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CLEAN AIR is an underrated commodity, but one that keeps rural tourism en vogue and goes hand in hand with the war on climate change – as well as CO2 and NOx emissions trapping heat into the earth's atmosphere, causing rising global temperatures and, with it, extreme weather (even extreme cold), air pollution is the direct cause of death of seven million people on planet earth every year.
That's one in every 1,000 humans; more than the equivalent of the entire population of Madrid has perished, somewhere in the world, since mid-March 2021, due to polluted air.
City-dwellers are probably the most conscious of the danger, although not all cities are, in fact, polluted; and if you're in the USA, Australia, Canada or Spain, you have more chance than anyone else of finding a mass metropolitan zone with fresh, healthy oxygen in it to breathe in.
Berkeley Earth's latest 'air quality list' is the result of research into which cities worldwide are the least-polluted – and, in Europe, Spain is the country that does best.
Other than Finland, it's the only European nation that has more than one entry, and it has more than anywhere else on the continent.
How 'least-polluted' is measured
A wide variety of factors have to be taken into account when calculating air-pollution levels – one of which is the quantity of particles in suspension, or microscopic elements of toxic substances such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (NOx), hanging in the air, and the concentration or density of these.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the atmosphere starts to get unhealthy when particles in suspension rise above 2.5 per cubic metre of air – this is the ideal, though, and difficult for a major urban sprawl to achieve unless everyone walks and all industry shuts down - so a city will only make Berkeley Earth's air quality list if its reading is not too far above this figure.
Consistently low is also necessary – particles in suspension were monitored in real time for set periods, among other factors, and the results compiled to give a ranking of the top 40 cleanest urban atmospheres.
'Cities' were defined by inhabitant numbers – a minimum of a quarter of a million – rather than 'official' definitions which might include Royal charters, presence of a cathedral or government office, and so on.
After all, Madrid is officially a town, despite its 6.5 million residents, whilst Spain's smallest city (more on that later) has around 250 people on its census.
The most-polluted cities on earth
Berkeley Earth also compiled the top 40 cities with the worst air quality on the planet – and all bar nine of these were in India.
Delhi is the most polluted, according to the 'air quality list', followed by its colonial quarter, New Delhi, and Noida.
The only non-Indian city that made it into the top 10 was Dhaka, the capital of neighbouring Bangladesh.
Other Bangladeshi cities in the 40 most-polluted are Tungi (number 11), Narsingdi (20), and Rajshahi (35).
Pakistan did not fare well, entering the list at number 17 with Lahore, followed by Peshwar (25), Sheikhupura (27), and Kasur (36).
China only had one entry – Kashgar, at 14 – as did Kazakhstan, with Karagandy at number 40.
All the rest were in India, and other than Delhi, New Delhi and the Taj Mahal city of Agra (28), the main tourism hotspots in the country, such as Bombay (Mumbai) and Jaipur were not included.
Nowhere in Europe – or, indeed, outside of Asia – made the 'most polluted' list.
The ranking at a glance
Seven countries in Europe, of which five are EU member States, got into the least-polluted list, which was heavily dominated by the USA, Canada and Australia.
Although, of course, these three countries have a much larger land-mass than anywhere in the EU – the latter of these is actually bigger than the whole of continental Europe, minus Russia – meaning more cities to choose from.
Given this, it is perhaps no surprise that Australia hogs the top three, with Melbourne the outright winner, followed by Newcastle and Sydney, and three other entries in the top 10 – Canberra and Gold Coast (5 and 6) and Logan City (10).
And, in fact, mainland USA did not appear until number 15, with Portland; the number four slot for the United States goes to Honolulu, Hawaii.
Canada entered the top 10 twice, with Surrey and Vancouver, and Europe had just one entry – Saint Petersburg, in Russia.
Kazakhstan, despite its dubious honour of making the most-polluted cities list, also got into the least-polluted cities list – Kyzyl-Orda and Kyzylorda (apparently two different places) appeared at 11 and 12.
Finland is the highest-ranking country in the EU, but not the most prevalent – an award which goes to Spain – with Helsinki and Espöö at 13 and 14 – and the UK slipped in at number 17 with its only entry, in Scotland (Glasgow), just behind Portland, and Brisbane (Australia).
Europe next appears at number 20, with the Estonian capital of Tallinn, behind Victoria (Canada) and Seattle (USA) at 17 and 18 respectively; then again at 22, with the Swedish capital of Stockholm, just behind Colorado Springs (USA).
The average particles in suspension reading over the last hour before the research report was released, as well as the last day, the last week, the last month and the whole of the previous year were given.
