MUMBAI Population: 13,922,125 Mumbai (formerly Bombay), is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial

capital of India. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. Mumbai's port handles over half of India's maritime cargo. Mumbai is the commercial and entertainment centre of India, generating 5% of India's GDP and accounting for large percentages of industrial output, trade and capital transactions for India's economy. Mumbai is home to important financial institutions and is the corporate headquarters of many Indian companies and numerous multinational corporations. The city also houses India's Hindi film and television industry, known as Bollywood. Mumbai's business opportunities, as well as its potential to offer a better standard of living, attract migrants from all over India and, in turn, make the city a blend of many communities and cultures.

SHANGHAI Population: 18,884,600 Shanghai (Chinese: ) is the largest city in China in terms of population and one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world, with almost 20 million people. It is located on China's central eastern coast at the mouth of the Yangtze River. Originally a fishing and textiles town, the city flourished as a center of commerce between east and west, and became a multinational hub of finance and business by the 1930s. However, Shanghai's prosperity was interrupted after the 1949 Communist takeover and the subsequent end of foreign investment. Economic reforms in 1990 led to development and financing in Shanghai, and in 2005 Shanghai became the world's busiest cargo port. The city is an emerging tourist destination renowned for its historical landmarks such as the Bund and Xintiandi, its modern and ever-expanding Pudong skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower, and its new reputation as a cosmopolitan center of culture and design.

MOSCOW Population: 15,000,000 Moscow (Russian: ), is the capital and the largest city of the Russian Federation. It is also the largest city in Europe, with the Moscow metropolitan area ranking among the largest urban areas in the world. It is located on the Moskva River in the Central Federal District, in the European part of Russia. Historically, it was the capital of the former Soviet Union, Russian Empire, Tsardom of Russia and the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It is now a major economic centre and is home to the largest number of billionaires in the world; in 2008 Moscow was named the world's most expensive city for foreign employees for the third year in a row. Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the world. It possesses a complex transport system, that includes one of the world s busiest metro systems which is famous for its architecture and artwork.

MEXICO CITY Population: 8, 836, 045 Mexico City is the capital city of Mexico. It is located in the Valley of Mexico, at an altitude of 2,240 meters. It was originally built as Tenochtitlan by the Aztecs in 1325. The city was almost completely destroyed in the siege of 1521, and was redesigned and rebuilt in the following years following the Spanish urban standards. Today, it is the most important economic, industrial, and cultural center in the country, as well as the most populous city. Mexico City is one of the most important cultural centers in the world boasting more museums than any other city. Mexico City is the country's most important center for the television, advertising, music, newspaper and book publishing industries. The city is also a leading center of popular culture and music. Famous landmarks in the Historic Center include the Plaza de la Constitucin, the main central square, with its Spanish-era Metropolitan Cathedral and National Palace, and Aztec temple ruins Templo Mayor.

NEW YORK CITY Population: 8,274,527 New York City is the most populous city in the United States. New York served as the capital of the United States from 1785 until 1790, and has been the nation's largest city since 1790. Located on the Atlantic coast of the Northeastern United States, the city consists of five boroughs: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. New York is unique among American cities for the overall density and diversity of its population. In 2005, nearly 170 languages were spoken in the city and 36% of its population was born outside the United States. It is the birthplace of many cultural movements, including the Harlem Renaissance in literature and visual art, abstract expressionism in painting, and hip hop, punk, salsa and disco music. It is a leading global city, exerting a powerful influence over worldwide commerce, finance, culture, and entertainment. World-famous monuments include the Statue of Liberty , Wall Street, the Empire State Building and the twin towers of the former World Trade Center. The city is also an important center for international affairs, hosting the United Nations headquarters.