Source: adapted from The 2008 World City Index, Foreign Policy, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4509
World Cities, 2008
World Cities can be defined as the roles they perform in global economic, financial, cultural, transportation and cultural affairs. Each world city has an unique mix of strengths representing a specialization in the global realm. The above map represents a three tiers classification of the world's 55 most significant cities established according to the following criteria:
| Recognition | First-name familiarity; a city is recognized without the need for a political subdivision (e.g. London, UK or Paris, France). |
| Influence in international affairs | Washington, Berlin, Brussels are major capitals of influence. New York; United Nations. |
| Large population | Population of at least one million, typically several million. |
| Transport hub | Major port and/or airport facilities. Several highways and/or a large mass transit network (rapid transit, light rail, regional rail, ferry, or bus). |
| Large cultural communities | Several international cultural groups and/or expatriate communities. |
| International institutions | Financial institutions, law firms, corporate headquarters, international conglomerates, and stock exchanges (influence on the global economy). Cultural institutions (museums and universities). |
| Media and telecommunications | Several powerful and influential media outlets with an international reach. Advanced communications infrastructure (fiber optics, Wi-Fi networks, cellular phone services). |
| International events | An active cultural scene (film festivals, music or theatre scene, an orchestra, an opera company, art galleries). Major sport events (e.g. Olympics, World Cup). |