products produced by Kazan giant factories.
5
- Population: 1 267 760
- Based: 1221
- Subject of the federation: Nizhny Novgorod Region
- National composition:
- 93.9% Russians
- 1.3% Tatars
- 0.6% Mordovians
Nizhny Novgorod is a city in Russia, the administrative center of the Nizhny Novgorod region, the center and largest city of the Volga Federal District. The most developed industries are mechanical engineering and metalworking, food, ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, medical, light and woodworking, mechanical engineering and metalworking. The city has preserved many unique historical, architectural and cultural monuments, which gave UNESCO grounds to include Nizhny Novgorod to the list of 100 cities of the world representing global historical and cultural value.
4
- Population: 1 428 042
- Based: 1723
- Subject of the federation: Sverdlovsk region
- National composition:
- 89.1% Russian
- 3.7% Tatars
- 1.0% Ukrainians
Katerinburg is called the capital of the Urals. It is the fourth largest city in Russia. Yekaterinburg has become one of the “centers” of Russian rock. The groups “Nautilus Pompilius”, “Urfene Juice”, “Semantic Hallucinations”, “Agatha Christie”, “Chaif”, “Nastya” were formed here. Yulia Chicherina, Olga Arefieva and many others grew up here.
3
- Population: 1 567 087
- Based: 1893
- Subject of the federation: Novosibirsk region
- National composition:
- 92.8% Russians
- 0.9% Ukrainians
- 0.8% Uzbeks
Novosibirsk is the third most populous city in Russia and has the status of an urban district. It is a trade, cultural, business, industrial, scientific and transport center of federal significance. How locality founded in 1893, and Novosibirsk city status was given in 1903. Novosibirsk is home to one of the largest zoos in Russia, famous throughout the world for the conservation of endangered animal species, some of which remain only in zoo collections.
2
- Population: 5 191 690
- Based: 1703
- Subject of the federation:
- National composition:
- 92.5% Russians
- 1.5% Ukrainians
- 0.9% Belarusians
St. Petersburg is the second most populous city in Russia. It has the status of a city of federal significance. Administrative center of the Northwestern Federal District and Leningrad Region. Few cities in the world can boast so many attractions, museum collections, opera and drama theatres, estates and palaces, parks and monuments.
1
- Population: 12 197 596
- Based: 1147
- Subject of the federation:
- National composition:
- 91.6% Russians
- 1.4% Ukrainians
- 1.4% Tatars
Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation, a city of federal significance, the administrative center of the Central Federal District and the center of the Moscow Region, which it is not part of. Moscow is the largest financial center on an all-Russian scale, an international business center and a management center for the most part the country's economy. For example, about half of the banks registered in Russia are concentrated in Moscow. According to Ernst & Young, Moscow ranks 7th among European cities in terms of investment attractiveness.
There are cities in the world with a large number population. And nothing else if the city occupies a large territory and the population density in it is small. What if the city has very little land? It happens that the country is small, but there are rocks and the sea around the city? So the city has to build up. At the same time, the population per 1 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 most big cities peace?
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 centrally subordinate to the People's Republic of China, an important financial and Cultural Center country, as well as the world's largest seaport. By the beginning of the 20th century. Shanghai has grown from a small fishing town into the most important city in China and the third financial center in the world after London and New York. In addition, the city became a center of popular culture, vice, intellectual debate 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. Before this, most of the city's income went irrevocably to Beijing. Even after the tax burden was reduced in 1992, tax revenues from Shanghai accounted for 20-25% of revenues 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 entire Shanghai area (including the non-urban area) is 16.738 million people, this figure also includes temporary residents of Shanghai, whose number is 3.871 million people. Since the previous census in 1990, Shanghai's population has increased by 3.396 million people, 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, age group 15-64 years old - 76.3%, 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 more. live and work in Shanghai unofficially, of which about 4 million are seasonal workers, mainly from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. Average life expectancy in 2003 was 79.80 years (men - 77.78 years, women - 81.81 years).
Like many other regions of China, Shanghai is experiencing a construction boom. Modern architecture 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 planning the development of the city are now increasingly focusing on the creation of green areas and parks within residential complexes to improve the quality of life of Shanghai residents, which is in keeping with the slogan of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai: “ Best city- better life". Historically, Shanghai was very Westernized, and now it is again increasingly taking on the role of the main center of communication between China and the West. One example of this is the opening of the Pac-Med Medical Exchange, an information center for the exchange of medical knowledge between Western and Chinese health institutions. Pudong has houses and streets very similar to the business and residential areas of modern American and Western European cities. There are major international shopping and hotel areas nearby. Despite its high population density and large number of visitors, Shanghai is known for its 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 6,340 km.sq., and the population density is 2,683 people per km.sq.m.