Melbourne's annual average was 2.6, the Gold Coast 4, and Logan City at 4.9, whilst Europe's lowest is 5.2 (Helsinki); Glasgow's annual average is 5.7, although the previous hour, day and week registered figures of 45.3, 33.9 and 15.8.
These most recent readings were also high for Tallinn (19.8, 20.7 and 12.9) and Stockholm (21.8, 19.1 and 11.8), although their annual averages were 5.9 and 6.4, respectively.
Where does Spain fit in, and which is its 'cleanest' city?
Sevilla is Spain's least-polluted city, and Europe's seventh and the world's 23rd least-polluted city.
The capital of the southernmost mainland region of Andalucía, home to the famous Feria de Abril or 'April Fair' and to the country's largest cathedral – with its Giralda bell-tower – as well as the nation's oldest bullring, we now know that in terms of crowded, bustling metropolitan areas, its air is among the cleanest you'll find in the northern hemisphere this side of the Atlantic.
Other not-to-be-missed sights in the birthplace of the fast-paced sevillanas dance steps (think polka-dot dresses, hand-clapping, gypsy guitars and castañets) include the Torre de Oro ('Gold Tower'), the spectacular, huge Plaza de España with its representations of each and every province in Spain, the Plaza de América with its gardens and fountains, the Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes) and, if you have transport and time, pop to nearby Santiponce to see some of the best-preserved and largest Roman ruins outside of Rome itself.
Consistent 'greens' for Spain; a few 'yellows' for the rest of Europe
Unlike many cities ranked above Sevilla for their slightly-lower annual average pollution readings, Sevilla did not register any spikes by hour, day, week or month – Saint Petersburg had two 'yellows' with a 13.9 and a 16.7; Kazakhstan's two cities had three 'yellows', ranging from 12.7 to 14.6; Finland's two cities had two 'yellows' for the previous hour and day, from 18.5 to 18.9, whilst Glasgow's two 'yellows' for the last week and day were joined by the top 40's only 'orange', at 45.3, for the previous hour.
Tallinn hit the 'yellow' three times (from 13.1 to 21.7) and Stockholm twice (19.7 and 23.9); and Dublin was coloured in yellow for the last hour, day and week, from 15.5 to 25.
In fact, the only European cities which were entirely on 'green' were in Spain.
'Green' appears to be for a particles-in-suspension reading of less than 12 – and, curiously, those ranked from 26 down to 40 based upon their annual readings (from 6.8 to 7.6) were entirely green across the board, meaning they had no 'peaks' of pollution that then dropped off over time.
Put into perspective, the top 40 most-polluted cities consistently showed readings of between 70 and 105, leaving the graph almost entirely coloured in red.
The 'reds' seem to be for readings above 56, with only the Pakistani cities featuring any 'orange' readings, and three in India – Ghaziabad (number four), Meerut and Muzaffarnagar (7 and 8) – hitting the 'purple' for the previous hour's reading, at 177.4, 166.2 and 164.7.
All these 40 had a 'red' annual total, from Karagandy's 56.3 to Delhi's 89.1.
The colour scheme and its associated numbers are based upon the USA's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Health Guidelines.
Two in one hit
After Sevilla comes Anchorage (USA), Dublin (Ireland), Lincoln (USA), Winnipeg (Canada), then Virginia Beach, Boston, and Henderson (USA), before the ranking returns to Europe – with two consecutive Spanish cities.
Valladolid, in the centre-northern region of Castilla y León, reputed to be the place where the purest received Spanish is spoken, sits at 698 metres above sea level – just 41 metres higher up than Madrid, but enough to make its winter climate very northern European – is well-loved for its stately, classical architecture and Mediaeval religious monuments.
Sliced in two by the river Pisuerga – heavily populated by ducks and swans – Valladolid is a culture vulture's paradise where you'll find a splendid cathedral, the National Sculpture Museum, the Valladolid Science Museum, the elaborate and beautiful San Pablo convent church (prepare to be wowed by its intricate architecture), the Cervantes Museum (author of Don Quijote de la Mancha – still Spain's best-selling novel of all time), the elegant spires of the Santa María de la Antigua church, the peace and quiet among the fountains, trees and gardens of the Campo Grande Park, the élite and classical Plaza Mayor, and the Patio Herreriano Contemporary Art Museum.
And we've now learned that it's the 31st least-polluted city on earth, the ninth-least in Europe and second-least in Spain, with an annual reading of 7.3 and its highest, in the previous week, being 10.1.
