Is Shanghai the biggest city in the world?

Is Shanghai the Largest City in the World? A Look at Its Massive Urban Sprawl

When it comes to sheer size and population, Shanghai stands as a true metropolitan behemoth. Its urban sprawl, encompassing an area of over 6,340 square kilometers, houses a staggering 29 million residents, making it the most populous city in China. However, the question of whether Shanghai qualifies as the largest city in the world is a complex one, as several definitions of “largest” exist.

Defining “Largest City”

• By City Limits: This definition considers the size of a city’s administrative boundaries. By this measure, Tokyo, Japan, with an area of over 2,190 square kilometers, ranks as the largest city globally.
• By Urban Area: This definition focuses on the contiguous urbanized area, including the city proper and its surrounding suburbs. Using this definition, Shanghai’s urban area, spanning over 8,300 square kilometers, makes it the largest urban area in the world.
• By Metropolitan Area: This definition encompasses the urban area and the surrounding suburban and rural areas that are economically and socially intertwined. In this regard, Tokyo’s metropolitan area, with a population of over 38 million, is the largest in the world.

Shanghai’s Standing: Urban Area vs. City Limits

While Shanghai’s urban area is the largest in the world, its city limits are significantly smaller than other megacities like Tokyo. This is due to China’s administrative divisions, which often divide urban areas into multiple districts with independent governments. As a result, Shanghai’s city proper has an area of just over 6,340 square kilometers, placing it below Tokyo in terms of city size.

Conclusion

Based on the different definitions of “largest city,” Shanghai’s ranking varies. By city limits, it is not the largest globally. However, its sprawling urban area makes it the most populous urban area in the world. When it comes to metropolitan areas, Tokyo holds the distinction of having the largest population. Ultimately, the designation of “largest city” depends on the specific definition used, with Shanghai ranking highly in terms of both urban area and overall population.