The World’s Capitals

Mexico City, Lagos and Johannesburg spring to mind immediately as three cities that have fearsome reputations: high crime, chaotic infrastructure, overpopulation and general lawlessness. In reality, they are so much more: full of culture and art, creativity and brilliant ideas and anchored by a concrete history.

Highly praised Nigerian writer Chris Abani has a fascinating essay on the many things the capitals of the world, from Los Angeles to Istanbul, have in common for their traveling inhabitants — and how those commonalities unite us all.