1. Paris
   New York City
2. London
   Denver

Located where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean, New York City is a world center for commerce, culture and financial services. Buildings like the Empire State Building, the World Trade Center, ​and the Flatiron Building sit alongside beloved sites like Time Square and Central Park, making the Big Apple easy to identify.

1. Paris
   Cairo
2. Osaka
   Los Angeles

Situated on the Pacific coast of the U.S., Los Angeles combines sun and surf with a skyscraper-packed financial and business district. It's also the center of the American TV and movie industries, and features sites like the Hollywood sign and the Walk of Fame.

1. Chicago
   Mumbai
2. Mexico City
   Seoul

Formerly known as the Sears Tower, the skyscraper now called the Willis Tower soars over the city of Chicago. Other memorable sites in this midwest city include the John Hancock Tower and a mirrored sculpture known as Cloud Gate, aka the Bean.

1. Manila
   Tokyo
2. San Francisco
   Sao Paulo

Tokyo has its share of skyscrapers, but even some of the world's tallest buildings are dwarfed by a pair of broadcasting and communication towers in Tokyo. The soaring Skytree and Tokyo Tower rise roughly 2,000 feet and 1,000 feet, respectively, into the sky. Closer to the ground, the city is also home to countless museums, parks and gardens.

1. Paris
   Shanghai
2. Baltimore
   Budapest

The capital of Hungary, Budapest sits on the River Danube in eastern Europe. While it lacks large numbers of the skyscrapers found in many other major cities, Budapest is easily recognizable thanks to sites like St. Stephen's Basilica, the Parliament Building, and the funicular that runs up Castle Hill.

1. San Diego
   Las Vegas
2. Rome
   Philadelphia

Philadelphia has played an important role in the history of America, and once even served as the nation's capital. Philadelphia's City Hall, topped with its statue of William Penn, was the tallest building in the world at the start of the 20th century. Today, skyscrapers like One Liberty Place and the Comcast Center soar high above the city.

1. San Francisco
   Paris
2. Sao Paulo
   Seattle

Sao Paulo is the most populous city in the Americas, and serves as the financial and business hub of Brazil. For such a densely populated city, Sao Paulo has a limit on the height of skyscrapers, so even the tallest buildings like Mirante do Vale, top out at around 50 stories.

1. Buenos Aires
   San Diego
2. Washington DC
   Dubai

The tallest building in San Diego is One America Plaza. This structure is easy to spot because it's shaped like an obelisk -- or like a Phillip's head screwdriver. The city's second tallest building, Symphony Towers, tops out at just under 500 feet.

1. Seattle
   Cairo
2. Sydney
   Seoul

The city of Seoul, South Korea, is home to traditional Buddhist structures sitting side-by-side with modern skyscrapers. Buildings like North Seoul Tower and 63 Square soar over the Han River. Just outside the city, visitors flock to the national park atop Mt. Bukhan.

1. Paris
   Venice
2. New York City
   Mexico City

Mexico City combines old world sites like the Angel of Independence, Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the Metropolitan Cathedral with modern skyscrapers along the Paseo de la Reforma. The city is the capital of Mexico and one of the most populous in North America.

1. Osaka
   Minnesota
2. Manila
   Paris

Located on the Japanese island of Honshu, Osaka is tightly-packed with buildings large and small. The 16th century Osaka Castle offers old world charm, while the Tsutenkaku Tower soars high above the city.

1. Manila
   Cairo
2. Chicago
   San Diego

Spanish colonial structures sit alongside modern skyscrapers in the city of Manila in the Philippines. Skyscrapers like Trump Tower Manila are clustered in the Makati Central Business District, while history can be found at Fort Santiago and the 16th century San Agustin Church.

1. Seattle
   Mumbai
2. San Francisco
   Athens

San Francisco is instantly recognizable thanks to the Golden Gate Bridge, which spans the Golden Gate Channel. The skyscrapers of the Embarcadero Center and California Street, as well as the aptly named Transamerica Pyramid, create a memorable skyline.

1. Shanghai
   Baltimore
2. Mumbai
   Los Angeles

Mumbai may bring to mind sprawling slums, but the city is actually the largest in India and serves as a financial and business center for the entire nation. Many of the city's skyscrapers are residential, housing thousands of families. Other famous sites include the Gateway of India stone arch, as well as locations associated with Mumbai's Bollywood filmmaking industry.

1. Paris
   Cairo
2. Atlanta
   Madrid

The unmistakable Eiffel Tower is the tallest structure in Paris. Other famous sites in the city, which is split by the River Seine, include Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe and Sacre -Coeur.

1. Washington DC
   St. Petersburg
2. Lima
   London

Old meets new in London, with Big Ben and Parliament sitting alongside the River Thames. Nearby skyscrapers like, the Shard and the Leadenhall Building -- which resembles a giant cheese grater -- tower over the city.

