- [Narrator] A whopping 90% of the world's trade goes by sea.

Every year, around 50,000 merchant ships manned by more than a million people move billions of tons of cargo to all corners of the globe.

The ports where they on and offload their goods are in every sense gateways to the world.

Some of the busiest cities on the planet are port cities.

But the regular to-ing and fro-ing of ships is not their only attraction.

Beyond all the heavy lifting, there is calm... beauty, heritage, and hedonism.

That in a taco shell, is what makes these cities great.

♪ ♪ ♪ As harbor cities go, few are as instantly recognizable as this one.

Dominated by iconic landmarks, Sydney Harbor is as famous as it is quintessentially Aussie.

Located on the east coast of Australia, with a population of over five million people, Sydney is the island nation's largest and oldest city.

The magnificent bay around which it's built is the world's largest natural harbor.

Inhabited by local aboriginal peoples for millennia, Port Botany was chosen by the British Empire as a suitable site to establish a new penal colony in 1788, from which it rapidly expanded.

Despite its inauspicious beginnings, Sydney has grown from a remote colonial outpost into a globally significant cultural and economic powerhouse.

Rich in natural resources, Australian exports contribute many billions of dollars to the local economy each year... a large amount of which pass through Sydney ports on their way to the rest of the world.

(indistinct chatter) But these waterways are more than shipping lanes and thoroughfares, they are in every sense interwoven into the fabric of daily life here.

Of course life on the world's largest harbor does have its challenges, like how to get to the other side.

Sydney ferries have been providing passage to commuters here since 1789.

What started with a single rowboat over time grew into an extensive interconnected network of modern vessels that carry passengers numbering three times the city's population every year.

Luckily for those with less sturdy sea legs, there is another option for crossing the harbor.

The Sydney Harbor Bridge connects the northern and southern reaches of the city by road and rail.

Built in the 1930s, the Coat Hanger, as locals fondly call it, is the world's largest and heaviest steel arch.

50,000 tons of steel held together by six million hand driven rivets.

The no-nonsense color known simply as Sydney Harbour Bridge Grey is trademarked.

Today it's almost a rite of passage for Sydneysiders and tourists alike to make the climb to the top of this iconic structure.

From here, there's a breathtaking view over the harbor and another of the city's iconic landmarks, the Sydney Opera House.

♪ Considered one of the 20th century's most distinctive buildings, this award-winning structure was designed by world renowned architect Jorn Utzon, opening its doors to the public in 1973.

Boasting seven venues and 1,600 performances a year, it's not just a pretty facade.

The concert hall is known for its excellent acoustics.

Operas are indeed a regular feature here.

But as Sydney is a culturally inclusive city, so are a variety of theater productions, rock concerts and school performances.

The foreshores of the Opera House provide the ultimate vantage point for Sydney's world-famous New Year's Eve fireworks display.

And the mid-winter Vivid celebrations, in which the one million plus ceramic tiles cladding those dramatic sails become the ultimate canvas for the nation's preeminent artists.

While Sydney's harbor is a conduit for outgoing exports, it also acts as a global gateway for visitors.

Attracting more than eight million international visitors a year, Sydney's tourism industry is booming.

By day, they gravitate towards the coastline like a flock of hungry seagulls.

Close to the city center, Bondi Beach is famous for its white sands, buff bodies and laid-back surfing culture.

Off the beach a slew of cafes, restaurants and bars attract a steady stream of backpackers.

Sydney's nightlife is just as attractive.

The city boasts many world class restaurants.

One of the loftier choices, the Sydney Tower, which offers a 360-degree vista of the city's skyline.

Alive and kicking, Sydney's bar and club scene caters to both the young and the young at heart.

In celebration of its forward thinking and universally tolerant outlook, Sydney plays host to the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

(crowd cheering) Each year the vibrant street parade attracts party-goers from all over the world that unite in celebration well into the night.

Beginning life as a colonial outpost, Sydney has blossomed into one of the world's most iconic cities.

Greatly influenced by the traffic that flows in and out of its ports, it has embraced the world in a uniquely Australian way.

