The Volga (Russian: Волга, pronounced [ˈvoɫɡə] ⓘ) is the longest river in Europe. Situated in Russia, it flows through Central Russia to Southern Russia and into the Caspian Sea. The Volga has a length of 3,531 km (2,194 mi), and a catchment area of 1,360,000 km2 (530,000 sq mi).[3] It is also Europe's largest river in terms of average discharge at delta – between 8,000 m3/s (280,000 cu ft/s) and 8,500 m3/s (300,000 cu ft/s) – and of drainage basin. It is widely regarded as the national river of Russia. The hypothetical old Russian state, the Rus' Khaganate, arose along the Volga c. 830 AD.[8] Historically, the river served as an important meeting place of various Eurasian civilizations.[9][10][11]

The river flows in Russia through forests,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest),) forest steppes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_steppe)) and steppes.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steppe).) Five of the ten largest cities of Russia,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_and_towns_in_Russia_by_population),) including the nation's capital, Moscow,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moscow),) are located in the Volga's drainage basin. Because the Volga drains into the Caspian Sea,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caspian_Sea),) which is an endorheic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endorheic_basin)) body of water, the Volga does not naturally connect to any of the world's oceans.

Some of the largest reservoirs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservoir)) in the world are located along the Volga River. The river has a symbolic meaning in Russian culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_culture)) – Russian literature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_literature)) and folklore](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_folklore)) often refer to it as Волга-матушка Volga-Matushka (Mother Volga).

New Jersey is a state in both the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is the most densely populated state and at the center of the Northeast megalopolis. New Jersey is bordered on its north and east by New York state; on its east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on its west by the Delaware River and Pennsylvania; and on its southwest by Delaware Bay and Delaware. At 7,354 square miles (19,050 km2), New Jersey is the fifth-smallest state in land area, but with close to 9.3 million residents as of the 2020 United States census, it ranks 11th in population. The state capital is Trenton, and the state's most populous city is Newark. New Jersey is the only U.S. state in which every county is deemed urban by the U.S. Census Bureau.

New Jersey was first inhabited by Paleo-Indians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paleo-Indians)) as early as 13,000 B.C.E. The Lenape](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenape)) were the dominant Indigenous group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States)) when Europeans arrived in the early 17th century. Dutch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Republic)) and Swedish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_Empire)) colonists founded the first European settlements in the state,[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-11)) with the British](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_England)) later seizing control of the region and establishing the Province of New Jersey,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_New_Jersey),) named after Jersey.[11][12]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey).[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-12)[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-13)) The colony's fertile lands and relative religious tolerance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toleration)) drew a large and diverse population. New Jersey was among the Thirteen Colonies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_Colonies)) that supported the American Revolution,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution),) hosting several pivotal battles and military commands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_in_the_American_Revolution)) in the American Revolutionary War.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War).) New Jersey remained in the Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_\(American_Civil_War\))) during the American Civil War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War)) and provided](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey_in_the_American_Civil_War)) troops, resources, and military leaders in support of the Union Army.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Army).) After the war, the state emerged as a major manufacturing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manufacturing)) center and a leading destination for immigrants, helping drive the Industrial Revolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution)) in the U.S. New Jersey was the site of many industrial, technological, and commercial innovations.[13]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation).[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-14)) Many prominent Americans associated with New Jersey](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_New_Jersey)) have proven influential nationally and globally, including in academia, advocacy, business, entertainment, government, military, non-profit leadership, and other fields.

New Jersey's central location in the Northeast megalopolis helped fuel its rapid growth and suburbanization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suburbanization)) in the second half of the 20th century. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the state's economy has become highly diversified, with major sectors including biotechnology,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotechnology),) pharmaceuticals,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceuticals),) information technology,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology),) finance,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street_West),) and tourism,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism),) and it has become an Atlantic seaboard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_of_the_United_States)) epicenter for logistics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logistics)) and distribution.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distribution_\(marketing\)).) New Jersey remains a major destination for immigrants and is home to one of the world's most multicultural populations.[14][15]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_enclave).[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-ReUrbanizationNJ22-15)[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-ReUrbanizationNJ3-16)) Echoing historical trends, the state has increasingly re-urbanized, with growth in cities outpacing suburbs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suburb)) since 2008.[16]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-17))

