The ancient capital Beijing and the southern commerce and industrial hub of Guangzhou grew nearly as rapidly.

FORBES: The World's Fastest-Growing Megacities

Six of the country's seven biggest-earning railways converge there, and the city is still the hub for a staggering amount of trans-continental commerce.

ECONOMIST: Transport in Chicago

Safe and efficient maritime commerce is essential to the growth and stability of this huge transportation hub.

FORBES: The Port of New York and New Jersey, a Critical Hub of Global Commerce