♪ Ancient and charming, famed and fabled, nestled alongside the Adriatic Sea, is the world's most romantic port city.

Venice.

♪ Situated in the picturesque northeast corner of Italy, Venice is a port city unlike any other, a treasure trove of history, art and a delightfully distinctive culture.

Few cities in the world have been so dramatically shaped by their natural surrounds.

Strewn across more than 100 islands, Venice is both divided and united by its extensive network of canals, of which there are more than any other city on Earth.

As roads were to the Romans, canals are to the Venetians.

Connecting the archipelago, 177 waterways act as natural boundaries, but also thoroughfares upon which travels watercraft of all shapes and sizes.

Four kilometers in length, the aptly named Grand Canal snakes its way through the center of town.

The stunning architecture along its banks is supported by countless wooden pylons, still intact despite centuries of submersion.

Rather than aging, it's the events of more recent times that currently threaten this ancient city.

The drilling of artesian wells in the 20th century led to the gradual sinking of Venice.

With countermeasures now in place, the subsidence has been limited to one to two millimeters a year, but the city is still prone to occasional flooding.

Impervious to the rising waters, gondolas have been a fixture in Venice for centuries.

Despite a modern preference for motorized watercraft, these nostalgic vessels persevere, if only to service the millions of tourists that ply these canals each year.

In Venetian folklore, it's said that if a gondola passes under a bridge while a couple is kissing, they are destined to be lovers forever.

Luckily for the romantic at heart in this lovers' paradise there are over 400 bridges from which to choose.

A major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Venice has enjoyed prosperity throughout its history.

(woman singing in Italian) Famed for its art and architecture, today the city retains a sense of grandeur.

Located along the Grand Canal, the Piazza San Marco forms the beating heart of the city, regularly underscored by the beating of 100,000 wings.

The social, political and religious center of Venice, Napoleon is said to have called this square The Drawing Room of Europe.

Dominating the square is the Basilica San Marco, the eclectically designed Cathedral of Venice.

Known for its opulence and gold mosaics, it has long stood as a status symbol of the wealth and power of the Venetian people.

Beyond its historic charms and famed waterways, the port city of Venice continues its maritime traditions.

(singing continues) Today, a major trading port and busy cruise ship terminal, Venice is as vital as it's ever been.

♪ A city with an extraordinary history.

Today, St Petersburg serves as a major trading port and a gateway to Russia's cultural heartland.

The historical capital sits upon the banks of the Neva River in the nation's northwest.

Known for its charming canals, St.

Petersburg is often dubbed the Venice of the North.

♪ Founded by Peter the Great, the 18th century tsar for whom the city is named, St.

Petersburg served as Russia's imperial capital for more than two centuries.

Although influenced by Russian leaders such as Lenin and Stalin, it was the vision of Peter the Great that transformed this once modest seaside town into the great maritime city that we see today.

Inviting the sea inland, Peter's dream for the city included an intricate network of waterways and canals.

Today one of the most satisfying ways to drink in this city's historic charms is to do so by watercraft.

Immortalized in bronze, the giant horseman of Senate Square pays tribute to the great tsar.

Known as Thunderstone and weighing a whopping 1,500 tons, the stone upon which the statue sits is the largest ever moved by human hands.

While a feat of Russian manpower, it's not without precedent.

♪ A city of opulence and grandeur, St.

Petersburg was largely built upon the backs of peasants.

During the 18th century, hundreds of thousands of Russian peasants were conscripted to fulfill the tsar's dream... many of which did not survive the Arctic winters.

The population suffered further adversity during the 20th century.

Following the First World War, Lenin's revolution brought about the end of the dynastic rule of tsars, but the newfound camaraderie was to be short-lived.

A Nazi siege of the city during the Second Great War led to the starvation of countless citizens.

Rising above recent misfortunes, today this historical port city perseveres and has since blossomed into the nation's cultural flagship.

