The world’s most populated cities are in the Asian countries, such as China and India. People living in their respective countries believe that their home city is the most populated, more than any other city, but assumption is often contrary to fact. China, along with India, makes it up to the top in hosting world’s largest populations, and this might come as a surprise to those living in New York or Amsterdam where hustle bustle is the order of the day.
Tokyo
Tokyo started from a few thousand in year 1500, eventually growing to 37 million in 2022. Currently it’s the most populous city in the world, located in Japan. The older name of Tokyo was Edo. It has the office of the Emperor of Japan, and also serves as a seat of the Japanese government. The world knows it as the economic hub of the Japan. The city started to gain attention in 1603 when Tokugawa Shogunate declared it their headquarters. At that time it was just a fishing village named Edo. In the 18th century the population swelled, and ultimately the imperial capital was shifted from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Delhi
Delhi in India has served as a heart of numerous empires since the old times. It comes second in the list of the most populated cities after Tokyo. It has a population of 32 million people as of 2022. Delhi serves as a capital of India located around the Yamuna river. In early 13th century Delhi was the capital of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire. The notable heritage sites of the imperial past include Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and the Red Fort. Later, Britishers upon gaining control of India used it as their capital city.
Shanghai
Shanghai is the third most populous city in the world located in East China having a population of 26 million. It’s one of the major economies due to businesses, research, finance and science. The port of Shanghai is one of the busiest container ports in the world due to the trading activities. The reason why Shanghai comes in the list of the most developed cities is owing to the liberal economic policies of Deng Xiaoping, who served as leader of China from 1978 to 1989.
São Paulo
São Paulo has a population of 22 million and it’s one of the most busiest cities of Brazil. The city serves as an important centre for commerce, arts and entertainment. Back in 16th century São Paulo was a small village with name São Paulo de Piratininga (Saint Paul of the Fields of Piratininga). The village was started by Jesuit missionaries back in the days. It’s no more over shadowed by Rio de Janeiro, another important Brazilian city, as the urbanisation has gifted the city with modern steel, glass skyscrapers and concrete structures.
Mexico City
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico having 22 millions population helping it secure 5th places in the most populated cities category. Back in 15th century, the city was the capital of ever expanding Aztec Empire as it was founded in 1325. The city contributes to around 16pc in the GDP of the country which makes it one of the most productive urban areas in the world. The city also witnessed Colonial period of Spanish rule starting from 1519 as Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés advanced upon Tenochtitlan.
Cairo
Cario or Al-Qāhirah is the largest city in the Arab world located in Egypt. It has a population of around 21 million people. The city offers a lot of history as it was home to the ancient Egyptian civilisations. The ancient cities of Memphis and Heliopois are located in this geographical area. The city was first started by Muslims after a conquest in 640. The settlement was named as Fustat. Later, by Fatimid Dynasty a new city Al-Qahirah was founded in the same location, as we know today as Cairo. The common name of Cairo is “The City of a Thousand Minarets.”
Dhaka
Dhaka is a megacity which serves as the capital of Bangladesh. It has a population of around 21 million people. It served as a modern city of 17th century developed by Mughal Empire and used for commerce and trade. It was named as Jahangirnagar in the honour of the King Jahangir of Mughals. During colonisation, the Britishers gave the city railways, cinemas and electricity, making it an important administrative and education centre. The city was later legislative capital of Pakistan in 1962 until its separation in 1971 from Pakistan.
Mumbai
Mumbai, old name Bombay till 1995, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra with a population of 20 million people. The city includes seven islands which in earlier times were under the control of indigenous rules before East India Company acquired these islands. Later in 1845, under a reclamation project (acquiring land from the sea), Bombay was transformed into a major seaport of the Arabian Sea. After India gained independence in 1947, Mumbai was included in the state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is a home to Bollywood and Marathi cinema.
Beijing
Beijing has a population of around 21 million people and it’s the capital city of China. Beijing is an international city which blooms in culture, technology and tourism. The city hosts the largest number of Fortune Global 500 companies in the world. The city is connected with modern communications like national highway, expressway and high-speed rail networks. It is one of the oldest habited land as it serves as political centre of China for past eight centuries under different rules and dynasties.
Osaka
Osaka has a population of around 20 million people. The city represented a major culture of Japan during the Edo period. It’s recognised as one of the most multicultural cities in Japan. Major electronics companies like Panasonic and Sharp are headquartered in Osaka. The city was accustomed to old traditions and therefore, in 21st century its transformation plan into metropolis like Tokyo faced stiff opposition but the reformation was nonetheless carried out which transformed the city towards betterment. After Tokyo, Osaka is the second most expensive city in the world and has large skyscrapers, steel and concrete structures.
