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World cities and population

The world’s big cities and megacities, where they are, and why cities grow. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.

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Megacities

A megacity is a city with more than 10 million people. Most of the world’s largest cities are in Asia. India and China have the most people of all countries.

CityCountryContinent
Jakarta (about 42 million; the largest city in the world according to the UN in 2025)IndonesiaAsia
Dhaka (about 40 million)BangladeshAsia
Tokyo (about 33 million)JapanAsia
Delhi, MumbaiIndiaAsia
ShanghaiChinaAsia
CairoEgyptAfrica
LagosNigeriaAfrica
São PauloBrazilSouth America
New YorkUSANorth America
Mexico CityMexicoNorth America
A megacity with millions of people.
A megacity with millions of people.
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Big cities in Africa

  • Cairo, Egypt’s capital, lies on the Nile just before the delta. The river gives water in a desert country.
  • Lagos in Nigeria lies on the coast with a busy harbour. Every day thousands of people arrive there, looking for work.
  • Nairobi is Kenya’s capital; Kinshasa lies on the Congo River.
  • Africa’s population is currently growing the fastest of all continents.
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South Africa’s cities

South Africa has more than 60 million people. Johannesburg is our biggest city, and Gauteng the province with the most people. Durban has a busy harbour on the Indian Ocean.

Rule

Many big cities grow next to the sea or a large river, because these give water, transport and trade. Others grow around a valuable resource: Johannesburg grew far inland because of the gold found there in 1886.

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Remember this and test yourself

Remember this: your summary
  • A megacity has more than 10 million people; most of the largest cities are in Asia.
  • Jakarta (Indonesia), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Tokyo (Japan), Delhi and Mumbai (India), Shanghai (China), São Paulo (Brazil), New York (USA), Mexico City (Mexico).
  • Africa: Cairo (Egypt, on the Nile), Lagos (Nigeria), Nairobi (Kenya), Kinshasa (on the Congo River).
  • South Africa has more than 60 million people; Johannesburg is the biggest city, Gauteng the province with the most people.
  • Many cities grow by the sea and big rivers (water, transport, trade), others around a resource such as gold (Johannesburg); Africa’s population grows the fastest.

Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.

Memory trick

Mega = huge: a megacity has more than 10 million people, and most are in Asia.

Flash cards · Tap to turn over

Important words

First say what the word means, then turn the card over.

Test yourself · Part 2

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