New Jersey is one of the most educated, wealthiest and highly developed states in the U.S. ranking it high in several quality of life metrics.[17]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-18)) As of 2022, New Jersey had the highest annual median household income,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Median_household_income),) at $96,346, of all 50 states.[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-NJWealth-19)) Almost one-tenth of all households in the state, or over 323,000, are millionaires,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millionaire),) the highest representation of millionaires among all states.[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-Millionaires2-20)) New Jersey's public school](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_school)) system consistently ranks at or among the top of all U.S. states.[20][21][22][23]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-KellyHeyboer20202-21)[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-Kelly_Heyboer2-22)[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-23)[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Jersey#cite_note-U.S._News_&_World_Report2-24)) New Jersey ranks near the top on both the American Human Development Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_American_Human_Development_Index)) and the standard Human Development Index.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_Human_Development_Index).) According to climatology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climatology)) research by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Oceanic_and_Atmospheric_Administration),) New Jersey has been the fastest-warming state by average air temperature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_temperature)) over a 100-year period beginning in the early 20th century, which has been attributed to warming of the North Atlantic Ocean.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Atlantic_Ocean).)

Boston (US: /ˈbɔːstən/ ⓘ[9]) is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It has an area of 48.4 sq mi (125 km2)[10] and a population of 675,647 as of the 2020 census, making it the third-largest city in the Northeast after New York City and Philadelphia.[4] The larger Greater Boston metropolitan statistical area, which includes and surrounds the city, has a population of 4,919,179 as of 2023, making it the largest in New England and eleventh-largest in the country.[11][12][13]

Boston was founded on the Shawmut Peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawmut_Peninsula)) in 1630 by Puritan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritans)) settlers. The city was named after Boston, Lincolnshire,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston,_Lincolnshire),) England.[14][15]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-history-14)[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKennedy199411%E2%80%9312-15)) During the American Revolution,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolution),) Boston was home to several events that proved central to the revolution and subsequent Revolutionary War,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Revolutionary_War),) including the Boston Massacre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre)) (1770), the Boston Tea Party](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party)) (1773), Paul Revere's Midnight Ride](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Revere%27s_Midnight_Ride)) (1775), the Battle of Bunker Hill](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bunker_Hill)) (1775), and the Siege of Boston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Boston)) (1775–1776). Following American independence from Great Britain,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Great_Britain),) the city continued to play an important role as a port, manufacturing hub, and center for education and culture.[16][17]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-AboutBoston-16)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMorris20058-17)) The city also expanded significantly beyond the original peninsula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Neck)) by filling in land and annexing neighboring towns. Boston's many firsts include the United States' first public park (Boston Common,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Common),) 1634),[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-18)) the first public school](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_school)) (Boston Latin School,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Latin_School),) 1635),[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-BPS-19)) and the first subway system (Tremont Street subway,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tremont_Street_subway),) 1897).[20]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHull201142-20))

Boston has emerged as a global leader in higher education and research[21]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-AcademicRanking2-21)) and the largest biotechnology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biotechnology)) hub in the world.[22]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-BostonLargestBiotechHubWorld-22)) The city is also a national leader in scientific research, law, medicine, engineering, and business. With nearly 5,000 startup companies, the city is considered a global pioneer in innovation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation)) and entrepreneurship,[23][24][25]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entrepreneurship),[\[23\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-VentureCapitalBoston1-23)[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-Kirsner-24)[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-25)) and more recently in artificial intelligence.[26]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence).[\[26\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-BostonAIHub-26)) Boston's economy also includes finance,[27]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_center),[\[27\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-BostonFinance-27)) professional and business services, information technology,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology),) and government activities.[28]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-28)) Boston households provide the highest average rate of philanthropy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropy)) in the nation,[29]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston#cite_note-transfer_of_wealth-29)) and the city's businesses and institutions rank among the top in the nation for environmental sustainability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability)) and new investment.

