London, capital of the world

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

London has topped the most exhaustive comparison ever compiled of the world's great cities in a finding that sees Britain's capital outstrip global rivals as a centre of economic performance and cultural significance.

Following months of research of population figures, financial markets, tourism trends, transport facilities and data relating to sports and arts events and transport, the study comes to a dramatic conclusion: London is the world's capital city.

The survey was carried out by The Independent and, for the first time, allows a direct comparison of global cities.

Around the world, civic competition is reaching new heights as cities strive to provide the finest creative, culinary and tourist experiences. This is creating powerhouses such as Delhi and Beijing.

Closer to home, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Glasgow are proving themselves to be dynamic Celtic conurbations. Yet it is London that rises above all other cities.

The measurable and objective data, which can all be found on The Independent's website at www.independent.co.uk/capitals, throws up some remarkable findings and reveals which urban rivals come out on top, which cities look set to climb rapidly up the rankings and which metropolises are seeing their grandeur and magnificence surpassed.

With one of the world's most ebullient stock exchanges, a bustling and economically attractive City, the highest number of Unesco World Heritage Sites in any city, and a truly international restaurant scene that typifies its cultural make-up with more ethnic restaurants than any other metropolis, London scores highly across the board.

Paris came third, winning the title of Continental Europe's capital thanks to its financial clout and busy international airports.

London achieved particularly strong ratings for its much-maligned underground Tube network (the world's first), its cultural credentials and for hosting the Olympic Games twice in a century (1908 and 1948).

The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said the research showed London's strength lay in its multicultural makeup: "London is establishing itself as the world's number one financial centre and greatest city in the world. Londoners are proud of our 'unity in diversity' and regard the multiculturalism of our city as one of its greatest strengths. With over 300 languages spoken here, London is literally the most international city in the world. Its financial sector, its creative industries and its tourism industry all rely, in different ways, on their relations with the rest of the world and, with the achievements of winning the Olympic Games and hosting major sporting events like the Tour de France, we have proved the success of becoming the city that embraces globalisation."

Laurent Feniou, 36, a banker who moved with his family to England in 1995 and has since set up the annual "Francais of the Year" to honour members of London's 300,000-strong French expat community, was not surprised that London had been voted ahead of Paris. "You never really feel like a foreigner in central London," he said. "Whether it's food, clothes or people, the diversity is just amazing. I think it's a very safe city – I drive to work with my scooter, something I would never do in Paris. "

At the bottom of the table come Addis Ababa and Beirut. But there are surprises too. Among them is Mexico City at tenth place. At first glance Mexico's sprawling megacity might look like an unlikely contender. But with three Unesco World Heritage sites, an extensive underground rail network to rival most Western cities and one of the busiest airports in the region, Mexico's capital scores high enough in cultural and international significance to warrant being the city with the highest rank in the developing world.

Other cities that make the top 10 are those urban sprawls that regularly appear on the all-time desirable destinations lists. New York is narrowly pipped to the post by London by just two points, but the Big Apple does beat all its competitors in terms of flights, market capitalisation of its stock exchanges and as the location for the highest number of headquarters for global corporations. Paris, which lags a full 10 points behind London, is three places above Madrid (6th) and six ahead of Rome (9th). Despite being regarded as one of the cuisine capitals of the world, however, where the French capital fell down in particular was on diversity, boasting just 10 ethnic restaurants in the Paris Time Out City Guide.

Chicago, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco all made it into the top 15. Other cities to perform well in the survey included Tokyo, but Asian centres such as Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai are closing in. Delhi and Mumbai both came in way ahead of Russia's former capital St Petersburg, the laidback bliss of Melbourne and even the balmy Mediterranean delights of Israel's capital Tel Aviv. Dublin came in at 30, four places ahead of Edinburgh, while Glasgow was at 42.

As The Independent's award-winning economics expert Hamish McRae writes in today's Traveller Magazine, by measuring such a broad spectrum of criteria the survey shines an enlightening spotlight on to what is actually happening in this increasingly globalised world: "We now live in a more global economy than at any previous stage in the history of our species. So what The Independent Traveller has created here is not so much a league table as, by looking at cities, an exploration of globalisation itself."

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_brit...icle3276224.ece

[JODO 2]

Ever visited London VJ Troll? I have it on my "to do list". I don't think anything compares to the City of Lights though, a whole 10 points behind???!!!

[mustang-sally 8]

Ever visited London VJ Troll? I have it on my "to do list". I don't think anything compares to the City of Lights though, a whole 10 points behind???!!!

London is a city of multiculture, try finding someone English there!!!!! Last time I went (September), I felt so out of place because I don't speak German.

I do prefer a smaller city any day, being packed like a sardine on the tube and fighting my way to try and see the tourist sights is my idea of hell!!!!

[Amby 490]

I love London...I wish it were still my home but Neil hates London. Poor me

[Peikko 1,575]

Fantastic place to visit, to live? Not my personal idea of heaven. I am not quite sure of what use these comparisons really are though.

Edited December 22, 2007 by Purple_Hibiscus

[mustang-sally 8]

I hate London.

Can't think of any worse place to live. If I go there, not often, then its a couple of days visit then out again with a big sigh of relief!!!!

[PlatyPius 5]

I just really hate cities. The largest city I've lived in comfortably was Cheyenne, Wyoming. That's what? 60,000 people? I've lived in Indy, and hated it. Ditto for Denver. I prefer towns of 15,000 or less, or - preferably - no town at all. Gimme a cabin in the forest and I'll be happy.

Mags, on the other hand, likes London. She can function fine in a city, and misses it now somewhat. My intolerance of cities is one of the reasons that she is here rather than me being there. I can't help it.... Once you've lived in Wyoming with the nearest person being 10 miles away, ya kinda get spoiled.

[~*Maria*~ 1]

I hate London. Give me Glasgow any day of the week

[JODO 2]

Why do people hate London?

[PlatyPius 5]

Why do people hate London?

Because it's huge?

Because there are hardly any British people in London?

Because "Traditional British Food" these days means stir-fry or curry?

Because there are cameras EVERYwhere watching you every minute?

[Peikko 1,575]

Hardly any British people in London? Sorry, but that's funny.

As for British food? Heck, who needs soggy chips and gristly meat? I'll take the curry over any pathetic excuse for British food that used to get served up in a cafe any day of the week.

As for the cameras, I can't say as I noticed them but I know they are meant be there.

[Kazan' Tiger 1]

London. Great city? Yes. Capital of the world? No.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

London. Great city? Yes. Capital of the world? No.

Well put

[JODO 2]

But if the city is taking on foreign influences, isn't it just regenerating itself? I had a friend, an expat, who was sent to London and she liked it.

[Lance27 19]

London. Great city? Yes. Capital of the world? No.

Agreed on that one.

The Independent is a British Newspaper. I'd like to see a more 'Independent' comparison