One of the first images that comes to mind when one thinks of a particular city is its skyline. Think - Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, and the likes. Get the drift! A skyline is like a fingerprint of a city because every skyline is unique. It has been described as an artificial horizon created by a city. A skyline is an overall or partial view of a city's architecture, using the sky as a backdrop. Given below is a list of some of the world's most beautiful skylines.
Gorgeous Cityscapes
Amsterdam
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The Netherlands
Amsterdam, the capital city of The Netherlands, is also the most populated city in this country, and one of the largest metropolitan areas is Europe. Apart from being notorious for its drug tolerance, it is famous for its canals, museums, parks and eateries. Colloquially known as the 'Venice of the North', because of its architectural beauty, Amsterdam has a breathtaking skyline, showing the absolutely amazing architecture this city boasts of.
Beijing
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People's Republic of China
Beijing is the capital city of the world's most populated country - the People's Republic of China. This city has seen tremendous growth where infrastructure and educational facilities are concerned. It is flocked with tourists owing to the wonderful sights it has to offer. The Beijing skyline, is characterized by tall buildings and skyscrapers. The term 'concrete jungle' is very apt for this beautiful city.
Buenos Aires
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Argentina
Often referred to as the Paris of South America, Buenos Aires is one of the most important cities in this sub-continent. It has the highest concentration of movie theaters in the world, and is the second largest tourist hub in South America. The Woman's Bridge or the Puente de la Mujer is the most striking feature in this city's skyline due to its unusual asymmetrical design.
Cape Town
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South Africa
This beautiful city in South Africa is best known for its scenic locations like Cape Point and Table Mountain. Cape Town is a photographer's paradise due to its beautiful lighting and skyline. It is the second largest city in South Africa, and is named the World Design Capital for 2014, by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. The skyline of Cape Town is most unusual, owing to the fact that it shows the beauty of the water, city, and Table Mountain, all in one shot.
Chicago
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United States of America
Dubbed as the 'Windy City' or the 'Second City', Chicago is the international hub for transport, finance, commerce, telecommunications, and industry. The metropolitan area of this city is called Chicagoland, because it includes parts of Indiana and Wisconsin. It ranks third in the United States for its population and size of the metropolitan area. The skyline of Chicago shows off the Willis Tower, which is the second tallest skyscraper in the United States of America.
Dubai
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United Arab Emirates
Dubai is the most progressive and developed emirate in the UAE. It is the largest among the seven emirates, and is considered to be an independent city-state. It sees hoards of tourists every year because of its famous Dubai Shopping Festival, and also because of sporting events like golf, formula 1 racing, cricket, etc. Dubai's skyline shows off the tallest building in the world - the Burj Khalifa.
Hong Kong
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People's Republic of China
Hong Kong is a city that is rich in culture and history. It is most famous for its beautiful skyline and harbor. Being one of the most populous cities in the world, the population of this city is 95% ethnic Chinese, and 5% other communities. The architecture of this city is spectacular, and it shows the excellent way in which this city has been planned and designed. The skyline of Hong Kong shows the spectacular International Commerce Centre, which is the 6th tallest skyscraper in the world.
Istanbul
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Turkey
Also known as Turkey's economic, historic, and cultural heart, Istanbul is a city with many faces. This city is a huge tourist, cultural, industrial, and entertainment hub. It is the largest city in Turkey, and has been named the European Capital of Culture in 2010. The Istanbul Sapphire, which is Turkey's tallest structure, enhances the beauty of the city's divine skyline.
Jakarta
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Indonesia
Jarkarta is the capital and largest city of Indonesia. Jabodetabek, the metropolitan area of Jakarta, is the second largest in the world. The growth rate of this city is faster than that of Beijing, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. The 250-meter tall Wisma 46, being the most prominent feature of Jakarta's skyline, is the tallest building in Indonesia.
Kuala Lumpur
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Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur is the federal capital of Malaysia, and has a lot to offer to tourists. It has numerous shopping centers, sight-seeing spots, city tours, and amazing places to eat at. The night life here is just spectacular, with cozy lounges and beautiful pubs. The tallest twin structures in the world, Petronas Twin Towers, make the skyline of this beautiful city absolutely unique.
Las Vegas
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United States of America
Las Vegas has been given many nicknames, such as - Vegas, Sin City, Capital of Second Chances, The Gambling Capital of the World, The Marriage Capital of the World, and The Entertainment Capital of the World. This beautiful and glamorous city is alive throughout the day with clubs, pubs, casinos, etc., catering to the needs of thousands of tourists. The skyline of Vegas shows off the city's casinos and hotel. This skyline is absolutely gorgeous, especially at night.
London
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England
London is one of the most diverse cities in the world in terms of population, culture, language, arts, fashion, media, economics, education, entertainment, finance, healthcare, media, professional services, research and development, tourism, and transport. This city houses four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, namely the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, and the historic settlement of Greenwich. Earlier, the skyline of London showed structures like the Big Ben and St. Paul's Cathedral, but now, the city has had a massive facelift. The skyline today shows structures like the Pinnacle, Swiss Re building, Tower 42, etc.
Los Angeles
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United States of America
Where diversity in population and culture is spoken about, Los Angeles walks away with the cake. This city is also called the 'City of Angels', and is famous for Hollywood, the movie and television hub in America. When it comes to fashion, transport, entertainment, business, hospitality, commerce, etc., LA is very advanced, making it a very prominent global city. Elegant commercial structures with the San Gabriel Mountains as their background is what makes this global city's skyline awe-inspiring.
