There is no global definition for what constitutes a "city". It may be conferred by legal status, a pre-defined population density threshold, or another factor -- but bottom line is, you can't really identify the "smallest" city in the world, because my idea of a town might be somebody else's idea of a city, and someone else's idea of a mere suburb.
Largest city is a lot easier -- and more interesting -- to identify.
On the basis of population:
Seoul: Capital of South Korea. 10.231 million people within the city boundaries.
Tokyo-Yokohama -- the capital of Japan and city next door it has merged into -- takes the honour of most populated urban area. Population in the greater urban area of Tokyo-Yokohama=33.2 million. Next biggest city is New York City, at a mere 17.8 million in the greater metropolitan area.
In terms of land area: New York City, NY state, USA, takes the honour of biggest city limits. It stretches over 8683 sq km -- next biggest city is Tokyo-Yokohama, at a mere 6993 sq km.
Alarmingly, Tokyo does not take the honours for highest population density (it only has 4750 people per sq. Km, and ranks about 50th in the world for population density). The winner on most densely populated city is Mumbai (India, formerly Bombay) with a massive 29,650 residents per sq km.
More stats here.
.
Largest city is a lot easier -- and more interesting -- to identify.
On the basis of population:
Seoul: Capital of South Korea. 10.231 million people within the city boundaries.
Tokyo-Yokohama -- the capital of Japan and city next door it has merged into -- takes the honour of most populated urban area. Population in the greater urban area of Tokyo-Yokohama=33.2 million. Next biggest city is New York City, at a mere 17.8 million in the greater metropolitan area.
In terms of land area: New York City, NY state, USA, takes the honour of biggest city limits. It stretches over 8683 sq km -- next biggest city is Tokyo-Yokohama, at a mere 6993 sq km.
Alarmingly, Tokyo does not take the honours for highest population density (it only has 4750 people per sq. Km, and ranks about 50th in the world for population density). The winner on most densely populated city is Mumbai (India, formerly Bombay) with a massive 29,650 residents per sq km.
More stats here.
.
