Determining the center of the world is not as straightforward as it may seem. There are many different ways to define the “center” – geographically, culturally, economically, etc. So there is no definitive answer, but there are several cities that can make a claim based on different criteria.
Geographic Center
Geographically speaking, the center of the world is often considered to be the Midway Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This is based on calculating the geometric center of all landmasses on Earth. Specifically, it is the point farthest from any coastline. The Midway Islands are located at 28°12′N 177°22′W.
However, this geographic definition has limitations. First, it only considers landmasses and excludes oceans. Also, plate tectonics cause the position of landmasses to slowly shift over time. Overall, the geographic center is an interesting mathematical calculation but does not necessarily reflect the cultural or economic significance of different world cities.
Cultural Significance
Throughout history, certain cities have attained worldwide cultural influence and attraction. Based on their prominence in arts, entertainment, fashion, cuisine, finance, tourism, and other cultural metrics, the following cities can make a claim as cultural centers of the world:
Paris
Known as the “City of Light,” Paris has been a hub of European culture for centuries. As the capital of France, it set trends in fashion, art, food, and philosophy, especially during the Age of Enlightenment. Home to the Louvre and other iconic museums, Paris attracts over 30 million visitors annually. The city’s strong café culture also fuels lively intellectual debate.
London
As the capital of the former British Empire, London became a cosmopolitan melting pot of cultures from around the world. The city invented many modern cultural institutions like museums, newspapers, and professional orchestras. English literature and theater also emerged in London, led by influential figures like Shakespeare and Dickens. The city remains a major global capital of finance, fashion, and entertainment.
New York City
The rise of New York City in the 20th century transformed it into a culture-shaping metropolis. It became the undisputed capital of American media, publishing, advertising, music, and art. New York sets pop culture trends, from abstract expressionism to hip hop, punk rock to the Great American novel. The city’s vibrant immigrant communities also blend world cultures in a unique way.
Los Angeles
As the epicenter of America’s film, television, and music industries, Los Angeles exports entertainment culture around the world. It popularized movements like surf rock, psychedelia, and gangsta rap. LA remains on the cutting edge, pioneering innovations in media from Hollywood CGI to YouTube celebrities. The city’s car culture also fuelled a laidback, beach-going lifestyle that inspired the 1960s counterculture.
| City | Cultural Influence |
|---|---|
| Paris | Art, fashion, cuisine |
| London | Literature, theater, finance |
| New York City | Media, music, publishing |
| Los Angeles | Film, television, music |
Global Cities
Rather than cultural legacy, some define a central world city based on globalized economic power and infrastructure. According to rankings by groups like the Globalization and World Cities Research Network, the following modern metropolises can claim “global city” status:
New York City
With its sheer economic and political might, New York remains the world’s foremost financial hub. It hosts the headquarters of Wall Street banks, the United Nations, and global media conglomerates. New York’s diversified economy also leads in sectors like professional services, biotech, and higher education.
London
Despite Brexit, London still ranks as the world’s largest international financial center. As a leading global city, it remains a pivotal nexus point for finance, technology, education, healthcare, entertainment, and culture. London contains headquarters for over half of the UK’s largest listed companies.
Tokyo
Boasting the world’s largest metropolitan economy, Tokyo is a major hub for technology, transportation, education, media, and finance. Over 30 of the Fortune Global 500 companies are headquartered there. Tokyo is renowned for setting avant-garde trends in pop culture, fashion, and cuisine that influence Asia and beyond.
Shanghai
China’s largest city, Shanghai exerts growing world influence as a leading financial and technology center. It hosts the world’s busiest container port. Shanghai plays a crucial role in the globe-spanning Belt and Road infrastructure initiative pioneered by China. The city organized the 2010 World Expo, attracting over 73 million visitors.
| City | Global Significance |
|---|---|
| New York City | Finance, media, UN headquarters |
| London | International finance, multinational companies |
| Tokyo | Technology, economy, pop culture trends |
| Shanghai | Finance, transportation hub, technology |
Accessibility Center
Rather than prestige or power, the geographic “center of the world” can be considered in terms of accessibility. This calculates which city is easiest to reach from anywhere in the world. Based on flight connectivity and average travel times, Istanbul emerges as the most accessible metropolis overall.
Dubai and Frankfurt are also contenders based on their aviation hubs. Dubai International Airport connects Europe, Africa, and Asia with just one stopover for many routes. Frankfurt Airport has short flights available to nearly every destination in Europe and beyond.
Accessibility considers ease of travel for the average global citizen, not just business elites. In that democratic spirit, it provides an alternative to definitions of global centrality based on money and influence. However, travel hubs are limited by flight routes, which change over time as airlines adjust schedules.
| City | Accessibility |
|---|---|
| Istanbul | Flight connectivity across Europe/Asia/Africa |
| Dubai | Airport hub linking Europe, Africa, Asia |
| Frankfurt | Short flights to most European destinations |
Geographic Balance Point
By calculating the balancing point of the world’s landmasses, the English village of Center in Lancashire emerges as the geographic center. Located in northwest England, Center is equidistant from antipodal points in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Mathematically speaking, this gives Center a credible claim as the geographical middle point of Earth’s landmasses. However, its tiny size and remote location in Britain’s rural countryside obviously preclude it from any serious consideration as a cultural, economic, or transportation center of the world. The calculation is novel, but largely abstract and irrelevant.
Subjective Perceptions
Ultimately, the “center of the world” is a subjective concept depending on one’s perspectives and definitions. Different cities around the globe can make reasonable claims based on history, culture, economics, infrastructure, geography, or other factors. Proclamations of centrality reveal more about the proclaimers than any objective truths.
For isolated rural villagers, their small community is the center of their world. For nationalists, the capital of their country holds excessive importance. First World elites often assume their cities are the pinnacles of civilization. Reality is far more complex. The world has many centers, depending on one’s viewpoint.
Conclusion
No definitive city can be crowned as the undisputed center of the world. From a geographic perspective, the Midway Islands constitute the center point of Earth’s landmasses. However, this disregards cultural, economic, infrastructure, and other key factors. Based on different criteria, Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, Istanbul, and other metropolises can claim central roles. There are many different ways to define “world city” status. In truth, the question has no definitive answer. Like beauty, centrality lies in the eye of the beholder. But examining different definitions provides insight into what people value as global priorities.