This article is about densely populated regions. For the core of such regions, see Metropolis . For other uses, see Metropolitan (disambiguation) . "Metro area" redirects here. For the dance music duo, see Metro Area . Population tables of world cities World's largest cities World's largest cities proper World's densest population World's largest conurbations World's largest urban areas World megacities World megalopolises v t e A metropolitan area is a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. [1] A metro area usually comprises multiple jurisdictions and municipalities : neighborhoods , townships , boroughs , cities , towns , exurbs , suburbs , counties , districts , states , and even nations like the eurodistricts . As social, economic and political institutions have changed, metropolitan areas have