The highest city in the world with a population of more than one million is La Paz. The Capital of Bolivia sits 3,869 meters above sea level, and is more than 1,000 meters higher than the second ranked city - Quito. La Paz is also higher than Mt. Fuji in Japan, which has a height of 3,776 meters. Many of the world's highest cities are located in South America. The only city in North America that makes the top 20 list is Denver, Colorado, which has an altitude of 1,673 meters.

N’Djamena was the most polluted capital city in the world in 2024, with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of nearly 92 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³). PM2.5 particulate matter concentrations in the Chad capital were over 18 times higher than the World Health Organizations PM2.5 guideline of five μg/m³. New Delhi followed closely in second place, with PM2.5 levels of 91.6 μg/m³. Sources of PM2.5 PM2. 5 refers to atmospheric particulate matter that have a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers. There are many sources of PM2.5 emissions, including road transport, industrial activities, crop burning, and energy industries. Domestic combustion, such as burning wood for fuel, is also a major source of PM2.5 emissions. As a result, PM2.5 concentrations are typically higher in developing countries. Health impacts of air pollution Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 increases the likelihood of heart and lung problems, and can lead to premature death. Air pollution is one of the leading causes of premature deaths worldwide, cutting millions of lives short every year. Although the highest number of annual air pollution-related deaths are observed in East Asia and Pacific, the health and lives of people in all regions of the world are at risk from harmful pollutants like PM2.5.

The "Major Cities" layer is derived from the "World Cities" dataset provided by ArcGIS Data and Maps group as part of the global data layers made available for public use. "Major cities" layer specifically contains National and Provincial capitals that have the highest population within their respective country. Cities were filtered based on the STATUS (“National capital”, “National and provincial capital”, “Provincial capital”, “National capital and provincial capital enclave”, and “Other”). Majority of these cities within larger countries have been filtered at the highest levels of POP_CLASS (“5,000,000 and greater” and “1,000,000 to 4,999,999”). However, China for example, was filtered with cities over 11 million people due to many highly populated cities. Population approximations are sourced from US Census and UN Data. Credits: ESRI, CIA World Factbook, GMI, NIMA, UN Data, UN Habitat, US Census Bureau Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material at this site do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

This world cities layer presents the locations of many cities of the world, both major cities and many provincial capitals.Population estimates are provided for those cities listed in open source data from the United Nations and US Census.

The "Major Cities" layer is derived from the "World Cities" dataset provided by ArcGIS Data and Maps group as part of the global data layers made available for public use.

"Major cities" layer specifically contains National and Provincial capitals that have the highest population within their respective country. Cities were filtered based on the STATUS (“National capital”, “National and provincial capital”, “Provincial capital”, “National capital and provincial capital enclave”, and “Other”). Majority of these cities within larger countries have been filtered at the highest levels of POP_CLASS (“5,000,000 and greater” and “1,000,000 to 4,999,999”). However, China for example, was filtered with cities over 11 million people due to many highly populated cities. Population approximations are sourced from US Census and UN Data.

Disclaimer: The designations employed and the presentation of material at this site do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Data publication: 2021-03-12

Citation:

Credits: ESRI, CIA World Factbook, GMI, NIMA, UN Data, UN Habitat, US Census Bureau

Contact points:

Resource Contact: ESRI - ArcGIS Data and Maps

Metadata Contact: Justeen De Ocampo

Resource constraints:

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC BY-NC- SA 3.0 IGO)

Online resources:

World Cities layer from ArcGIS Data & Maps

ArcGIS Data and Maps group background and available datasets.

Museums allow people all over the globe to explore culture, art, history, science and more unusual interests. Some cities are unsurprisingly home to more museums than others. As of May 2019, Paris was crowned the museum capital of the world, accounting for 297 museums. Following hot on the French capital's heels was Moscow with 261 museums.

All cities with a population > 1000 or seats of adm div (ca 80.000)Sources and ContributionsSources : GeoNames is aggregating over hundred different data sources. Ambassadors : GeoNames Ambassadors help in many countries. Wiki : A wiki allows to view the data and quickly fix error and add missing places. Donations and Sponsoring : Costs for running GeoNames are covered by donations and sponsoring.Enrichment:add country name

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities data was reported at 180.400 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 179.500 1989-1990=100 for Mar 2012. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities data is updated quarterly, averaging 47.400 1989-1990=100 from Sep 1948 (Median) to Jun 2012, with 256 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 180.400 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012 and a record low of 3.700 1989-1990=100 in Sep 1948. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I006: Consumer Price Index: 1989-90=100: Eight Capital Cities. Rebased from 1989-90=100 to 2011-12=100. Replacement series ID: 350585501