1. Baltimore
   San Diego
2. Cape Town
   Cairo

Cairo is the capital of Egypt and sits on the banks of the Nile River. It's home to skyscrapers like Cairo Tower and the Grand Hyatt, but the city's most famous buildings are much older; just outside of Cairo, visitors flock to the ancient Great Pyramids of Giza.

1. Seattle
   Denver
2. Montreal
   San Francisco

The mighty Space Needle dominates the Seattle skyline, appearing to dwarf skyscrapers like the Columbia Center and other financial and commercial towers. Other great Seattle sites include Pike Place Market, the iconic Experience Music Museum and the truly inspiring Seattle Central Library.

1. Manila
   Shanghai
2. Denver
   Las Vegas

The snow-capped Rockies can be seen from almost any point in the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado. Major skyscrapers include Republic Plaza and the World Trade Center. The city is also rich in culture, including the Denver Botanical Gardens, a popular zoo and countless museums.

1. Shanghai
   Beijing
2. Nashville
   Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires pairs old-world charm with modern structures. Stroll down Avenida Corrientes to take in the mighty Obelisco, or check out 19th century architecture on the Plaza de Mayo. While the city has plenty of skyscrapers, most are residential rather than commercial.

1. Washington DC
   New York City
2. Kuala Lumpur
   Toronto

It's hard to mistake U.S. capital Washington D.C. for any other city. Landmarks like the Lincoln, Washington and Jefferson Memorials, the White House and the National Mall help to distinguish this great city from any other on the planet.

1. Istanbul
   Beijing
2. Boston
   Lima

Boston is a city rich in history, yet fully on the cutting edge of business and finance. The financial district and Back Bay are home to skyscrapers like the John Hancock Building and Prudential Towers, while City Hall features an unmistakable Brutalist architectural style. Old Boston can be found in the streets of Beacon Hill and in Faneuil Hall -- once a meeting spot, and now a food and shopping destination.

1. Las Vegas
   Memphis
2. Moscow
   Rio de Janiero

The statue of Christ the Redeemer sits atop Corcovado, which towers above Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Most tall buildings in the city are residential, but Rio is easily identified by​ the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, as well as the cable cars carrying passengers up to Sugarloaf Mountain.

1. Ho Chi Minh City
   Bangkok
2. New York City
   Nashville

Nashville is home to musical landmarks like the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand 'Ole Opry, and the Country Music Hall of Fame. The downtown skyline is dominated by the AT&T Building, which features a tall tower at each end to distinguish it from many other skyscrapers.

1. Paris
   Moscow
2. Lima
   Chicago

New world meets old world in Moscow, Russia. The modern glass of the Federation Tower and Oko Tower, each soaring over 1,000 feet into the air, sit alongside iconic structures like the Kremlin and St. Basil's Cathedral.

1. Shanghai
   Sydney
2. Madrid
   Atlanta

Shanghai serves as China's financial hub, and has the towering skyscrapers to prove it. Towers line the Huangpu River, while rich colonial architecture can be found in the area known as The Bund.

1. Montreal
   Paris
2. Istanbul
   Seattle

East meets west in Istanbul, a city that has often been seen as a transition between Europe and Asia. The Istanbul Sapphire is a modern skyscraper with a curved wall like a giant slide, while the magnificent Hagia Sofia has been drawing visitors since the 6th century.

1. Paris
   Atlanta
2. Toronto
   Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the city that never sleeps thanks to the bright lights of the Strip, a section of Las Vegas Boulevard that's home to some of the biggest hotels and casinos in the world. The Stratosphere Tower is the tallest structure around, and yes, there are insane thrill rides at the top that dangle riders high above the city.

1. Nashvillle
   Beijing
2. Los Angeles
   Baltimore

Tall buildings like the China World Trade Center and the CCTV Headquarters tower over Beijing. The city is also home to landmarks like Tienanmen Square, the National Museum of China and the Forbidden City.

1. Baltimore
   Madrid
2. Ho Chi Ming City
   Lima

Tall buildings like the Transamerica Tower and the Bank of America Building hover around 500 feet over the city of Baltimore. Closer to the ground, landmarks include the Inner Harbor, Fort McHenry and the famous Baltimore Aquarium.

1. Montreal
   Toronto
2. Lima
   Dallas

Lima is a mishmash of architectural styles, including Spanish Baroque, Neoclassical, and Colonial. The city is known for iconic structures like the Cathedral of Lima and the Monastery of San Francisco. The tallest skyscrapers in Lima top at around 30 stories.

