Top 10 Most Livable Cities in the World

Toronto is Canada's largest city and a top choice for students planning to study abroad in Canada. To help you gain a better understanding of this beautiful city and prepare for your journey to study in Canada, this article by IDP provides useful information about Toronto's history, its people, and must-see attractions for students in Canada.

Founded by the British in the 18th century along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the capital of Ontario, with a population of approximately 6 million people from various ethnic backgrounds, offering a vibrant mix of cultures and traditions.

Canada places great importance on cultural diversity and was the first country in the world to implement a national cultural policy. As the largest city in Canada, Toronto showcases a strong cultural identity in its growth and development.

This is reflected in the city's three distinct Chinatowns, a Little Italy, and a Greektown, providing a vibrant cultural life for its residents and offering a warm welcome to the thousands of international students studying in Canada.

Melbourne is located in the southeastern corner of the Australian continent, making it the southernmost major city on the continent. Geologically, the city is built on the convergence of a Quaternary lava flow heading west and Holocene sand deposits stretching east-southeast along Port Phillip Bay. The city's suburbs extend eastward along the Yarra River, reaching the Yarra and Dandenong Ranges to the southeast, while the western and northern areas follow the Maribyrnong River and its branches, spreading into the plains. The central business district, originally known as the city's heart, lies on the famous Hoddle Grid, with its southern edge facing the Yarra River.

Melbourne is the capital and largest city of the state of Victoria, and the second-largest city in Australia after Sydney, with a population of around 4.8 million as of 2012, including the suburbs and city center. The city's motto, "Vires acquirit eundo," means "we grow stronger as we go." Many people don't know that Melbourne was once the capital of Australia from 1901 to 1927. The city is named after British Prime Minister William Lamb, the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, who lived near Melbourne in Derbyshire, England. The name Melbourne originates from the Old English term Mylla Burne, meaning "Mill Stream."

Melbourne has twice been named by The Economist as the "Most Livable City in the World," based on factors like culture, weather, cost of living, and social conditions, first in 2002 and again in 2004. In 2005, Melbourne slipped to second place behind Vancouver, Canada. The Utne Reader magazine wrote: "With a rich and proud tradition, a multicultural community, and the best food in Australia, you have the perfect formula for what many call the best city in the Southern Hemisphere."

Amsterdam is the official capital of the Netherlands, located on the shores of IJmeer Bay and the Amstel River. The city was founded in the 12th century as a small fishing village along the Amstel River. Today, it is the largest city in the Netherlands, serving as the political and economic hub. Situated in the province of Noord-Holland in the western part of the country, Amsterdam has a population of 1.36 million (including suburbs) as of January 1, 2008. It forms part of the northern region of Randstad, the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Europe, with a total population of around 6.7 million people.

Before World War I, the city began expanding again, with new suburban areas being developed. Despite the Netherlands maintaining its neutrality during the war, Amsterdam faced severe food shortages, and heating fuel became scarce. This led to riots, known as the Aardappeloproer (Potato Uprising), where people looted stores and warehouses for food supplies.

On January 1, 1921, following the 1916 flood, several nearby self-governing towns, such as Durgerdam, Holysloot, Zunderdorp, and Schellingwoude, were merged into Amsterdam at their own request. The city continued to expand between the wars, especially in the western Jordaan district and Frederik Hendrikbuurt, along with neighboring areas.

The largest city in Australia, Sydney is famous for its stunning harbour, beautiful beaches, and bustling economic and administrative center, offering non-stop excitement. It is home to a multicultural community and truly embodies the spirit of an international city. If you only have a few days to explore, focus on the vibrant city center and the pristine beaches in the eastern and southeastern suburbs.

Visit the Opera House, climb the Harbour Bridge, catch a show, surf at Bondi Beach, or simply relax with a coffee or stroll through the trendy Surry Hills. If you have more time, venture further afield: try a bowl of pho in Marrickville, located in Sydney's Inner West; hop on a train to the Blue Mountains; or enjoy a leisurely walk in the Royal National Park.

Make sure to book a table at one of the city's top restaurants. Consider dining at Quay or Aria for breathtaking views and exquisite five-star meals. If you're after something more budget-friendly and family-friendly, head to Chinatown, on the edge of the city center. There are plenty of options here, from casual eateries serving food at the counter to late-night specialty dishes at the Golden Century Seafood Restaurant.

The walk from Bondi to Bronte takes you along spectacular cliffs and beaches in the eastern suburbs. Between April and December, you can spot migrating whales and marvel at the natural rock formations along the way, near Mackenzies Bay.

Stockholm is the capital of Sweden and the largest city in the Nordic countries, with a population of 949,761 in the municipality, about 1.5 million in the metropolitan area, and 2.3 million in the urban region. The city stretches across fourteen islands where Lake Mälaren flows into the Baltic Sea. Just outside the city, along the coast, lies the Stockholm Archipelago. This region has been inhabited since the Stone Age, around 6000 BC, and was officially founded as a city in 1252 by the Swedish statesman Birger Jarl. It is also the capital of Stockholm County.

Stockholm is the cultural, media, political, and economic hub of Sweden. The Stockholm region contributes more than a third of the country's total GDP and ranks among the top 10 regions in Europe for GDP per capita. The city is a major global center, home to the headquarters of various Nordic organizations.

The city boasts several top European universities, including the Stockholm School of Economics, the Karolinska Institute, and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). It hosts the Nobel Prize award ceremony and annual banquet at the Stockholm Concert Hall and the Stockholm City Hall. One of the city's most acclaimed museums, the Vasa Museum, is the most visited non-art museum in Scandinavia.

