World city

A world city, or a , is a city with a set of somewhat subjective traits, usually including a fairly large population; an international airport; in the West, several international cultures and communities (such as a Chinatown, a Little Italy, or other immigrant communities); international financial institutions, corporations (especially conglomerates), and stock exchanges; a variety of cultural institutions and venues such as film festivals and premieres, theatrical plays (especially in London and New York), art museums and natural history museums; and a unique cultural air and sophistication produced by its inhabitants, non-chain retailers and eateries (especially outdoor cafés), natural background, and landmarks. Several powerful and influential media outlets with an international reach are also based in the world cities, such as the BBC, The New York Times, Le Monde, The Times of London, and The Wall Street Journal. Many of these cities are renowned tourist attractions.

New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo are considered the top four world cities - incidentally, they also serve as symbols of global capitalism. Beyond these, most people have a personal subjective list, and any two lists are very likely to differ based on cultural background, values, and experience. A devout Moslem, for example, might feel that Mecca is a world city, an Arab that Cairo is one, an Australian that both Sydney and Melbourne are, all while rejecting the others' claims out of unfamiliarity or differing values.

In order to boost urban regeneration, tourism, and revenue, the goal of building a world-class city has recently become an obsession with the governments and populaces of mid-size cities in the United States, such as Louisville, Columbus, Indianapolis, etc. Most of these would not be recognised outside the U.S. as "world cities."