Moscow set to become the world's seventh largest city after land deal

Moscow set to become the world's seventh largest city after land deal

2011-07-12 17:20:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- The Russian capital is set to become one of the world's largest cities after a land deal which will see Moscow's territory more than double, the Itar-Tass news agency reported on Monday.

Russian authorities agreed last week to soon broaden Moscow's city limits and swap land. As a result, Moscow will grow from 1,070 square kilometers (413 square miles) to 2,510 square kilometers (969 square kilometers), giving more opportunity for economic development.

Currently, Moscow ranks as the 31st largest city in the world by size. The agreement to double the city's territory will make Moscow the seventh largest city by size, putting it just behind the Turkish capital of Ankara which has a size of 2,516 square kilometers (971 square miles).

And although Moscow will more than double by size, the change will add only 250,000 new residents. Moscow has currently 11.5 million inhabitants, making it the seventh most populated city. Adding 250,000 residents would not change this position, but an expansion might mean the new areas of Moscow will see a rapid increase in residents.

According to a recent poll by the Russian Public Opinion Study Center (VTsIOM), a majority of Muscovites like the idea of expanding the capital. The poll showed Muscovites would like to move governmental and financial institutions to a new capital federal district outside Moscow Circular Road.

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