Stockholm's subway system, opened in 1950, is renowned for its uniquely decorated stations and has been dubbed the world’s longest art gallery. The Friends Arena is located in the northern part of the city in Solna, while the national sports arena, the Erion Globe, sits to the south. The city also hosted the Summer Olympics in 1912 and staged the equestrian events for the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China, and one of two such regions alongside Macau. It is the only autonomous region within China. Situated at the mouth of the Pearl River, Hong Kong lies to the east of the Lingdingyang Strait, bordered by the Shenzhen River to the north, and the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province in southern China.

With a population exceeding 7.5 million (estimated in 2019) from diverse nationalities living in a relatively small area, Hong Kong is one of the world’s most densely populated urban areas. It became a British colony after the First Opium War, following the Treaty of Nanking in 1842. The Kowloon Peninsula was added to the territory in 1860 after the Second Opium War, and further expanded in 1898 when Britain leased the New Territories for 99 years.

Hong Kong was occupied by Japan from December 25, 1941, during World War II, after the Japanese forces defeated the British military. The occupation ended on August 30, 1945, when Japan surrendered to the Allies. After the war, Hong Kong returned to British control, and in 1997, sovereignty was handed back to China.

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city, with a population of 366,145 (as of 2004), and the capital of the Zurich canton. The city's metropolitan area has around 1.3 million residents. Zurich is a major financial and cultural hub, though the political capital of Switzerland is Bern. As of a 2006 survey, it was ranked the city with the highest quality of life in the world.

The name Zurich likely comes from the Celtic word 'Turus,' evidenced by an inscription on a tombstone dating back to the Roman Empire in the 2nd century. In Roman times, the city was known as 'Turicum.' Zurich sits at the point where the Limmat River flows out of Lake Zurich, surrounded by tree-covered hills, including Zurichberg and Uetliberg. The Sihl River meets the Limmat at Platzspitz, near the Swiss National Museum.

The city's green and white coat of arms was first adopted in 1389, derived from the green and white striped flags used since 1315. The first confirmed use of the coat of arms dates back to 1434, and it is flanked by two lions. The red 'Schwenkel' on the flag has various interpretations: for Zurich residents, it symbolizes honor, granted by Rudolph I. However, neighboring towns humorously refer to it as a mark of shame, commemorating Zurich's defeat at Winterthur in 1292. Today, Zurich canton uses the same emblem as the city.

Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with a population exceeding 1.38 million people. Its iconic skyline offers breathtaking views from landmarks like the Sky Tree Tower and the Tokyo Tower, which stand as symbols of the city. From here, visitors can marvel at attractions such as the historic Senso-ji Temple, experience the bustling Shibuya Crossing, or enjoy the scenic vista of Tokyo Bay from Odaiba — sights that will captivate you again and again.

Not only is Tokyo the administrative heart of Japan, but it also serves as one of the world's top economic powerhouses. Along with New York and London, Tokyo is one of the three global economic hubs. According to a 2012 PricewaterhouseCoopers report, the Greater Tokyo Area, including Yokohama, with its 38 million residents, had a purchasing power parity GDP of 2 trillion USD, making it the largest urban economy in the world. As of 2008, Tokyo was home to 47 companies listed in the Global 500 — more than double the number found in Paris.

As an international financial center, Tokyo houses the headquarters of several of the world's largest investment banks and insurance companies. It is also the transportation, publishing, and broadcasting nerve center of Japan. Following World War II, many major corporations relocated their headquarters from cities like Osaka to Tokyo, seeking better access to government resources. This trend has slowed due to Tokyo's population boom and high living costs.

Singapore is a sovereign city-state and island nation located in Southeast Asia. Situated just off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore lies 137 kilometers north of the equator. The nation consists of one main island shaped like a diamond and around 60 smaller islands.

It is separated from peninsular Malaysia to the north by the Johor Strait and from the Riau Archipelago of Indonesia to the south by the Singapore Strait. Singapore is one of the most urbanized countries in the world, with little remaining primary vegetation, and its territory has continually expanded through land reclamation projects.

Settlement on the islands dates back to the 2nd century AD, with various local kingdoms establishing control over the region. In 1819, British statesman Stamford Raffles established modern Singapore as a trading post for the British East India Company, with permission from the Kingdom of Johor.

The British formally gained sovereignty over the island in 1824, and Singapore became part of the British Straits Settlements in 1826. With the growth of trade and maritime activity, Singapore rapidly developed, becoming by 1900 one of the most prosperous and modern cities in Southeast Asia, on par with other major global port cities such as Rotterdam, Kobe, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

Osaka is a popular tourist destination, rivaling Tokyo. This article offers useful information for travelers heading to Osaka, covering transportation, areas to explore, attractions, local foods, and events. Situated about 400 km from Tokyo, Osaka can be reached in roughly 1.5 hours by Shinkansen, making it a representative city of the Kansai region.

Osaka began to evolve into one of Japan's major cities around 500 years ago when the samurai leader Toyotomi Hideyoshi built a castle in the area, establishing the city as a cultural and commercial hub. Today, it is Japan’s second-largest urban center after Tokyo. Known as the 'Nation's Kitchen,' Osaka boasts a rich food culture and is home to a wide variety of dishes from all over the country.

Present-day Osaka attracts visitors with its distinctive local foods such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and teppanyaki, as well as iconic attractions like Osaka Castle and the bustling Dotonbori district.