("The Nutcracker Suite: Dance of the Reed-Flutes" playing) ♪ Founded in 1764 by Empress and passionate art collector Catherine the Great, the Hermitage Museum is one of the largest and most highly regarded galleries the world has ever known.

Housing over three million cultural artifacts, it boasts among other things the world's largest collection of paintings.

♪ The Winter Palace, the former residence of the Empress, forms the centerpiece of the complex.

The antiquities and art on public display here account for but a fraction of museum's famed collective works.

♪ Serving as the royal summer residence, Catherine Palace is the epitome of opulence.

Overlooking the sea on the southern fringes of the city, the stunning facade of this enormous palace is gilded with more than 100 kilograms of gold leaf.

To satisfy Catherine's passion for neoclassical art, the interior of the 1,000-square meter grand hall boasts sophisticated decor, lavish edifices, and an exquisitely painted ceiling.

As magnificent as they are, the wonders of this city are not limited to palaces and galleries.

♪ By losing its status as the nation's capital to Moscow during the early 20th century, St.

Petersburg managed to retain its architectural heritage, largely avoiding the reconstruction of the Soviet era.

Today the city center enjoys a UNESCO world heritage listing, preserving the charm of its 18th century baroque and 19th century neoclassical designs.

The city's skyline is adorned with the gilded domes and spires of churches, basilicas and cathedrals, vying for their place in the spotlight.

Never far from its roots, the Venice of the North is immersed in maritime culture and awash with seaside charm.

Built upon dreams, St.

Petersburg was first conjured in the mind of a great tsar, transformed by the decadent whims of an Empress and emancipated by an idealist with an indelible desire for liberty.

Today in all its glory, St.

Petersburg continues to thrive as one of the world's greatest port cities.

♪ Straddling the southern most tip of the continent of Africa is a harbor town of both significant beauty and international significance.

Looming large in the shadow of Table Mountain lies the port city of Cape Town.

Strategically situated along one of the world's busiest trade routes, it's perhaps because of, rather than in spite of, its heaving international seaport that remote Cape Town has become a truly eclectic and multicultural metropolis.

As the great African continent meets the southern Atlantic Ocean, residents here enjoy a wealth of nature's bounty from land and sea.

In the fashionable harbor side area of Alfred and Victoria, filled with cafes, bars, and boutique shops, the face of a modern and vibrant city is evident at every turn.

Originally established as a remote supply station for ships of the Dutch East India Company en-route to East Africa, India, and the Far East, the settlement quickly outgrew its original purpose and soon became an integral hub of global trade.

From these humble beginnings the Dutch founded the city of Cape Town in 1652.

(man singing in local language) Today Cape Town is regarded as one of the world's most multicultural urban centers.

Indeed, this city has been a popular destination for seafaring migrants for centuries... each new arrival adding a unique flavor to an already diverse melting pot.

Originally home to the indigenous Khoikhoi people, both the Dutch and British Empires have ruled the region.

And immigrants from as far afield as Continental Africa, India and the Far East have come to call it home.

But the residents here weren't always as accepting of others as they are today.

Scattered around town are a number of monuments that serve as reminders of darker days.

(woman singing in local language) Coming to power in 1948, the National Party did so on a platform of apartheid, a racist system that denied basic rights and opportunities to the non-white majority of South Africans.

The District Six Museum depicts the stories of the 60,000 black South Africans who were forcibly removed from their homes and condemned to live in slums.

(singing continues) ♪ The skeletons in the closet of Robben Island are no less confronting.

It was on Robben Island that freedom fighter Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 long years.

Forced to dwell in a cell just over two meters square, he spent his days laboring in a lime quarry and his nights lying on a straw mat, dreaming of a brighter future for his downtrodden people.

Upon emerging from prison, Mandela continued to fight for the abolition of apartheid and ultimately went on to become South Africa's first black president.

It was from the balcony of Cape Town's parliament house that President Mandela gave his famous inauguration speech, winning the hearts and minds of not just South Africans, but people the world over.

- The people of South Africa have spoken in this election.

They want change, and change is what they will get.

