2. 10. Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Argentina's largest city
makes the cut in part
for its relative
proximity to the first
city on this list. "It's a
slightly diluted version
of Rio," says Anholt. "I
suspect people know
far less about Buenos
Aires than Rio. They
may not know it's in
Argentina, but they
know it's in Latin
America."
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. 9. Paris, France
• Paris, je t'aime! Most
people agree. "Paris
is the most adored
city on the planet,"
says Anholt. "People
think it's so beautiful,
so lovely, it must be
happy."
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13. 8. Rome, Italy
• Ancient history
meets modern
sophistication in
Rome, and the rest
of the world loves
it. "Generally
speaking, people
associate Italy with
being laid-back and
stylish," says
Anholt. "People
think the Italians
are always happy,
always in a party
mood."
14.
15.
16.
17.
18. 7. San Francisco, U.S.
• The lone
American
metropolis, San
Francisco makes
the list because
it's perceived by
foreigners as the
"most fun" of
America's major
cities. "It's
associated with
gay pride," says
Anholt. "That's a
happy image
unless you're a
raging
homophobe."
19.
20.
21.
22.
23. 6. Madrid, Spain
• Spain's capital and largest
city makes the list due to its
vibrant culture and high
standard of living. That
comes as something of a
surprise to Anholt,
considering the absence of
Italian cities like Milan. "It's
interesting that the Spanish
are perceived as being
happier than the Italians,"
he says. "I find the Spanish
rather gloomy."
24.
25.
26.
27.
28. 5. Melbourne, Australia
• Australia's second city
is a major center for
arts and education,
but it makes the list
because it's part of a
well-liked nation.
"People know it's in
Australia, and that it's
full of Australians,"
says Anholt.
"Therefore, it must be
fun."
29.
30.
31.
32.
33. 4. Amsterdam, Netherlands
• This historical trading hub is now a chic metropolis--one where perceived
happiness is abundant, if herbally induced. "A lot of our respondents are
young people," says Anholt. "Amsterdam fared well, I presume, because
they think everybody is stoned all the time. It's sex, drugs and rock and roll."
34.
35.
36.
37.
38. 3. Barcelona, Spain
• Lively culture,
warm weather and
one of the best
soccer teams in
the world are big
draws for
Barcelona. Anholt
calls it "the classic
Mediterranean
city."
39.
40.
41.
42.
43. 2. Sydney, Australia
• Famous for friendly
locals and its iconic
opera house, Sydney
fared well in Anholt's
survey because of its
association with a
popular brand--
Australia. "It's where
everybody would like to
go," says Anholt.
"There's this image of
this nation of people
who basically sit
around having
barbecues."
44.
45.
46.
47.
48. 1. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Popular perception of the
city is infused with
images of starry-eyed
youngsters dancing into
the dusk, backed by
mountains and dark sea.
Not far from the truth for
a city that's home to the
annual Carnaval festival.
