It is estimated that 50% of the world’s population lives in a city. This rate is believed to grow to 70% in the 2050′s. This phenomenal growth can be attributed to the lure of not just economic opportunities, but also to loss of farmland, pollution or conflict. Moreover the attraction and anonymity of hedonistic pleasures that cities have to offer play an important role in a world that satisfies the needs of the modern individualist.
About a month ago, New York City made headlines worldwide. It was for the first time in decades that the city hadn’t experienced a homicide in 24 hours. A total of 414 homicides occurred in 2012 in the City, which means that the murder rate of the Big Apple has fallen to 3.8 homicides per 100,000 residents. Compared to 1990, the current rate is five times lower. But even in those days New York would have been a relative safe place to live compared to the cities in the next list. The following cities are the most violent in the world in terms of homicides per 100,000 residents. Here’s a top 10 most violent cities!
Only a month ago we could witness the vulnerability of a coastal city. Hurricane Sandy hit the New York agglomeration, causing 253 fatalities and an economic loss of an estimated 65 billion dollar. Rising sea levels could threaten many coastal cities worldwide. The French based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) explored the city-scale risks of climate change and conducted a list of coastal cities that are most exposed to coastal flooding in terms of both economic loss and exposed population.
So here’s a list of top 10 cities most exposed to coastal flooding in terms of current exposed population.
Mesopotamia can claim the earliest cities. However, cities like Uruk (the largest city of the world in 2900 BC with an estimated 80.000 inhabitants) and Ur were abandoned during the Islamic conquests. In this list we’re looking for the oldest permanently inhabitated cities. The Middle East keeps playing an important role in this list, but find out which other cities complete the next top 10 list!
Most people hate traffic jams. Naturally. You’ll be late for your appointment. If you open the window you’ll be breathing polluted air. You’ve got to stay alert on the cars just ahead of you. Traffic jams are annoying. The advantages however are that you can flirt a lot, that is, if someone is flirtworthy. But you can also take some time for a shave, to send some mails or whatever. TomTom, a company specialized in car navigation, conducted a study to find out where in Europe you’re most likely to get stuck. Here’s the list of Europe’s most congested cities and find how many time you lose!
Check the top 10 list
People cling together. Preferrably in in big cities. So where do most people live? Check our top 10 list of biggest cities in the world:
Check the top 10 list