(crowd applauding) - [Narrator] Flanked by the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain on one side and the roaring southern Atlantic on the other, Cape Town is renowned for its natural beauty.

While hiking up the mountain is a popular pastime for some, the cable car ride provides a less strenuous alternative.

Set at the foot of Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, considered one of the world's finest, contains over 9,000 native plant species.

Refusing to be overshadowed by the mountain, the pristine beaches that surround the city have a few draw cards of their own.

The penguins of Boulders Beach attract crowds in their tens of thousands.

Although blessed with natural abundance and fortuitous geographic positioning, Cape Town's rise to greatness was a bumpy one.

The unexpected offspring of wayward sailors, the young Dutch settlement endured a rocky adolescence before maturing into the modern, vibrant and independent port city we see today.

♪ Nestled in the southwest corner of Canada, set like a diamond in nature's claw, Vancouver is bound by a magnificent harbor on one side and glorious mountains on the other.

The most diversified port on the North American continent, the Port of Vancouver generates over $20 billion in revenue annually.

A busy interface of global trade, it's also a hub of tourism with over one million cruise ship passengers passing through this gateway to the wilds of Alaska each year.

Set amidst stunning natural scenery, it's easy to see why this city is consistently ranked among the top 10 most livable cities in the world.

Often called the City of Neighborhoods, Vancouver is made up of distinct enclaves.

With more than half the population using a first language other than English, many districts reflect the ethnic culture of those that inhabit them... the indelible hallmark of an international port city.

Diverging from its historical reliance on the logging and mining industries, Vancouver is today leading the world in environmentally sustainable practices.

With over 90% of its energy requirements generated by renewable resources, the city is proudly striving to be the world's greenest urban center.

And with surrounds such as these, it's no wonder that the locals want to preserve them.

Overshadowing the coastal city, striking snow-capped mountains are a mere stone's throw away.

At the right time of year in fact, locals can go surfing in the morning and hit the slopes in the afternoon.

In the colder months, Grouse Mountain, which locals refer to as the peak of Vancouver, transforms into a winter wonderland.

While the skyline gondola is the fastest way to the top, the mountain offers a number of options for descent.

But it's a wise idea not to stray too far off piste, because the locals have been known to get a little frisky.

In summer, the mountains provide a haven for hikers, mountain bikers and kayakers alike, seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Originally built in 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge, to the north of the city, offers breath-taking of the surrounding alpine region.

Measuring 140 meters long and 70 meters high, this eco-tour is not for the faint-hearted.

Not that that seems to dampen the spirits of the hoards who pass through it and the neighboring canopy walk each year.

For those who like their adventures a little more urbane, the funky Gastown area is a hive of activity.

Packed with indie arts venues and fashionable food outlets, it's a trendy enclave of contemporary pleasures.

Also in the downtown area, the eclectic Granville Island markets provide Vancouver residents with the freshest produce that British Columbia has to offer.

Grown by locals for locals, another example of the city's green outlook.

A charming, elegant port city, delivered by the wooded mountains to the idyllic sea, Vancouver may have come from humble forestry and maritime roots but today stands as one of the most modern and eco-friendly cities in the world.

♪ Flanked by the Southern Atlantic ocean lies a harbor town that is widely considered to be one of the world's most beautiful and interesting cities.

Marching to the beat of its own drum, it flaunts its many charms with trademark flair.

It is of course Rio De Janeiro.

Rio as it's more commonly known, sits on the east coast of the South American nation of Brazil.

Famous for its natural beauty, architecture, culture and lifestyle, Rio is one of the most visited cities in the southern hemisphere.

But, historically not all have come here of their own volition.

The city's port grew in prominence during the 18th century, thanks to a booming trade in gold and diamonds.

But to keep pace with exports, another commodity was required to be imported: African slaves.

An estimated five million were brought to Brazil between the 16th and 19th centuries, forever changing the city's demographic.

While Rio plays host to more Portuguese descendants than anywhere outside of Portugal, today the influence of the Afro-Brazilin community is also keenly felt, most notably during times of celebration.

And, perhaps, this is what Rio is most famous for.

