What are the 5 greatest cities in the world?

An Editor at the International Business Times has an idea -- based on a methodology he developed for his manuscript, entitled appropriately enough, The 5 Greatest Cities In The World.

The book's methodology encompasses the economy, culture, human rights, diversity, social conditions, and the rule of law/equal protection under the law, among other factors.

To be sure, it's one person's look at human development and civilization, but hopefully it will make for an interesting read. (And if the publisher agrees, a second book!)

Listed below are: 1 special honorable mention city, 6 honorable mention cities, and the 5 greatest cities in the world.

O.K., so that's 12 cities, not 5, but this is a picture feature, after all, and in the Editor's interpretation, the 7 additional honorable mention cities are locales easily worthy of recognition.

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Earth
The Earth as photographed from the Apollo 17 spacecraft. NASA
9. Australia
Pictured: Sydney Opera House in Australia. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz
Honorable Mention - Beijing
Honorable Mention - Beijing. The political, educational, and cultural center of China, Beijing is one of the four, great ancient capitals of China -- with thousands of sites rich in history. Although Hong Kong and Shanghai dominate in economics, China’s national policy decisions are made in Beijing. Pictured: Tiananmen Square, Beijing. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic
Honorable Mention - Cairo
Honorable Mention - Cairo. The largest city in the Muslim World, the Arab World, and Africa, Cairo, the capital of Egypt, also is a major focal point in the Arab Spring. And as the reform process continues, you can be sure of one thing: the people of Cairo will help shape the social, economic, cultural, and political changes occurring in the Arab World. Pictured: Tahir Square, Cairo during the Arab Spring protests, 2011. REUTERS/Asmaa Waguih
Honorable Mention - Rio De Janeiro
Honorable Mention - Rio De Janeiro. The second most visited city in the southern hemisphere, Rio is renowned for its natural spendlor, carnival celebrations, samba, Bossa Nova, and world-class beaches: Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and Barra da Tijuca. Can you think of any one who went to Rio who did not have a wonderful time? And that bodes well for the 2016 Summer Olympics, for which Rio is the host. Pictured: Christ the Redeemer shrine and statue, Rio de Janeiro. REUTERS/Bruno Domingos
Honorable Mention - Jerusalem - The Holy City
Honorable Mention - Jerusalem - The Holy City. Jerusalem is holy to the three major Abrahamic religions -- Judaism, Islam, and Christianity and is the capital of Israel. Pictured: The Western Wall; The Dome of the Rock is at the left. REUTERS/Nir Elias
Honorable Mention - Moscow
Honorable Mention - Moscow. Napoleon invaded Russia, but when his troops tired, the Russians kept going. In 1941, Hitler said his Nazi Germany would conquer Russia in a 6-8 week campaign, but when the German Army froze amid the brutal winter of 1941-42, the Russians kept going. In 1991, communism ended, but the Russians kept going. Today, Moscow, the political capital and rich in cultural history, is positioning itself to be an economic and financial powerhouse of the 21st century. And be assured of this, whatever happens, the Russians will keep going. Pictured: Red Square, Moscow with St. Basil's Church (left) and the Kremlin (right). REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic
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