Kingston upon Thames, colloquially known as Kingston, is a town in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, England. It is situated on the River Thames, 10 miles (16 km) south-west of Charing Cross. It is an ancient market town, notable as the place where some Saxon kings were crowned.

Historically in the county](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historic_Counties_of_England)) of Surrey,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrey),) the ancient parish of Kingston](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Thames_\(parish\))) covered both the town itself and a large surrounding area. The town was an ancient borough,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_borough),) having been formally incorporated in 1441, with a long history prior to that as a royal manor.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_manor).) From 1836 until 1965 the town formed the Municipal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_Borough_of_Kingston-upon-Thames).) From 1893 to 2020 Kingston was the seat of Surrey County Council.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surrey_County_Council).) The town became part of Greater London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_London)) in 1965, when the modern borough was also created as one of the 32 London boroughs.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_borough).)

Kingston is identified as a metropolitan centre in the London Plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Plan)) and is one of the biggest retail centres in the UK,[2]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Thames#cite_note-2)) receiving 18 million visitors a year.[3]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Thames#cite_note-3)) It is also home to Kingston University.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_University).)

The Kingston upon Thames post town](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_town)) corresponds to the KT1 and KT2 postcodes.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KT_postcode_area).) The wider borough also includes the post towns of New Malden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Malden)) and Surbiton,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surbiton),) parts of Worcester Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worcester_Park)) and peripheral parts of several other post towns based outside the borough. The Kingston upon Thames post town roughly corresponds to the six wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wards_and_electoral_divisions_of_the_United_Kingdom)) of Canbury Gardens, Coombe Hill, Kingston Gate, Kingston Town, Norbiton and Tudor, which had a combined population of 54,925 at the 2021 census,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_United_Kingdom_census),) while the borough overall counted 168,063.

Tokyo (/ˈtoʊkioʊ/;[8] Japanese: 東京, Tōkyō, [toːkʲoː] ⓘ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis (東京都, Tōkyō-to), is the capital of Japan and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of over 14 million residents as of 2023 and the second-most-populated capital in the world.[9] The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo and parts of six neighboring prefectures, is the most-populous metropolitan area in the world, with 41 million residents as of 2024.

Located at the head of Tokyo Bay,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Bay),) Tokyo is part of the Kantō region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kant%C5%8D_region)) on the central coast of Honshu,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honshu),) Japan's largest island. Tokyo serves as Japan's economic center and the seat of both the Japanese government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Japan)) and the Emperor of Japan.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_of_Japan).) The Tokyo Metropolitan Government](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Metropolitan_Government)) administers Tokyo's central 23 special wards](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_wards_of_Tokyo)) (which formerly made up Tokyo City),](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_City)),) various commuter towns and suburbs in its western area,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Tokyo),) and two outlying island chains known as the Tokyo Islands.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Islands).) Despite most of the world recognizing Tokyo as a city, since 1943 its governing structure has been more akin to a prefecture, with an accompanying Governor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Tokyo)) and Assembly](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Metropolitan_Assembly)) taking precedence over the smaller municipal governments which make up the metropolis. Notable special wards in Tokyo include Chiyoda,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiyoda,_Tokyo),) the site of the National Diet Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Diet_Building)) and the Tokyo Imperial Palace;](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Imperial_Palace);) Shinjuku,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku),) the city's administrative center; and Shibuya,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shibuya),) a commercial, cultural, and business hub in the city.

Before the 17th century, Tokyo, then known as Edo,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edo),) was mainly a fishing village. It gained political prominence in 1603 when it became the seat of the Tokugawa shogunate.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokugawa_shogunate).) By the mid-18th century, Edo was among the world's largest cities, with over a million residents. Following the Meiji Restoration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Restoration)) in 1868, the imperial capital in Kyoto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto)) was moved to Edo, and the city was renamed Tokyo (lit. 'Eastern Capital').](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_of_Japan)').) In 1923, Tokyo was damaged substantially by the Great Kantō earthquake,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1923_Great_Kant%C5%8D_earthquake),) and the city was later badly damaged by allied bombing raids](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Tokyo)) during World War II.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II).) Beginning in the late 1940s, Tokyo underwent rapid reconstruction and expansion that contributed to the era's so-called Japanese economic miracle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_economic_miracle)) in which Japan's economy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Japan)) propelled to the second-largest in the world at the time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_past_and_projected_GDP_\(nominal\))) behind that of the United States.[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_United_States).[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#cite_note-10)) As of 2023, the city is home to 29 of the world's 500 largest companies, as listed in the annual Fortune Global 500;](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_Global_500);) the second-highest number of any city behind only Beijing.[11]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing).[\[11\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#cite_note-11))