Dating back to the early 1700s, Carnival is the love child of a Catholic festival and a samba competition, two unlikely bedfellows in any language.

Seen here in all its glory, the African influence on Brazilian culture is most profound.

The parade inside the Sambadrome, the dynamic heart of festivities, features sensual samba dancers driven more by rhythm than the elaborate floats that carry them.

From here the party spills out into the streets and spreads like wildfire throughout the surrounding neighborhoods.

On the morning after the night before, normality returns to the streets.

These rustic districts, known as favelas, are home to more than a quarter of Rio's population.

Derived from the Portuguese word for slum, some favelas are notoriously plagued with crime, while others are proud, community-based neighborhoods collectively working towards a better future.

Outside the favelas, one gets the sense that Rio is quickly finding its feet.

Blessed with natural beauty and a strong emerging economy, it's a city on the rise.

Amongst the most prominent natural features of this coastal city are its stunning balneario beaches.

Famous for its crescent shape, Copacabana Beach is a year round hotspot.

The mosaic promenade that borders it is an idyllic location for sidewalk cafes, hotels, bars and nightclubs.

With its legendary big barrels, the surf at nearby Ipanema Beach attracts board riders from all around the world.

Back on dry land, the beach plays host to countless games of football, volleyball and the local hybrid footvolley.

Watching over the city's coastline is a cultural icon: Christ the Redeemer.

Standing over 30 meters tall, this statue is one of the seven manmade wonders of the world.

Receiving almost two million visitors a year, Christ stands with arms outstretched atop Mount Corcovado.

Portuguese for hunchback, Corcovado is one of several monolithic peaks that dominate the city's skyline.

Another, Sugarloaf Mountain, stands watch over the mouth of Guanabara Bay.

(singing in Portuguese) While popular with rock climbers, most visitors choose to take a more direct route to the summit, making use of the historic cable car.

Viewed from on high, Rio is a port city of immense natural beauty.

Its uniquely blended culture and effervescent way of life has become the envy of the world, a salient symbol of a proud and colorful nation.

♪ Set against the backdrop of ancient cobblestone streets and imposing medieval castles, the story of Edinburgh is the story of kings and queens, of merchants and mariners, and of the glistening jewel in the Scottish royal crown.

Recognized as the capital of Scotland since the 15th century, Edinburgh sits upon the Firth of Forth, at the point where the mighty river meets the sea.

In tune with its craggy natural surrounds, it appears to gaze out to sea like a forlorn maiden hoping to catch a glimpse of returning sails upon the horizon.

Built upon a strong seafaring tradition... from land and sea.

Serving as both military stronghold and royal residence... (boom) Edinburgh Castle has defended the port city for close to a thousand years.

Recent findings suggest that the castle has sustained no less than 26 sieges throughout its history, making it one of the most assailed sites the world has ever known.

Today the hoards that descend upon the castle shoot with cameras rather than cannons.

Receiving nearly one and a half million visitors a year, it's one of the UK's most popular tourist attractions.

At the foot of the castle, Edinburgh's historic Old Town boasts a UNESCO Heritage listing.

The craggy rock around which it's built, the remnants of an extinct volcano.

Full of hidden passages, concealing mysterious haunts, the area exudes a timeless appeal.

Forming the spine of Old Town is the Royal Mile.

This 17th century arterial thoroughfare feeds an intricate network of narrow cobble-stoned laneways that often run beneath the city's surface through charming archways and into unexpected squares.

Today, it serves as a bustling retail district.

Punctuating the lower end of the Royal Mile, set within park lands, Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British royal family in Scotland.

Queen Elizabeth II, a frequent visitor in the summer months.

Home to the Kings and Queens of the Scots since the 16th century, the palace is steeped in history and lavished with many significant artworks.

Within the bounds of the surrounding Holyrood Park resides Arthur's Seat, a volcanic outcrop once carved by glaciers that have long since melted away.

The views from the ancient hill fort upon the summit of Arthur's Seat are truly breathtaking, affording uninterrupted glimpses of the city's countless landmarks.

