These are the world's most populous cities

Cities like New York, Beijing, and Tokyo are known for being exceptionally crowded. Photos of massive crowds of people depict these cities' residents doing everything from walking down the street to marching in parades and even sitting in traffic.

We all know these cities have giant populations, but do you know just how crowded they are? The United Nations data booklet, "The World's Cities in 2016," details the world's most populated cities as well as population growth projections for 2030.

Tokyo, Japan, for example, is the most populated city in the world as of 2016 with nearly 39 million residents. Keep reading for the rest of the top 20 most populated cities all over the globe.

20. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Population in 2016: 12,981,000

Rio de Janeiro's climate remains pleasant year-round, although the city is particularly crowded in the warmer months, and during the holiday season through Carnival in February.

Copacabana beach is one of the city's most crowded locations, filled with locals and tourists alike.

19. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Population in 2016: 13,070,000

Located on the Pearl River just northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is the third-largest city in China.

The bustling port city is one of China's biggest commercial and manufacturing hubs, bringing in millions of workers from around the country.

18. Manila, Philippines

Population in 2016: 13,131,000

The capital city of the Philippines is known for its booming banking and commerce industries. The Port of Manila is the largest seaport in the country, serving the Philippines' shipping industry.

17. Lagos, Nigeria

Population in 2016: 13,661,000

Lagos is Nigeria's commercial capital, and it's also one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. The UN projects that Lagos' population will rise to 24,239,000 by 2030.

16. Chongqing, China

Population in 2016: 13,744,000

Given its close proximity to the Yangtze River, Chongqing is a prominent port city and industrial hub in southwest-central China.

The city is home to iron, steel, and other manufacturing plants, in addition to natural resources like coal, natural gas, and a variety of minerals. These resources and industries draw workers from all over the country.

15. Istanbul, Turkey

Population in 2016: 14,365,000

Aside from being a tourist hub that draws in visitors from all over the world, Istanbul is the center of Turkey's economy.

Plus, The Istanbul New Airport is currently under construction, and expects to be able to handle 150 million passengers a year when it opens in 2018.

14. Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Population in 2016: 14,980,000

Kolkata is located in eastern India, near the border of Bangladesh. It's also the capital of the West Bengal state.

There are a total of 14 universities in the city that are operated by the state government and serve the local population.

13. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Population in 2016: 15,334,000

As the capital of Argentina, Buenos Aires is an important city for many of the country's main industries, including tourism, finance, and manufacturing.

Due to an aging population and low birth rates, however, the city's population is only expected to rise to 16,956,000 by 2030.

12. Karachi, Pakistan

Population in 2016: 17,121,000

As the economic and industrial capital of Pakistan, Karachi is a city on the rise. Both the Port of Karachi and Port Bin Qasim are located in the city, serving Karachi's transportation and trade industries.

Karachi is expecting a steady population rise by 2030 with an estimated 24,838,000 residents.

11. Dhaka, Bangladesh

Population in 2016: 18,237,000

Dhaka is a growing metropolis in Bangladesh with an incredibly dense population. With 44,500 people per square kilometer, the city was the most densely populated city in the world as of 2015.

10. New York-Newark, USA

Population in 2016: 18,604,000

Between New York City, New York, and nearby Newark, New Jersey, this metropolitan area is the most crowded of its kind in the US.

Over two-fifths of the entire population of New York State, for example, lives in New York City alone.

9. Al-Qahirah (Cairo), Egypt

Population in 2016: 19,128,000

Cairo is often thought of as a city closely related to ancient Egyptian history, especially due to the location of the Giza pyramids, but it is also a highly populated cosmopolitan city.

In addition to its tourism industry, Cairo is also home to many modern hospitals and universities.

8. Kinki M.M.A. (Osaka), Japan

Population in 2016: 20,337,000

Osaka, Japan, has a massive population today, although it is expected to decrease slightly to 19,976,000 by 2030. The city's population has been declining for the last several years, in part due to low birth rates. However, Osaka's population of foreign residents is on the rise.

7. Ciudad de México (Mexico City), Mexico

Population in 2016: 21,157,000

Mexico City and its surrounding metropolitan area offer a unique mix of ancient culture and modern industry. The city is not only home to Tenochtitlan, the ancient Aztec capital, but it is also a Latin American financial hub.

6. Beijing, China

Population in 2016: 21,240,000

China is home to four of the most populated cities in the world, and Beijing comes in at number two. Plus, the giant city is only expected to rise with a projected population of 27,706,000 by 2030.

5. São Paulo, Brazil

Population in 2016: 21,297,000

With a population nearing 22 million, São Paulo, Brazil, is the most populous city in the Southern Hemisphere.

From finance to tourism, São Paulo is a multi-cultural city with diverse industries.

4. Mumbai (Bombay), India

Population in 2016: 21,357,000

It's easy to see just how crowded Mumbai is by looking at photos of they city's mass transportation. In addition to being one of the most populated cities in India — and the world — Mumbai is also the richest city in India, with its total wealth coming out to $280 billion USD.

3. Shanghai, China

Population in 2016: 24,484,000

As China's most populated city, Shanghai has a reputation for being crowded. In addition to being a popular tourist destination, Shanghai is also a financial center and is home to the busiest container port in the world.

2. Delhi, India

Population in 2016: 26,454,000

Dehli is a city and territory in northern India. The urban area is the second most populated city in the world, and it is only expected to grow in the coming years.

In fact, by 2030, the UN projects that Dehli's population will grow by nearly 10 million people.

1. Tokyo, Japan

Population in 2016: 38,140,000

As of 2016, Tokyo is the most populated city on Earth. Known for its modern design, dedication to cutting-edge technology, and crowded streets, Tokyo has long had a reputation of being densely populated.

While the UN still expects Tokyo to hold the number one spot in terms of population in 2030, the city's population is expected to decline to 37,190,000 over the next 13 years.