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Tokyo became the first city in Asia to host the Summer Olympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Olympics)) and Paralympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Paralympics)) in 1964, and again in 2021, and it also hosted three G7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G7)) summits in 1979, 1986, and 1993. Tokyo is an international research and development hub](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_and_development_in_Japan)) and an academic center with several major universities,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Tokyo),) including the University of Tokyo,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Tokyo),) the top-ranking university in the country.[12][13]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#cite_note-12)[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#cite_note-13)) Tokyo Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Station)) is the central hub for the Shinkansen,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinkansen),) Japan's high-speed railway network, and Shinjuku Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinjuku_Station)) in Tokyo is the world's busiest train station. The city is home to the world's tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree.[14]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Skytree).[\[14\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#cite_note-skytree-14)) The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Metro_Ginza_Line),) which opened in 1927, is the oldest underground metro line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_metro_systems)) in Asia–Pacific.[15]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia%E2%80%93Pacific).[\[15\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo#cite_note-90th-2017-15))

Tokyo's nominal gross domestic output was 113.7 trillion yen or US$1.04 trillion in FY2021 and accounted for 20.7% of the country's total economic output, which converts to 8.07 million yen or US$73,820 per capita.[16] Including the Greater Tokyo Area, Tokyo is the second-largest metropolitan economy in the world after New York, with a 2022 gross metropolitan product estimated at US$2.08 trillion.[17] Although Tokyo's status as a leading global financial hub has diminished with the Lost Decades since the 1990s, when the Tokyo Stock Exchange was the world's largest, with a market capitalization about 1.5 times that of the NYSE,[18] the city is still a large financial hub, and the TSE remains among the world's top five major stock exchanges.[19] Tokyo is categorized as an Alpha+ city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. The city is also recognized as one of the world's most livable ones; it was ranked fourth in the world in the 2021 edition of the Global Livability Ranking.[20] Tokyo has also been ranked as the safest city in the world in multiple international surveys.

The Hague[b] is the capital city of the South Holland province of the Netherlands. With a population of over half a million, it is the third-largest city in the Netherlands. Situated on the west coast facing the North Sea, The Hague is the country's administrative centre and its seat of government, and while the official capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, The Hague has been described as the country's de facto capital since the time of the Dutch Republic.[7]

The Hague is the core municipality of the Greater The Hague urban area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COROP)) containing over 800,000 residents, and is also part of the Rotterdam–The Hague metropolitan area,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotterdam%E2%80%93The_Hague_metropolitan_area),) which, with a population of approximately 2.6 million, is the largest metropolitan area of the Netherlands. The city is also part of the Randstad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randstad)) region, one of the largest conurbations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conurbation)) in Europe.

The Hague is the seat of the Cabinet,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_of_the_Netherlands),) the States General,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/States_General_of_the_Netherlands),) the Supreme Court,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_the_Netherlands),) and the Council of State](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_State_\(Netherlands\))) of the Netherlands.[8]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hague#cite_note-10)) King Willem-Alexander](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem-Alexander_of_the_Netherlands)) officially lives in the Huis ten Bosch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huis_ten_Bosch)) and works at the Noordeinde Palace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noordeinde_Palace)) together with Queen Máxima.[9]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_M%C3%A1xima_of_the_Netherlands).[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hague#cite_note-11)) Most foreign embassies in the Netherlands are in the city. The Hague is also home to the headquarters of many Dutch companies,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companies_of_the_Netherlands),) with Shell plc](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_plc)) having major offices in the city as well. The Royal Library of the Netherlands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Library_of_the_Netherlands)) is also located there. The Hague's coastal area includes the popular seaside resort Scheveningen.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scheveningen).)