Sitting at the foot of the hill lies a more contemporary seat of power.

Opened in 2004, the new Scottish Parliament building was designed to incorporate poetic elements of the local landscape, culture and voice of the Scottish people.

Overcoming initial controversy, the complex has since won international acclaim and several prestigious architectural awards.

A modern building for a forward thinking parliament.

Nicknamed the Athens of the North, Edinburgh has nurtured a number of great thinkers and philosophers, some of who helped lead the world into the age of enlightenment.

Paying homage to the 18th century philosopher, the Dugald Stewart Memorial, atop Carlton Hill, is based on the architecture of ancient Greece.

Although enshrouded in history, today, Edinburgh fosters a modern cosmopolitan culture.

Once a year revelers arrive by air, land and of course sea, to partake in the city's famed Fringe Festival.

During the month of August, the world's largest arts festival hosts more than 50,000 performances across 300 city venues.

A remarkable medieval enclave, with a distinctly modern flavor, Edinburgh has persevered through the ages... and today remains one of the more charming and intriguing of the world's greatest port cities.

♪ Catering to one of the greatest consumer markets on the planet, San Francisco may not be the largest or busiest port city in the United States, but it's certainly amongst the most influential.

Named after St.

Francis of Assisi, San Francisco is situated on the west coast of the United States of America in the state of California.

- [Man] ♪ I just want to go ♪ - [Narrator] Together with its neighbors, San Jose and Oakland, it forms America's celebrated Bay Area, a region that holds a unique place in the world's global marketplace.

Silicon Valley, an outlying region of San Francisco, is a mecca for multi-national corporations.

Yahoo!, Google, Facebook and Netflix are all headquartered here, providing the state of California with an economy that betters that of most nations.

Not unlike the Internet boom of recent times, San Francisco was originally built upon the back of a 19th century gold rush.

Today, the city's Chinatown precinct, the biggest in the country, is reflective of the droves of Chinese migrants that flocked to the city seeking their fortunes.

Building upon this early cultural diversity, San Francisco earned a reputation as an open and accepting city, the labors of which permeated well beyond its borders.

From the hippie movement and sexual revolution of the 1960s to the LGBTQI struggle, San Fran has been at the forefront of numerous social movements and continues to be loud and proud, today.

With its gaudy international orange paint, the Golden Gate is one of the world's most recognizable bridges.

The mammoth construction spans a 1.5 kilometer strait, connecting San Francisco to Marin County.

The bridge is said to shape the fog that famously and frequently obscures the bay area view.

Reminiscent of car chases in many a Hollywood film, the streets of San Francisco are notoriously hilly.

A terrain that is perhaps better suited to the Golden City's famous cable cars.

This is the world's last manually operated cable car system.

And the grip men who deftly switch between cables are highly skilled drivers.

One of the more popular stops along the main cable car line is the flamboyant Fisherman's Wharf area.

Drawn to the world-class seafood, tourists aren't the only visitors to frequent the bay.

But not all those that have come here have done so of their own free will.

Once a military garrison, Alcatraz, or simply The Rock, earned infamy during the 20th century as an inescapable penitentiary.

In addition to the heavily guarded stone walls, natural barriers such as strong ocean currents and a healthy population of sharks helped to secure inmates, like the notorious gangster Al Capone, on the island prison.

Today, it serves as a popular tourist destination.

Riding the tide of not one, but two economic booms throughout its history, the port city of San Francisco has attracted immense wealth and prosperity.

Today, the City by the Bay is in its prime, moving from strength to strength as it continues to live on the cutting edge.

♪ Transcending oceanic boundaries, the great maritime cities of the world bridge countries and continents.

And in doing so, unite the global community.

More than mere gateways for goods and commodities, throughout history they have been conduits for ideas and ideals, cultures and philosophies.

Built upon the fringes of society where the land meets the sea, these celebrated harbor towns boast incredible natural beauty, a wealth of history and unique cultural identities.

(men whooping) They are the world's greatest port cities.

♪ ♪