The world is an ever-changing place. This is especially true in the case of megacities, which are cities with a population of over 10 million people.
These urban centers are important for many reasons: they often serve as hubs for economic activity, provide employment opportunities for many people, and generate large amounts of revenue from tourism and trade.
This article will take an overview look at some of these megacities across the globe and discuss some interesting facts about them.
Table of Contents
1. Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan
Urban area: 37,274,000 people
Tokyo-Yokohama is the capital city of Japan. It is located in the Kanto region on Honshu Island, south of Tokyo Bay and north of Sagami Bay.
The city was originally founded in 1457 as a port town for fishing villages and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas with more than 30 million people.
Tokyo-Yokohama is home to many historical monuments, including a large number of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines and landmarks such as the Imperial Palace compound, Yasukuni Shrine and Shinjuku Central Park.
2. Delhi, India
Urban Area: 32,065,760 people
Delhi and its surrounding metropolitan area, known as Delhi Metropolitan Area (DMA), is a megacity that is home to 32 million people. With millions of people in the core city of Delhi, it is the biggest city in India and one of the most populous metropolitan areas worldwide after Tokyo-Yokohama.
The DMA includes satellite cities such as Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, Noida, and Faridabad, which are also part of the National Capital Region (NCR) but are not considered metro cities by Census India.
In 2016-17 Delhi’s combined annual GDP was $350 billion, with an average yearly growth rate of 10%. The major industries include information technology, manufacturing, financial services, tourism, and retail trade.
3. Shanghai, China
Urban area: 28,516,904 people
Shanghai is the most populous city in China. It has a population of over 25 million people. It’s also an important economic center in the world, with its economy growing by more than 10 percent per year since 2010.
4. Dhaka, Bangladesh
Urban area: 22,478,116 people
The capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka, is the most populous city in the country and one of the largest megacities in the world. It is located on the banks of the Buriganga River between India and Nepal. The city has a population of over 22 million people.
The history of Dhaka dates back to 1610 when its founder, Mughal emperor Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to this place.
A large part of modern-day Dhaka was occupied by ponds and marshes, which were drained over time by British rulers during their rule over India, including Bengal Presidency (1765-1947). Today’s metropolitan area covers an area three times larger than New York City but with only half as many people!
5. São Paulo, Brazil
Urban Area: 22,429,800 people
São Paulo is Brazil’s largest city and the country’s financial and cultural center. It is also a major economic hub for South America, with a GDP of US$350 billion.
The city has a population of 22 million people, 20% of whom are immigrants from other parts of Brazil. São Paulo’s economy is based on commerce, light manufacturing, services, and technology, making it an important destination for foreign investment.
6. Mexico City, Mexico
Urban Area: 22,800,000 people
Mexico City is the largest North American and Spanish-speaking city on Earth. It is one of the most populated megacities in the world. It has more than twice as many inhabitants as New York City.
Mexico’s capital was founded on Tenochtitlan’s ruins by the Spanish conquistadors in 1521. It was built on an island in Lake Texcoco, which was connected to mainland Mexico by canals and causeways.
The Aztecs had previously built their capital city on this site before a devastating flood destroyed it. Today, Mexico City is an important economic center and one of the largest urban areas in Latin America.
7. Cairo, Egypt
Urban area: 21,750,020 people
Cairo is one of the largest cities in Africa and is home to about 20 million people. It’s also the capital of Egypt, and its culture, history, landmarks, and people have been a major center of commerce since the antique times.
Cairo has a lot going on: it’s home to some of Egypt’s most important tourist attractions, like the Pyramids of Giza, as well as its high-end shopping districts, which attract not just locals but many travelers from around the world as well.
8. Beijing, China
Urban area: 21,333,332 people
Beijing is the capital of China, one of China’s four great ancient capitals, and now one of the most important cities worldwide.
It has been at the center of many important historical developments in China and was also a center for many new ideas in science and technology. It is a major hub for air travel and is home to numerous universities and colleges.
9. Mumbai, India
Urban area: 20,961,472 people
Mumbai is the financial capital of India. It is a commercial center and entertainment hub. It is one of the world’s top 10 megacities by population.
The city houses several large industries, including textiles, chemicals, and film production. A significant part of its economy relies on real estate development and construction. Nearly 60% of all new homes sold in India are constructed in Mumbai annually.
10. Osaka, Japan
Urban area: 19,059,856 people
Osaka is the third largest city in Japan after Tokyo and Yokohama and the fifth largest metropolitan area. It is the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, which has a population of over 19 million.
Osaka is an industrial center and has been referred to as “Japan’s unsung” or “new” Detroit. It is home to many companies and produces 25% of Japan’s consumer electronics.
The city is also known as an international hub for entertainment, such as Anime Convention, Universal Studios Japan, and Hanshin Tigers baseball team.
Read also: How many of us in the future: is global population reaching 8 billion a problem?
