The city with the largest population of Francophones is Kinshasa, the capital city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. French is the official language of the city, which has over 12 million residents within its urban area. Paris comes in at second on the list after Kinshasa.

The Lagos Lagoon is crossed by three bridges that connect Lagos Island to the Nigerian mainland: the Carter Bridge, Eko Bridge, and Third Mainland Bridge. As traffic increased throughout the 1970s and 80s, the Third Mainland Bridge — which is the lengthiest of the three main bridges at over seven miles long — was constructed to relieve congestion.

The world’s oldest Chinatown is located in the Binondo district of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. The Chinatown was established in 1594 at a time when the country was under Spanish rule, and its conquerors restricted the Chinese to this specific portion of the city. The neighborhood is now a vibrant hub known for its delicious cuisine.

Located west of downtown Kolkata, the Great Banyan tree is over 250 years old and covers 3.5 acres of land, making it the world’s widest tree. Though the site may appear to be many trees at first glance, the singular tree is made up of around 3,600 aerial roots that give the perception of a dense forest.

China’s third-largest city, Chongqing, sits along the Jialing River, which feeds into the Yangtze River. Originally known simply by a name that meant “river city,” Chongqing got its current name from Zhao Dun in 1189. He was both king of the region and later became the Song Emperor, and the name Chongqing was chosen to commemorate both of those celebrations.

The neighborhood of Xochimilco in Mexico City is highlighted by its massive canal system. The area was once a lake, and it was later formed into artificial fields by the Aztecs, leaving a canal system behind. Visitors can hop aboard colorful gondolas called “trajineras” that are led by pilots known as “trajineros,” who wield long steering poles.

Many consider Argentina’s capital the bookstore capital of the world, too. That’s because Buenos Aires is home to over 734 bookstores for its 2.8 million residents, equating to around 25 bookshops for every 100,000 citizens. Hong Kong ranks next for bookstores per capita, with around 22 bookstores per 100,000 residents, followed by Madrid and London.

Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city. It is built on land that once served as the Federal Capital Area of Pakistan shortly after the country achieved independence in the late 1940s. Today, Karachi remains the capital of Pakistan’s Sindh province, while Islamabad is the federal capital. Throughout Karachi’s existence, its various names have included Caranjee, Corchey, Krotchey, and many other similar pronunciations.

One of Japan’s cultural epicenters, Osaka is known for a style of puppetry called Bunraku. This style features half-life-size dolls performing a narrative accompanied by a samisen, which is a small three-stringed Japanese lute. The name “Bunraku” is derived from 19th-century puppet master Uemura Bunrakuken, who helped popularize the art form.

Bangladesh’s capital is Dhaka, a city in the south-central part of the Asian country. The name is said to be derived from the once-common dhak tree, and the “Hidden Goddess” Dhakeshwari whose shrine is located in Dhaka. The city’s origins date as far back as the first millennium CE, though it rose to prominence in the 17th century.

Oasis Restaurants and Entertainment holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest food court, covering a total floor area of 441,318 square feet. Opened in Cairo in 2011, this massive complex includes 25 restaurants and cafes, and has the capacity for 4,223 diners.

São Paulo, Brazil, is home to approximately 1.6 million people of Japanese descent, which is the largest concentration of Japanese individuals living outside of Asia. Historically, Japanese people began coming to Brazil in the early 20th century after the end of Japan’s feudal system, which forced many Japanese nationals to seek employment overseas.

With a total of 498 miles of track, Shanghai’s subway is the world’s longest metro system by route length. It also contains 396 stations, making it the second biggest metro in terms of total stations. Shanghai also has the world’s fastest train, the Shanghai Maglev, which can reach speeds of over 260 mph.

The Hagia Sophia was commissioned in 360 CE when Istanbul was known as Constantinople and it was the capital of the Christian Byzantine Empire. After two catastrophic fires, the third Hagia Sophia was built in 537 CE under Emperor Justinian, and that structure still stands today. The building was converted to a mosque after the Islamic Ottoman Empire conquered the city in 1453, and spent time as a church and a museum, until it was reverted back to a mosque in 2020.

Built in the mid-17th century during the Mughal Dynasty, Delhi’s Red Fort was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. The fort features a series of intimidating, 75-foot-tall red sandstone walls that enclose several places within, including several indoor canals and the Hall of Public Audience, which is supported by 60 red sandstone pillars.

Christ the Redeemer stands atop the summit of Mount Corcovado, above Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The statue was completed in 1931 and stands 98 feet tall, with outstretched arms that have a wingspan of 92 feet. The largest Art Deco sculpture in the world, the religious landmark can be reached by escalators and elevators.

Tokyo Tower is Japan’s answer to France’s Eiffel Tower, which inspired the design of Japan’s red-and-white version. Completed in 1958 and standing 1,092 feet tall, the Tokyo Tower was the world’s tallest freestanding tower upon its completion. The tower is divided into three sections, including the Top Deck, offering panoramic views over 800 feet above the city streets.

Situated on the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the capital of India's Maharashtra state. Mumbai was formerly known as Bombay, a name given during the British colonial period. In 1995, the city’s name was reverted back to Mumbai, which comes from the goddess Mumba, whose temple once stood in the southeastern portion of the city.

Beijing’s Forbidden City was commissioned in 1406 under the Ming dynasty, and it was first occupied in 1420. The palace earned its “forbidden” name because it was off limits to many of the realm’s subjects at the time. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the compound spans 178 acres in the center of China’s bustling capital city.

NYC’s now-ubiquitous nickname is credited to 1920s sports journalist John J. Fitz Gerald. In horse-racing, a “big apple” referred to major prize money that was available at larger races, and the biggest horse races at that time were in New York. Fitz Gerald heard two stablehands use the term to describe the city itself, and he popularized it in his column.