Straight on the heels of Valladolid is the Costa del Sol provincial capital of Málaga, level-pegging on annual particle levels with the former at 7.3, its lowest being 4.8 (in the last hour) and highest reaching 11.5 (in the previous month).
As a sunshine destination, Málaga needs little introduction – neither does anywhere else along the coast of the province of the same name – being highly-acclaimed the world over for its vast array of trendy restaurants, bars, hotels, beaches, holiday apartments, golf courses, and its bustling, lively port area.
It's also a Mecca for shopaholics, including those with designer tastes, but in sharp contrast to its modern, cosmopolitan feel that makes it a staple for summer breaks among Spanish and international visitors, Málaga is steeped in history: The Alcazaba, or Arab Royal fortress, and the Gibralfaro citadel bear testimony to the splendour of the Middle Ages when the Moors and, later, Christian converts among them, ruled most of Spain, and the Renaissance cathedral with its unfinished towers is a majestic and detailed example of Golden Age brilliance.
Check out the classical Atarazanas indoor market building, the Roman theatre and amphitheatre – beautifully preserved and a strong candidate to rival Ephesus in Turkey and the Colisseum in the Italian capital – the Picasso museum, the Carmen Thyssen art museum, Málaga Film Festival, and an eclectic mix of other arts and heritage attractions.
Elsewhere in the province, as well as the coastal enclaves on Costa del Sol itself, day trips inland that are hugely popular include Ronda, with its formidable Puente Nuevo rock-bridge, and the municipality formerly known as the 'Smurf Village', Júzcar.
North and south
After Málaga comes the Canadian city of London (not the UK capital), and the Borough of Queens (USA), then Spain makes its fourth and final appearance.
It seems there's no north-south air-quality divide in the country, given that it has two metropolitan areas at either end of the mainland which are officially among the least-polluted on earth – slotting in at number 35 is the Basque port city of Bilbao.
Beating the US cities of Omaha, New Orleans and Brooklyn (at 36, 38 and 40) and the Canadian municipalities of Markham and Scarborough (37 and 39), the capital of the province of Vizcaya has long left behind its past life as a grim, grey industrial sprawl, morphing into a bright, modern, cosmopolitan tourism destination, lauded for its unique cuisine (tapas in the Basque Country are served on cocktail sticks and called pintxos) and its vibrant arts and entertainment scene.
Obviously, the first port of call for any Bilbao visitor is the iconic Guggenheim Museum, the brainchild of architect Frank Gehry, built 25 years ago on the riverbanks and immediately dividing residents into two camps; you either loved it or hated it, and were no more likely to be indifferent about it than you would about whether your tortilla should be served with or without onions.
A quarter of a century on, though, even those who thought it looked out of place as a futuristic, curvy, glass-and-titanium light-reflecting structure against an historic cityscape have now got used to its presence, and the Guggenheim has become the city's visual calling-card and stock symbol – in the same way the Eiffel Tower is for Paris or the Acropolis for Athens.
It's such a beauty to behold that you might even forget to actually go inside and view the seemingly endless spread of world-famous works of modern art, or get distracted stroking the ginormous statue of a dog covered in fresh flowers known, imaginatively, as Puppy.
Arachnophobes are pre-warned, though, that one of the signature massive sculptures outside the museum, known as Mamá ('Mum') and standing nine metres (26'3”) high is, in fact, a spider way too big to fit in anyone's bath. But it's not real, and just imagine how many flies a nine-metre spider could catch.
In sharp contrast, Bilbao's 'old town', the Casco Viejo, with its Santiago Cathedral, Arriaga Theatre, Plaza Nueva, 16th-century Begoña basilica, Gothic-style San Antón church, and its Art Deco-style La Ribera indoor market, is an historical gem with its classical architecture, elaborate balconies and brightly-painted rendering.
Head up to the Artxanda viewing point on the funicular train for a breathtaking panorama of the city against a backdrop of emerald-green mountains and sliced in two by the river; take a stroll along the tow-path of said river, and chill out in the very verdant and English-looking Doña Casilda Park, next to the Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes).
Whether to use its facilities or just to look at it, the Azkuna Zentroa or La Alhóndiga leisure and culture centre, an old wine warehouse completely refurbished by the globally-acclaimed designer Philippe Starck, with 43 squat columns in loud colours and patterns holding up three 'buildings-within-a-building', contains an eight-screen cinema, an exhibition hall, a gym, restaurants, several shops, and a disturbing but fascinating glass-bottomed swimming pool on the terrace, which is a rare – if unnerving – experience that you simply have to strike off your bucket list.
All of this is found in Spain's fourth, and Europe's 11th, least-polluted city.
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