The Hague is known as the global hub of international law and arbitration. The International Court of Justice,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Court_of_Justice),) the main judicial arm of the United Nations,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations),) is based in the city, as are the International Criminal Court,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Criminal_Court),) the Permanent Court of Arbitration,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permanent_Court_of_Arbitration),) the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organisation_for_the_Prohibition_of_Chemical_Weapons),) Europol,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europol),) and approximately 200 other international governmental organizations.[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_governmental_organization).[\[10\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hague#cite_note-12)) The name "The Hague" is commonly used as a totum pro parte](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totum_pro_parte)) to refer to either of the international courts that reside in the city.

Etymology

Copenhagen[8] (Danish: København [kʰøpm̩ˈhɑwˀn] ⓘ) is the capital and most populous city of Denmark, with a population of 1.4 million in the urban area.[9][10] The city is situated on the islands of Zealand and Amager, separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the Øresund strait. The Øresund Bridge connects the two cities by rail and road.

Originally a Viking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikings)) fishing village established in the 10th century in the vicinity of what is now Gammel Strand,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gammel_Strand),) Copenhagen became the capital of Denmark in the early 15th century. During the 16th century, the city served as the de facto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_facto)) capital of the Kalmar Union](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalmar_Union)) and the seat of the Union's monarchy, which governed most of the modern-day Nordic region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_countries)) as part of a Danish confederation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation)) with Sweden and Norway.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norway).) The city flourished as the cultural and economic centre of Scandinavia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandinavia)) during the Renaissance,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance),) and by the 17th century, it had become a regional centre of power, serving as the heart of the Danish government and military.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Denmark).) During the 18th century, Copenhagen suffered from a devastating plague outbreak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Northern_War_plague_outbreak)) and urban conflagrations,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflagration),) and proceeded to undergo several major redevelopment efforts, which included the construction of the prestigious district of Frederiksstaden](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederiksstaden)) and the establishment of cultural institutions such as the Royal Theatre](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Danish_Theatre)) and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Danish_Academy_of_Fine_Arts).) The city also became the centre of the Danish slave trade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_slave_trade)) during this period. In 1807, the city was bombarded by a British fleet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Copenhagen_\(1807\))) during the Napoleonic Wars,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars),) before the Danish Golden Age](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_Golden_Age)) brought a Neoclassical look](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassical_architecture)) to Copenhagen's architecture. After World War II,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II),) the Finger Plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_Plan)) fostered the development of housing and businesses along the five urban railway routes emanating from the city centre.

Since the turn of the 21st century, Copenhagen has seen strong urban and cultural development, facilitated by investment in its institutions and infrastructure. The city is the cultural,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Denmark),) economic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Denmark)) and governmental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Denmark)) centre of Denmark; it is one of the major financial centres of Northern Europe with the Copenhagen Stock Exchange.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Stock_Exchange).) Copenhagen's economy has developed rapidly in the service sector,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_sector),) especially through initiatives in information technology,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology),) pharmaceuticals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceuticals)) and clean technology.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_technology).) Since the completion of the Øresund Bridge,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%98resund_Bridge),) Copenhagen has increasingly integrated with the Swedish province of Scania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scania)) and its largest city, Malmö, forming the Øresund Region.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%98resund_Region).) With several bridges connecting the various districts, the cityscape is characterised by parks, promenades, and waterfronts. Copenhagen's landmarks such as Tivoli Gardens,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tivoli_Gardens),) The Little Mermaid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Little_Mermaid_\(statue\))) statue, the Amalienborg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalienborg)) and Christiansborg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiansborg_Palace)) palaces, Rosenborg Castle,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosenborg_Castle),) Frederik's Church,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederik%27s_Church),) Børsen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%B8rsen)) and many museums, restaurants and nightclubs are significant tourist attractions.

