Oct 25, 2022
The 7 Most Populated Cities in the World
Including interesting facts that you probably didn’t know.
#7 — Cairo, Egypt (21.75 million)
The capital city of Egypt comes in seventh on our list of most populated cities on earth. Cairo itself was established in the 10th century. Cairo was a key city along the spice trade route from Europe to the Far East.
Facts about Cairo you probably didn’t know.
- Cairo is the only city with one of the ancient wonders of the world remaining (the Great Pyramid).
- Cairo has the largest food court in the world with 25 restaurants and seating for over 4,000 people.
- Cairo has the oldest and largest film industry in the Middle East.
#6 — Mexico City, Mexico (22.08 million)
Mexico City, Mexico is not only the capital of Mexico — but it’s also the most populated city in all of North America. Mexico City was founded in 1521 by Spanish conquistadors. Mexico City has been a central hub of politics, religion, and trade for centuries.
Facts about Mexico City you probably didn’t know.
- Because it was built over a lake, Mexico City is sinking about 20 inches each year — a truly terrifying thought about what the future may hold for the residents.
- Mexico City has a booming economy and is one of the wealthiest cities in the world.
- If you enjoy going to museums, then Mexico City might be a place you want to spend some time. Mexico City has more museums than any city in the world!
#5 — Sao Paulo, Brazil (22.42 million)
Sao Paulo is the capital of a state in southeastern Brazil bearing the same name as the city. The city is the industrial center of Latin America. Sao Paulo was founded by Jesuit missionaries on January 25, 1554.
Facts about Sao Paulo you probably didn’t know.
- More people of Japanese heritage live in Sao Paulo than in any other city outside of Japan.
- Sao Paulo is known as “the city of drizzle” thanks to its unpredictable weather.
- One of the favorite foods of the people of Sao Paulo is pizza due to the large Italian community in the city.
#4 — Dhaka, Bangladesh (22.47 million)
Dhaka, also sometimes spelled Dacca, is the capital of Bangladesh. The city’s history can be traced back nearly 2,000 years. Dhaka was the center of a prosperous sea trade that attracted traders from countries like England, France, and Portugal.
Facts about Dhaka you probably didn’t know.
- Dhaka is known as “the city of mosques” since there are several hundred of them within the city.
- Dhaka is also known as the “rickshaw capital of the world.” Around 400,000 operate throughout the city each day.
- The people of Dhaka love Cricket. The national Cricket stadium is in Dhaka, and many of the country’s top Cricket players and celebrities live in Dhaka.
#3 — Shanghai, China (28.51 million)
Shanghai has one of the world’s largest seaports, and it’s a major commercial and industrial center for China. Shanghai was one of the first Chinese seaports to open up to Western trade.
Facts about Shanghai you probably didn’t know.
- Shanghai is fairly easy to get around in compared to other large cities thanks to having the largest metro system in the world.
- Shanghai is one of the more attractive cities for expats. As of 2015, more than 170,000 expats called Shanghai their home.
- Alright all you Disney fans — Shanghai Disneyland is the second-largest theme park in the world.
#2 — Delhi, India (32.06 million)
Delhi consists of two parts: Old Delhi in the north and New Delhi in the south. Delhi is the national capital of India. Delhi has great historical significance and is an important center of commerce and transportation.
Facts about Delhi you probably didn’t know.
- Delhi is home to Asia’s largest wholesale fruit and vegetable market — the Azadpur Wholesale.
- Delhi experiences frequent earthquakes — California folks may feel right at home here.
- Public transportation in Delhi is fuelled by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) which cuts down on pollution.
#1 — Tokyo, Japan (37.27 million)
And finally, we arrive at Tokyo — the most heavily populated city on our list. Tokyo was known as Edo until 1868. Tokyo is the capital city of Japan. Tokyo is home to many domestic and international companies’ headquarters.
Facts about Tokyo you probably didn’t know.
- Tokyo is home to the world’s busiest intersection — the Shibuya Crossing. Sometimes as many as 2,500 people cross the intersection every time the light changes.
- Tokyo has more neon signs than anywhere else in the world! Better get some good curtains if you want a dark room.
- The Tokyo Stock Exchange is Asia’s largest stock exchange — and the second largest in the world.
I’m a bit of an introvert, so the thought of being in a city with this many people is not something I’m eager to do.
However, Tokyo — in my opinion — would be a really cool place to visit.
What about you? Which one of these seven cities would you like to visit? Let me know in the comments!
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Population counts from worldpopulationreview.com
