New
New
Global cities and megacities
I can explain how some cities have a global influence.
Lesson 4 of 12
New
New
- Year 8
Global cities and megacities
I can explain how some cities have a global influence.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Global cities influence business, banking and culture around the world.
- Not all megacities (10 million or more) are global cities and vice versa.
- Global cities are hubs for international travel.
- Global cities are diverse and multicultural.
- The influence of different cities changes over time.
Keywords
Megacity - a city with a population of over 10 million people
Global city - a city that has a major international influence, for example, on trade and travel, culture and politics (ideas)
Multicultural - including people with different cultures and beliefs and reflecting this diversity in a place’s food, fashion, architecture, etc.
Common misconception
All megacities are global cities because they are so big.
Not all megacities are global cities. While megacities have populations of over 10 million, global cities are defined by their international influence in areas such as finance, culture, politics, and transport.
Use well-known examples (e.g. New York, London, Lagos, Tokyo) to help students distinguish between global cities and megacities. Visuals such as maps or global company headquarters can support understanding of influence beyond just size.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is meant by ‘quality of life’ in a city?
What is meant by ‘quality of life’ in a city?
The number of houses in the area
The speed of buses and trains
The type of food sold in the market
Q2.Cities usually have higher population density than rural areas. What does this mean?
Cities usually have higher population density than rural areas. What does this mean?
Cities have more green spaces
Fewer people live close together
Everyone owns a car
Q3.Many people move to cities looking for better opportunities.
Many people move to cities looking for better opportunities.
Q4.Which of these is an example of informal housing?
Which of these is an example of informal housing?
A newly built apartment block
A government-owned house
A house with a large garden
Q5.What might attract someone to live in a city?
What might attract someone to live in a city?
Fewer schools and clinics
Quiet surroundings
Low air pollution
Q6.Which of these best describes an urban area?
Which of these best describes an urban area?
Countryside and farmland
Forest and river
Mountains and valleys
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to their definitions:
Match the keywords to their definitions:
Q2.What is the population threshold for a city to be called a megacity?
What is the population threshold for a city to be called a megacity?
Over 5 million
Over 1 million
Over 100 million
Q3.Which of these best describes a global city?
Which of these best describes a global city?
A city with lots of tourists
A city that has over 10 million people
A city with many parks
Q4.A city has a major influence around the world, in areas like finance and politics.
A city has a major influence around the world, in areas like finance and politics.
Q5.A student says, “All megacities are also global cities because they are so big.” What’s a better understanding?
A student says, “All megacities are also global cities because they are so big.” What’s a better understanding?
All megacities are global cities because of their population
Global cities are always smaller than megacities
There’s no difference between them