Copenhagen is home to the University of Copenhagen,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Copenhagen),) the Technical University of Denmark,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_University_of_Denmark),) Copenhagen Business School,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Business_School),) and the IT University of Copenhagen.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IT_University_of_Copenhagen).) The University of Copenhagen, founded in 1479, is the oldest university in Denmark. Copenhagen is home to the football clubs F.C. Copenhagen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F.C._Copenhagen)) and Brøndby IF.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Br%C3%B8ndby_IF).) The annual Copenhagen Marathon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Marathon)) was established in 1980. Copenhagen is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Movia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Movia_\(transit_agency\))) is the public mass transit company serving all of eastern Denmark, except Bornholm.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bornholm).) The Copenhagen Metro,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Metro),) launched in 2002, serves central Copenhagen. Additionally, the Copenhagen S-train,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-train_\(Copenhagen\)),) the Lokaltog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lokaltog)) (private railway),](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privatbane)),) and the Coast Line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coast_Line_\(Denmark\))) network serve and connect central Copenhagen to outlying boroughs. Serving roughly 2.5 million passengers a month, Copenhagen Airport,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copenhagen_Airport),) Kastrup, is the busiest airport in the Nordic countries.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordic_countries).)

Helsinki[a][b] is the capital and most populous city in Finland. It is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is the seat of southern Finland's Uusimaa region. About 675,000 people live in the municipality, with 1.25 million in the capital region and 1.58 million in the metropolitan area. As the most populous urban area in Finland, it is the country's most significant centre for politics, education, finance, culture, and research. Helsinki is 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of Tallinn, Estonia, 360 kilometres (220 mi) north of Riga, Latvia, 400 kilometres (250 mi) east of Stockholm, Sweden, and 300 kilometres (190 mi) west of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Helsinki has significant historical connections with these four cities.

Together with the cities of Espoo,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espoo),) Vantaa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vantaa)) and Kauniainen—and](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kauniainen)—and) surrounding commuter towns,[10]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-12)) including the neighbouring municipality of Sipoo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipoo)) to the east[11]—Helsinki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-13)—Helsinki) forms a metropolitan area.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_metropolitan_area).) This area is often considered Finland's only metropolis and is the world's northernmost](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_northernmost_items#Cities_and_settlements)) metropolitan area with over one million inhabitants. Additionally, it is the northernmost capital of an EU member state.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_state_of_the_European_Union).) Helsinki is the third-largest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_most_populated_municipalities_in_the_Nordic_countries)) municipality in the Nordic countries, after Stockholm and Oslo.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oslo).) Its urban area is the second-largest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_urban_areas_in_the_Nordic_countries)) in the Nordic countries, after Stockholm. Helsinki Airport,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki_Airport),) in the neighbouring city of Vantaa, serves the city with frequent flights to numerous destinations in Europe, North America, and Asia.

Helsinki is a bilingual](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilingual)) municipality with Finnish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_language)) and Swedish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_language)) as its official languages. The population consists of 75% Finnish speakers, 5% Swedish speakers, and 20% speakers of other languages (which is well above the national average).

Helsinki hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1952_Summer_Olympics),) the first CSCE/OSCE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conference_on_Security_and_Co-operation_in_Europe)/[OSCE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organization_for_Security_and_Co-operation_in_Europe)) Summit in 1975, the first World Athletics Championships](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Athletics_Championships)) in 1983, the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_2007)) in 2007 and it was the 2012 World Design Capital.[12]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Design_Capital).[\[12\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-Worlddesigncapital.com-14))

Helsinki has one of the highest standards of urban living in the world. In 2011, the British magazine Monocle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monocle_\(UK_magazine\))) ranked Helsinki as the world's most liveable city in its livable cities index.[13]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_quality_of_life_indices).[\[13\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-15)) In the Economist Intelligence Unit's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economist_Intelligence_Unit)) 2016 livability survey, Helsinki ranked ninth out of 140 cities.[14]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-2016_detail-16)) In July 2021, the American magazine Time](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_\(magazine\))) named Helsinki one of the world's greatest places, a city that "can grow into a burgeoning cultural nest in the future" and is already known as an environmental](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_environment)) pioneer.[15]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-17)) In an international Cities of Choice survey conducted in 2021 by the Boston Consulting Group](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Consulting_Group)) and the BCG Henderson Institute, Helsinki was ranked the third-best city in the world to live in, with London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London)) and New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City)) coming in first and second.[16][17]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-18)[\[17\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-19)) In the Condé Nast Traveler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cond%C3%A9_Nast_Traveler)) magazine's 2023 Readers' Choice Awards, Helsinki was ranked the 4th-friendliest city in Europe.[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-20)) Helsinki, along with Rovaniemi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rovaniemi)) in Lapland,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapland_\(Finland\)),) is also one of Finland's most important tourist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism)) cities.[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-21)) Due to the large number of sea passengers, Helsinki is classified as a major port city,[20]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helsinki#cite_note-22)) and in 2017 it was rated the world's busiest passenger port.