Sarajevo was the most polluted capital city in Europe in 2024, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 30.8 micrograms per cubic meter of air (μg/m³). This level of air pollution was roughly six times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. The second most polluted capital city in Europe that year was Skopje, North Macedonia, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 21.6 μg/m³.
How bad is air pollution in Europe? Poor air quality is a major issue in Europe, particularly in cities. In fact, more than 90 percent of the EU urban population were exposed to PM2.5 concentrations above WHO guidelines in 2021. Average annual PM2.5 levels in populated European cities like Rome, Berlin, and Paris are often double recommended limits. Sources of particulate matter emissions There are several sources of PM2.5 emissions in the European Union, including transportation, energy supply, and agriculture, but the biggest contributor is the residential, commercial, and institutional sector. While PM2.5 emissions from other sectors have fallen notably since the turn of the century, residential, commercial, and institutional emissions have seen little change.

Colombia Approved Construction: Social Recreation: Area: Risaralda data was reported at 512.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Social Recreation: Area: Risaralda data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22,614.000 sq m in Nov 2010 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Social Recreation: Area: Risaralda data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.

According to the Hurun Global Rich List 2024, the city with the highest number of billionaires in 2024 was New York. In detail, 119 billionaires resided in the American city. Furthermore, 97 billionaires lived in London, while Mumbai had a billionaire population of 92 individuals. New York was the only city in the world with more than 100 billionaires that year. Mega-cities of the world A large number of the world’s billionaires are concentrated in a select number of the world’s mega-cities. This has as much to do with the location of their wealth, business interests, and further earning potential, as does the quality of life in those cities. A look at the most significant industries in the global billionaire production line helps to explain the prominence of the traditional capitals of global business including New York, London and Hong Kong. The place of many Chinese cities on the list can in part be explained by the strong performance of industrial conglomerates from the country in recent years. Economic growth in China While New York is the city with the highest number of billionaires, China now boasts the most billionaires of any country in the world. However, eight of the top ten wealthiest billionaires still came from the United States as of 2024.

Colombia Approved Construction: Education: Area: Cesar data was reported at 341.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Education: Area: Cesar data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,475.000 sq m in Sep 2008 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Education: Area: Cesar data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.

Bulgaria Building Permits: Administrative Building: Sofia: Capital City data was reported at 6.000 Unit in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.000 Unit for Sep 2024. Bulgaria Building Permits: Administrative Building: Sofia: Capital City data is updated quarterly, averaging 7.000 Unit from Mar 2002 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 82 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.000 Unit in Sep 2005 and a record low of 3.000 Unit in Sep 2024. Bulgaria Building Permits: Administrative Building: Sofia: Capital City data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistical Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bulgaria – Table BG.EA002: Building Permits: Administrative Buildings: by Region.

Colombia Approved Construction: Social Recreation: Area: Vichada data was reported at 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Social Recreation: Area: Vichada data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Social Recreation: Area: Vichada data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.

Colombia Approved Construction: Others: Area: Quindío data was reported at 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Others: Area: Quindío data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,663.000 sq m in Jul 2018 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Others: Area: Quindío data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.

Colombia Approved Construction: Office: Area: Caquetá data was reported at 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Office: Area: Caquetá data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7,379.000 sq m in Jun 2015 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Office: Area: Caquetá data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.

In 2024, Colima in Mexico ranked as the world's most dangerous city with a homicide rate of 140 per 100,000 inhabitants. Seven of the 10 cities with the highest murder rates worldwide are all found in Mexico. The list does not include countries where war and conflict exist. Latin America dominate murder statistics Except for Mandela Bay, all the cities on the list are found in Latin America. Latin America also dominate the list of the world's most dangerous countries. Violence in Latin America is caused in great part by drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and gang wars. Crime in South Africa Mandela Bay in South Africa is the only city outside Latin America among the 10 most dangerous cities worldwide. The country is struggling with extremely high levels of inequality, and is struggling with high levels of crime and power outages, harming the country's economy and driving more people into unemployment and poverty.

Colombia Approved Construction: Others: Area: La Guajira data was reported at 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Others: Area: La Guajira data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Others: Area: La Guajira data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.

Colombia Approved Construction: Office: Area: Cundinamarca data was reported at 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 154.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Office: Area: Cundinamarca data is updated monthly, averaging 52.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,647.000 sq m in Apr 2017 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Office: Area: Cundinamarca data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.

Colombia Approved Construction: Education: Area: Casanare data was reported at 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 sq m for Mar 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Education: Area: Casanare data is updated monthly, averaging 0.000 sq m from Jan 2005 (Median) to Apr 2019, with 172 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26,663.000 sq m in Sep 2009 and a record low of 0.000 sq m in Apr 2019. Colombia Approved Construction: Education: Area: Casanare data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Administrative Department. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Colombia – Table CO.EA003: Approved Construction Area: by Purpose and Capital City.