2. Karachi
KARACHI, the largest city, main economic center and seaport of Pakistan, is located near the delta of the Indus River, 100 km from its confluence with the Arabian Sea. Administrative center of Sindh province. Population as of 2004: 10.89 million people. Originated in the early 18th century. on the site of the Baloch fishing village of Kalachi. From the end of the 18th century. under the rulers of Sindh from the Talpur dynasty, it was the main Sindh maritime and commercial center on the Arabian coast. In 1839 it became a British naval base, in 1843-1847 - the capital of the province of Sind, and then the main city of the region, which was part of the Bombay Presidency. Since 1936 - the capital of the Sindh province. In 1947-1959 - 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 division 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 rapid population growth, mainly due to the influx of immigrants from outside: in 1947-1955. with 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, 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. Factories: metallurgical plant (the largest in the country, built with the assistance of the USSR, 1975-85), oil refining, engineering, car assembly, ship repair, chemical, cement plants, pharmaceutical, tobacco, textile, food (sugar) industries (concentrated in several industrial zones : CITY - Sindh 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 exchange, offices of the largest trading companies (including foreign ones). International airport (1992). Port of Karachi (cargo turnover over 9 million tons per year) serves up to 90% of the country's maritime trade and is the largest port in South Asia.
Largest cultural and scientific center: university, research institutions, Aga Khan University of Medical Sciences, Hamdard Foundation Center for Oriental Medicine, National Museum Pakistan, Naval Museum. Zoo (in the former City Gardens, 1870). Mausoleum of Quaid-i Azam M.A. Jinnah (1950s), Sindh University (founded in 1951, M. Ecoshar), Art Center (1960). Architecturally interesting are the central streets, built in the period between the world wars with buildings made from local pink limestone and sandstone. Business center of Karachi - Shara-i-Faisal streets, Jinnah Road and Chandrigar Road with buildings mainly from the 19th and 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, single- and two-story houses. In the south is the fashionable area of Clifton, built up mainly with villas. Buildings from the 19th century also stand out. in the Ingothic style - Frere Hall (1865) and Empress Market (1889). Saddar, Zamzama, Tariq Road - main shopping streets cities with hundreds of shops and shops. A significant number of modern multi-storey buildings, luxury hotels (Avari, Marriott, Sheraton) and shopping centers.
As of 2009, the population of this city was 18,140,625, area 3,530 km2, population density 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 location 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 won’t 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: the historical peninsula located in the south of the Golden Horn, and in the north of the Golden Horn - the districts of Beyolu, Galata, Taksim, Besiktas, on the Asian side - the "New City". There are numerous shopping and service centers on the European continent, and mostly residential areas on the Asian continent.
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 rapidly increasing. Every year, 1,000 new streets appear in the city, and new residential areas are built in the west-east axis. The population is constantly increasing by 5% per year, i.e. Every 12 years it doubles. Every 5 residents of Turkey live in Istanbul. The number of tourists visiting this wonderful city reaches 1.5 million. The population itself is unknown to anyone; officially, according to the last census, 12 million people lived in the city, although now this figure has increased to 15 million, and some claim 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, Byzantus, to whom the Delphic oracle predicted where it would be better to establish a new settlement. The place really turned out to be very successful - a cape between two seas - the Black and Marmara, half in Europe, half in Asia. In the 4th century AD. 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 greatest prosperity under Emperor Justinian. It was a center of fabulous wealth and unimaginable luxury. In the 9th century, the population of Constantinople numbered about a million people! The main streets had sidewalks and canopies, and were decorated with fountains and columns. It is believed that Venice represents a copy of Constantinople architecture, where bronze horses taken from the Constantinople Hippodrome after the sack of the city by the Crusaders in 1204 are installed on the portal of St. Mark's Cathedral.
As of 2009, the population of this city was 16,767,433, area 2,106 km2, population density 6,521 people. per km.kv
4.Tokyo
Tokyo is the capital of Japan, its administrative, financial, cultural and industrial center. Located in the southeastern part of the island of Honshu, on the Kanto Plain in 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 Japanese prefectures.
Officially, Tokyo is not a city, but one of the prefectures, or rather, a 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, as well as the islands of Izu and Ogasawara. Tokyo District consists of 62 administrative units - cities, towns and rural communities. When they say “Tokyo City,” they usually mean the 23 special districts included in the metropolitan area, which from 1889 to 1943 formed the administrative unit of the city of Tokyo, and are now themselves equated in status to cities; each has its own mayor and city council. The capital's government is headed by a popularly elected governor. The government headquarters is located in Shinjuku, which is the county seat. Tokyo is also home to the state government and the Tokyo Imperial Palace (also using the obsolete name Tokyo Imperial Castle), the main residence of the Japanese emperors.