Los Angeles,[a] often referred to by its initials L.A., is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California. With roughly 3.9 million residents within the city limits as of 2020,[7] It is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind only New York City; it is also the commercial, financial and cultural center of Southern California. Los Angeles has an ethnically and culturally diverse population, and is the principal city of a metropolitan area of 13.2 million people. Greater Los Angeles, which includes the Los Angeles and Riverside–San Bernardino metropolitan areas, is a sprawling metropolis of over 18 million residents.

The majority of the city proper lies in a basin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Basin)) in Southern California adjacent to the Pacific Ocean](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Ocean)) in the west and extending partly through the Santa Monica Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Monica_Mountains)) and north into the San Fernando Valley,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Fernando_Valley),) with the city bordering the San Gabriel Valley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Gabriel_Valley)) to its east. It covers about 469 square miles (1,210 km2),[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-CenPopGazetteer2021-6)) and is the county seat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_seat)) of Los Angeles County,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_County,_California),) which is the most populous county in the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_most_populous_counties_in_the_United_States)) with an estimated 9.86 million residents as of 2022.[16]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-LosAngelesCountyDecline2022-17)) It is the fourth-most visited city in the U.S.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_the_United_States)) with over 2.7 million visitors as of 2022.[17]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-18))

The area that became Los Angeles was originally inhabited by the indigenous](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigenous_people_of_California)) Tongva people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tongva)) and later claimed by Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Rodr%C3%ADguez_Cabrillo)) for Spain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Empire)) in 1542. The city was founded on September 4, 1781, under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felipe_de_Neve),) on the village of Yaanga.[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaanga).[\[18\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-:02-19)) It became a part of Mexico](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Mexican_Empire)) in 1821 following the Mexican War of Independence.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_War_of_Independence).) In 1848, at the end of the Mexican–American War,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War),) Los Angeles and the rest of California were purchased as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Guadalupe_Hidalgo)) and became part of the United States. Los Angeles was incorporated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_corporation)) as a municipality on April 4, 1850, five months before California achieved statehood.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._state).) The discovery of oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petroleum)) in the 1890s brought rapid growth to the city.[19]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-20)) The city was further expanded with the completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles_Aqueduct)) in 1913, which delivers water from Eastern California.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_California).)

Los Angeles has a diverse economy with a broad range of industries. Despite a steep exodus of film and television production since the COVID-19 pandemic,[20]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic),[\[20\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-HollywoodLosAngelesExodus1-21)) Los Angeles is still one of the largest hubs of American film production,[21][22]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinema_of_the_United_States),[\[21\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-NewYorkStudioBuildingBoomTakingHollywoodProduction-22)[\[22\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-HollywoodLosAngelesExodus2-23)) the world's largest by revenue; the city is an important site in the history of film.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_film).) It also has one of the busiest container ports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Los_Angeles)) in the Americas.[23][24][25]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-24)[\[24\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-25)[\[25\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-26)) In 2018, the Los Angeles metropolitan area had a gross metropolitan product](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_metropolitan_product)) of over $1.0 trillion,[26]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles#cite_note-bea-27)) making it the city with the third-largest GDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_GDP)) in the world, after New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_metropolitan_area)) and Tokyo.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_metropolitan_area).) Los Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Olympics)) in 1932](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1932_Summer_Olympics)) and 1984,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_Summer_Olympics),) and will also host in 2028.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2028_Summer_Olympics).) Despite a business exodus from Downtown Los Angeles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Los_Angeles)) since the COVID-19 pandemic,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic),) the city's urban core is evolving as a cultural center with the world's largest showcase of architecture designed by Frank Gehry.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Gehry).)