Macau
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People's Republic of China
Macao is best known for its gambling, and its revenue is actually more than that of Las Vegas. Gambling and tourism are the main sources of income for this city. The tourist attractions of this city are wide-ranging from museums, to other activities like gambling, Greyhound racing, etc. This city is one of the two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China, the other being Hong Kong. The skyline of this city comes alive at night, when the entire city is illuminated with different colored lights from the casinos and hotels.
Melbourne
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Australia
According to the Economist Group's Intelligence Unit (in 2011 and 2012), Melbourne is ranked as the world's most liveable city. Melbourne is known for its culture, innovation, sports, music, and educational centers. The location and sights of this city are so picturesque, that many films and television series are shot here. The most prominent feature of this city's skyline is 101 Collins Street. This skyscraper stands out from the rest because of its beautiful modern design.
Miami
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United States of America
Miami is the fourth-largest urban area in the United States, and its port is known as the 'Cruise Capital of the World'. It is the richest city in the United States of America. This city is absolutely beautiful, and was ranked as 'Americas Cleanest City' by Forbes magazine in 2008. Miami boasts of having around 307 high-rise structures, and the skyline of this city does full justice in showing the most prominent ones.
Moscow
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Russia
The second largest community of billionaires in the world is in the city of Moscow, according to Forbes magazine 2012. It is the northernmost megacity in the world, with a population of approximately 11.5 million people. Moscow is a city that is rich in architecture, art, industry, infrastructure, culture, sports, and tourism. The Moskva River is one of the highlights of Moscow's skyline, as the city got its name from this river.
New York City
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United States of America
Due to its advancement in the fields of commerce, finance, technology, education, fashion, art, research, media, and entertainment, New York City is considered to be one of the most powerful cities in the world. Due it the diversity in every aspect, this city is also known as the cultural capital of the world. It has various nicknames such as 'The Big Apple', 'The City That Never Sleeps', 'The Center of the Universe', etc. The skyline of this city is exquisite, as it shows how much the city has advanced in terms of infrastructure, showcasing buildings like the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, Bank of America Tower, to name a few.
Osaka
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Japan
Osaka is Japan's third most populated city. It is the second largest city in Japan and seventh largest in the world. It is a prominent economic center, and is considered to be the 'nation's kitchen' due to its rice trading center. The Osaka World Trade Center Building is the most prominent feature of the city's beautiful skyline.
Paris
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France
Paris, also dubbed as the 'City of Love', is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. The perfect blend of old and modern art and architecture, which is seen on every nook and corner of the city, makes it unique. It is the capital of France, and is fairly advanced where education, entertainment, media, science, and arts is concerned. The most unique part about the skyline of this city is the Eiffel Tower. No matter how many times you see this structure, you will be in awe of its sheer beauty.
Rio de Janeiro
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Brazil
Rio de Janeiro, a.k.a. Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, and also its second largest city. It is one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere, because of its scenic beauty, climate, tourist attractions, beaches, carnivals, festivities, nightlife, etc. The skyline of this beautiful city is characterized by the statue of 'Christ the Redeemer', which is the largest Art Deco statue in the world.
Seattle
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United States of America
Seattle is best known for its urban development, as it is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States of America. It is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of North America, and is also the eight largest port in the world. The Space Needle, Safeco Plaza, Seattle Municipal Tower, Columbia Center, 1201 Third Avenue, and Two Union Square, are the skyscrapers that are most prominent in this city's skyline.
Sydney
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Australia
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia, and is located on the continent's southeastern coast. It is a high ranking city in the world because of its urban development. This beautiful city has hosted many sporting events like the Commonwealth Games, the Summer Olympics, and the Rugby World Cup. The Chifley Tower, Sydney Tower, and Citigroup Center, are the highlights of this urban city's skyline.
Tokyo
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Japan
The capital of Japan, Tokyo, has the largest metropolitan area in the world - Greater Tokyo Area. The movie 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift', did not do complete justice in showing the beauty of this city. Tokyo is a very important city in the world, as it is considered as one of the three command centers after London and New York. The most prominent structure of this city, seen in its skyline, is the Tokyo Skytree, which is the second tallest structure in the world.
Toronto
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Canada
Toronto is the largest city in Canada, and is its commercial capital. This city is one of the world's most diverse cities with regards to its population. Approximately 49% of its total population consists of citizens that have been born outside Canada. The architecture of this city is very eye-catching, because you can see a blend between olden and modern-day architecture. The tallest free standing structure in the Western Hemisphere - the CN tower, is a salient feature of Toronto's skyline.
Venice
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Italy
Venice has been very fondly acquired the monikers 'City of Canals', 'La Dominante', 'City of Bridges', 'Serenissima', 'City of Masks', 'City of Water', 'The Floating City', and 'Queen of the Adriatic'. It is one of the most beautiful cities built by man. The buildings of this city are constructed on piles made from the trunks of alder trees. The most notable features of this city are its waterways, art, architecture, trade in spices, and culture. The skyline of this city is not the typical one with tall buildings, towers, or fancy modern architecture. It is simple, with smaller buildings, tiled roofs, and that's what makes it so different and beautiful.
It is indeed an incredible sight to behold, when natural shades of the sky and greens of the earth merge with man-made lights and abstract blocks in between. The concrete jungle is rare in this way; you can take your time to enjoy every corner of its individually, or stand back and take it all in one shot.
