MY SELECTED LIST OF CITIES (PART 1)

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh!

Hello, everyone! Welcome to my very first blog! I am Muhammad Luqmanulhakim bin Mohd Aziz, currently further my studies in the first level of degree in Teaching English as Second Language (TESL), in International Islamic University Malaysia, Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia.

    First of all, I will like to thank Allah on willing me to create a blog here. By the way, do you guys enjoy your holiday? Love to travel to refresh your mind from your business? I am pretty sure that you guys would love to travel to beautiful places in our country, or even abroad! Have you ever visited a city and simply getting struck with its beauty? If you haven't, try to spend your time to take a trip to these cities...it is well worth the price and experience, even if you want to visit just one of them! Which one is your favourite city? Let's take a view on my list of a hundred big, gorgeous cities so that after this you can set your mind on which one would you eager to plan for your vacation!

North America

1. Toronto

Starting the countdown is Toronto in southeast of Canada. Located in the state of Ontario, this city which is situated along Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore boasts its status as Canada's largest city by both area and population. Besides that, this city is well-known for its iconic CN Tower.

2. Montreal

Besides being the largest city in Canada's majority-French Québec province, it is set on an island in the St. Lawrence River and named after Mt. Royal, the triple-peaked hill at its heart. Its boroughs, many of which were once independent cities, including neighbourhoods ranging from cobblestoned, French colonial Vieux-Montréal with the Gothic Revival Notre-Dame Basilica at its centre to bohemian Plateau.

3. Seattle

Set in United States' northwestern state of Washington, this city is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, and contains thousands of acres of parkland. Furthermore, it is a home to some large technology industries, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered in its metropolitan area. The futuristic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy, is its most iconic landmark.

4. San Francisco

Colloquially known as SF, San Fran, or "The City", is the popular cultural, commercial, and financial center in northern side of California. It covers an area of about 46.89 square miles (121.4 square km), mostly at the north end of the San Francisco Peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area and is famous for its iconic Golden Gate and the tower of Transamerica Pyramid.

5. Los Angeles

Founded in 1835, this city is commonly known by its initials, L. A. and it is the most populous city in the state of California, also the second in United States. The metropolis has a diverse economy and hosts businesses in a broad range of professional and cultural fields. It is also famous for its movie, television, and recording industry, especially Hollywood. A global city, it has been ranked 6th in the Global Cities Index and 9th in the Global Economic Power Index.

6. Las Vegas

Often known as Vegas, this city is actually located in the state of Nevada and it is a resort city famed for its vibrant nightlife, centered around 24-hour casinos and other entertainment options. This boulevard is home to themed hotels with elaborate displays such as fountains synchronized to music as well as replicas of an Egyptian pyramid, the Venetian Grand Canal, and the Eiffel Tower.

7. Miami

Located in southeastern tip of Florida state, Miami is also a major tourism hub for international visitors, ranking second in the country after New York City. Nicknamed the "Capital of Latin America", it is special as the largest city with a Cuban-American plurality. In addition, the city has the third tallest skyline in the U.S. with over 300 high-rises available.

8. Chicago

This city is set alongside Lake Michigan, in Illinois. Founded in 1837, Chicago is famed for its bold architecture and a skyline punctuated by skyscrapers such as the iconic John Hancock Center, Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower.

9. Washington, D.C.

Established after the American Revolution as the seat of government of the newly independent country, Washington was named after George Washington, the first president of the United States after gaining independence from Britain in 1776. This city is also known for its iconic White House and Lincoln Memorial.

10. New York

Located at the southern tip of the state of New York, the city is the center of the New York metropolitan area, the largest metropolitan area in the world by urban landmass and one of the world's most populous megacities. A global power city, New York City has been described as world hub of cultural, financial, and media. Besides that, the megacity is famous for its Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building.

11. Mexico City

Known as Ciudad de Mexico in Spanish, this megacity boasts its status as the largest city in North America by population, approximately over 20 million people! This Mexican capital is both the oldest capital city in the Americas and one of two founded by Native Americans, the other being Quito, Ecuador. Greater Mexico City has a GDP of $411 billion in 2011, making it as one of the most productive urban areas in the world.

12. Havana

La Habana in Spanish, this Cuban capital city is listed among the largest cities in Caribbean region. Founded in 16th century, it served as a stopping point for treasure-laden Spanish galleons returning to Spain due to its strategic location. The old city was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.