1. Atlanta
   Kuala Lumpur
2. Bangkok
   Miami

Thailand's capital city of Bangkok is home to cultural icons like the Giant Swing, the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. The MahaKakhon skyscraper, at more than 1,000 feet tall, features cuboid cutouts and is the tallest building in the country.

1. Cape Town
   Montreal
2. Cairo
   San Francisco

Known for its rich Dutch Colonial architecture, Cape Town is home to a popular Botanical Garden. Skyscrapers like the Portside Tower and Metlife Center top out at around 30 stories.

1. Honolulu
   Chicago
2. St. Petersburg
   Shanghai

Russia's second largest city, St. Petersburg, is home to such classic structures as Smolny Cathedral, Senate Square and Trinity Cathedral. The Lakhta Center, at 88 stories, ranks among the tallest buildings in the city.

1. Shanghai
   Rome
2. Venice
   Ho Chi Minh City

The Vietnamese capital of Ho Chi Minh City features such classic sites as the City Hall, known for its glorious French Colonial architecture, and Notre Dame Cathedral. The city's tallest buildings are the towers of the District 1 banking and financial centers.

1. Madrid
   Kuala Lumpur
2. Washington DC
   Atlanta

The Spanish capital city of Madrid features traditional sites like the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and Almudeva Cathedral. Skyscrapers like Torre de Cristal and Torre Caja Madrid, hover more than 50 stories above the city.

1. Boston
   Chicago
2. Miami
   Atlanta

Atlanta's Bank of America Plaza soars more than 1,000 feet above the Georgia city, closely followed by SunTrust Plaza at more than 850 feet tall. Other major sites include Centennial Olympic Park and the World of Coca-Cola.

1. St. Petersburg
   Miami
2. Chicago
   Kuala Lumpur

The skyline of the Malaysian city Kuala Lumpur is absolutely unmistakable thanks to the Petronas Twin Towers. Once the tallest buildings in the world, the pair of skyscrapers is connected by a pedestrian bridge soaring 1,500 feet over the city.

1. Toronto
   Madrid
2. Baltimore
   Rome

The capital of Ontario, Toronto is home to the soaring CN Tower and the quirky Casa Loma. The city is also a business, finance and cultural center, with plenty of tall skyscrapers that create a picturesque skyline.

1. Dallas
   Miami
2. New York City
   Orlando

Miami is as famous for its Art Deco-style historic district as it is for its towering skyscrapers. Modern towers like the Four Seasons Hotel and the Panorama Tower line the streets in the busy Brickell District.

1. Berlin
   Singapore
2. Baltimore
   Ho Chi Minh City

Singapore is home to more than 4,000 highrises, most located within the downtown core. The Tanjong Pagar Centre rises more than 900 feet, while the soaring Marina Bay Sands features three connected towers housing a casino and hotel.

1. Rome
   Paris
2. Barcelona
   London

Barcelona is a mix of old and new, with the Gothic Quarter and Cathedral of Barcelona situated near the ultra-modern, bullet-shaped Torre Agbar. The medieval-style La Sagrada Familia Cathedral is an important cultural site.

1. Paris
   Madrid
2. New Orleans
   Sydney

New Orleans is famous for its Garden District and the rich culture and architecture along Bourbon Street. One Shell Square and Place St. Charles rank among the tallest structures in the city, with each measuring around 50 stories.

1. Sydney
   Washington DC
2. Dubai
   Athens

Greece is famous for its ancient structures, including the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, and the Acropolis. The tallest buildings in the city top out at around 28 stories.

1. Berlin
   Montreal
2. Chicago
   Kuala Lumpur

In Berlin, traditional structures like the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag can be found alongside commercial towers that soar as high as 1,200 feet into the sky. The city's Museum Island features five museums concentrated within a small area.

1. Rome
   London
2. New York City
   Beijing

The two tallest buildings in Rome illustrate the best of old and new; St. Peter's Basilica is nearly as tall as the city's tallest skyscraper, Torre Eurosky. The city is also home to awe-inspiring sites like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.

1. Toronto
   Seattle
2. Sydney
   Lima

Thanks to the iconic sail-like roofline of the Sydney Opera House, the city of Sydney, Australia, is easy to distinguish from other city skylines. The tallest structure in the city is Sydney Tower, at more than 1,000 feet.

1. Dubai
   Orlando
2. New York City
   Barcelona

Dubai is home to some of the tallest and most unique skyscrapers on the planet. The Burj Al Arab resembles a ship at sea, while the Cayan Tower soars into the sky as it twists a full 90-degrees. The Burj Khalifa includes 163 floors and soars 2,700 feet high.

1. Montreal
   Chicago
2. Los Angeles
   Las Vegas

Montreal law states that no building may be taller than Mount Royal, ensuring the city maintains its low-slung skyline. Famous sites include the Biodome, Olympic Park and Notre Dame Basilica.