Despite those hurricanes and the much-heralded housing slowdown, Florida took top honors among the states; five of its cities made it into the top 25 this year.
None of its cities have more than 200,000 inhabitants, and it was largely spared the ravages of war and the brutalising planning of DDR architects.
Most importantly, though, the content itself is so beautifully idiosyncratic and personal that it suggests a chart of the overriding emotions of its cities, whether talking about Pune in India, Copenhagen in Denmark, or Nakuru in Kenya.
A major wheat-exporting region, it was on the main trade route between Europe and Asia; one of its cities, Sestos, was at the main crossing point of the Hellespont.
Most of its cities are still Kandahar.
But much of upstate New York is economically depressed, and several of its cities are shrinking.
The balance of the American economy shifted; the shape of its cities changed.
In fact, Yorkshire is remarkably ill-served by airports, considering the size and importance of its cities and businesses.
It won in 16 of Ukraine's 25 regions and in two of its cities, Kiev and Sevastopol.
STEERING Canada's economy towards recovery is proving as tricky as driving a car on the icy streets of its cities.
Champagne used to be an industrial hub, and there is a gritty feel to many of its cities.