Although the Tokyo area has been inhabited by tribes since the Stone Age, the city began to play an active role in history relatively recently. In the 12th century, local Edo warrior Taro Shigenada built a fort here. 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, Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the shogun clan, took possession of it. Thus, Edo became the capital of the shogunate, while Kyoto remained the imperial capital. Ieyasu created long-term management institutions. The city grew quickly and XVIII century became one of the largest cities in the world. In 1615, Ieyasu's armies 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 has sparked debate over whether Kyoto can still remain the capital. In the second half of the 19th century, industry began to develop rapidly, and then shipbuilding. Built in 1872 Railway Tokyo-Yokohama, in 1877 - Kobe-Osaka-Tokyo. Until 1869 the city was called Edo. On September 1, 1923, a major earthquake (7-9 on the Richter scale) occurred in Tokyo and the surrounding area. Almost half of the city was destroyed, and 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 residents died in one raid alone. Many wooden buildings burned down, and the old Imperial Palace was damaged. After the war, Tokyo was occupied by the military, and during the Korean War it became a major military center. Several American bases still remain here (Yokota military base, etc.). In the mid-20th century, the country's economy began to rapidly revive (which was characterized as " Economic miracle"), in 1966 it became the second largest economy in the world. The revival from war traumas was proven by the holding of the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964, where the city showed itself favorably on the international stage. Since the 70s, Tokyo has been swept by a wave work force from rural areas, which entailed further development cities. By the end of the 80s, it became one of the most dynamically developing cities on Earth. On March 20, 1995, a sarin gas attack occurred in the Tokyo subway. The terrorist attack was carried out by the religious sect Aum Shinrikyo. As a result, over 5,000 people were injured, 11 of them died. Seismic activity in the Tokyo area has led to discussions about moving the capital of Japan to another city. Three candidates have been named: Nasu (300 km north), Higashino (near Nagano, central Japan) and new town in Mie province, near Nagoya (450 km west of Tokyo). A government decision has already been received, although no further action is being taken. Currently, Tokyo continues to develop. Projects to create 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 unwanted islands to the Portuguese, who, in turn, gave them to the Portuguese princess Catarina of Braganza on the day of her wedding 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 per year, and gradually Mumbai grew into a center of trade. In 1853, the first railway line on the subcontinent was built from Mumbai to Thane, and in 1862, a colossal land development project turned seven islands into a single whole - Mumbai was on the path to becoming the largest metropolis. During its existence, the city changed its name four times, and for those who are not experts in geography, its former name is more familiar - Bombay. Mumbai, after the historical name of the area, was renamed in 1997. Today it is a vibrant city with a vibrant pronounced character: A major industrial and commercial center, it remains actively interested in theater and other arts. Mumbai is also home to the main center of the Indian film industry - Bollywood.
Mumbai is the most populated city India: In 2009, the city's population was 13,922,125. Together with its 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 sq. km. The city stretches 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 275 km from the Atlantic Ocean in a well-protected bay of La Plata Bay, on the right bank of the Riachuelo River. average temperature the 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 flat terrain, in a subtropical natural zone. The natural vegetation of the city's surroundings is represented by tree and grass species typical of meadow steppes and savannas. Greater Buenos Aires includes 18 suburbs, with a total area of 3,646 square kilometers.
The population of the capital of Argentina 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, 13,356,715 people live in the urban agglomeration, including numerous suburbs immediately adjacent to the capital (2009 estimate). Residents of Buenos Aires have a half-joking nickname - porteños (literally, residents of the port). The population of the capital and its suburbs is growing rapidly, including due to the immigration of guest workers from Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and other neighboring countries. The city is very multinational, 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 is Spanish and Italian, descendants of both the settlers of the Spanish colonial period from 1550-1815 and the larger wave of European immigrants to Argentina from 1880-1940. About 30% are mestizos and representatives of other nationalities, among which the following communities stand out: Arabs, Jews, English, Armenians, Japanese, Chinese and Koreans; there is also a large number of immigrants from neighboring countries, primarily from Bolivia and Paraguay, in Lately from Korea, China and Africa. During the colonial period, groups of Indians, mestizos and black slaves were visible in the city, gradually disappearing into the southern European population, although their cultural and genetic influences are still noticeable today. Thus, the genes of modern residents of the capital are quite mixed compared to white Europeans: on average, the genes of residents of the capital are 71.2% European, 23.5% Indian and 5.3% African. Moreover, depending on the quarter, African admixtures vary from 3.5% to 7.0%, and Indian admixtures from 14.0% to 33%. . Official language in the capital - Spanish. Other languages - Italian, Portuguese, English, German and French - have now practically fallen out of use as native languages due to the massive assimilation of immigrants from the second half of the 19th century- beginning XX centuries, but are still taught as foreign languages. During the period of the massive influx of Italians (especially Neapolitans), the mixed Italian-Spanish sociolect Lunfardo became widespread in the city, which gradually disappeared, but left traces in the local linguistic version of the Spanish language (See Spanish in Argentina). Among the city's religious population, the majority are adherents of Catholicism, a small part of the capital's residents profess Islam and Judaism, but in general the level of religiosity is extremely low, since a secular-liberal way of life predominates. The city is divided into 47 administrative districts, the division was initially based on Catholic parishes, and remained so until 1940.
7. Dhaka
The name of the city is derived from the name of the Hindu goddess of fertility Durga or from the name of the tropical tree Dhaka, which produces valuable resin. Dhaka is located on the northern bank of the turbulent Buriganda River almost in the center of the country and is more similar to the legendary Babylon than to the modern capital. Dhaka is a river port in the Ganges Brahmaputra delta, as well as a center for water tourism. Although 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 of the Mughal Empire. In the Old City there is an unfinished fortress - Fort LaBad, dating back to 1678, which houses the mausoleum of Bibi Pari (1684). It is also worth paying attention to the more than 700 mosques, including the famous Hussein Dalan, located in the old City. Now Old city is a vast area between the two main water transport terminals, Sadarghat and Badam Tole, where the experience of watching everyday life the rivers are especially charming and interesting. Also in the old part of the city there are traditional large oriental bazaars.
The city's population is 9,724,976 inhabitants (2006), with its suburbs - 12,560 thousand people (2005).
8. Manila
Manila is the capital and main city The central region of the Republic of the Philippines, occupying the Philippine Islands in Pacific Ocean. In the west, the islands are washed by the South China Sea, in the north they adjoin Taiwan through the Bashi Strait. Located on the island of Luzon (the largest in the archipelago), Metro 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 appear" and "nilad" - the name of the original settlement located along the banks of the Pasig River and the bay. Before the Spanish conquest of Manila in 1570, the islands were inhabited by Muslim tribes who acted as intermediaries in Chinese trade with South Asian merchants. After a fierce struggle, the Spaniards occupied the ruins of Manila, which the natives set fire to escape from the invaders. After 20 years, the Spaniards returned and built defensive structures. In 1595, Manila became the capital of the Archipelago. From this 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 Spanish 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 light and textile enterprises were opened in Manila. Food Industry, oil refining plants, construction materials production. During World War II, the Philippines was occupied by the Japanese. The state gained final independence in 1946. Currently, Manila is the main seaport, financial and industrial center of the country. Plants and factories in the capital produce electrical equipment, chemicals, clothing, food, tobacco, etc. The city has several markets and shopping centers with low prices, attracting visitors from all over the Republic. IN last years The role of tourism is growing.
As of 2009, the population of this city was 12,285,000.
9. Delhi
Delhi is the capital of India, a city with 13 million people that most travelers cannot miss. A city in which all the classical Indian contrasts are fully manifested - grandiose temples and dirty slums, bright celebrations of life and quiet death in the gateways. A city in which it is difficult for an ordinary Russian person to live for more than two weeks, after which he will begin to quietly go crazy - the incessant movement, general bustle, noise and din, the abundance of dirt and poverty will become a good test for you. Like any city with a thousand-year history, Delhi has many most interesting places worthy of a visit. Most of them are located in two areas of the city - Old and New Delhi, between which is the Pahar Ganj area, where most independent travelers stay (Main Bazaar). Some of the most interesting attractions in Delhi include the Jama Masjid, Lodhi Garden, Humayun Tomb, Qutb Minar, Lotus Temple, Lakshmi Narayana Temple ), military fortresses Lal Qila and Purana Qila.
As of 2009, the population of this city was 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. There are many parks, gardens, and forest parks on the territory of Moscow.
The first written mention of Moscow dates back to 1147. But settlements on the site of the modern city were much earlier, in a time distant from us, according to some historians, by 5 thousand years. However, all this belongs to the realm of legends and speculation. No matter how everything happened, in the 13th century Moscow was the center of an independent principality, and by the end of the 15th 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 by 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.
