Cities are ecosystems for businesses and innovation. The strength of an urban center’s network of businesses, the talent of its citizenry, the stability of political institutions, and the creativity of cultural organizations all contribute to an environment in which existing businesses flourish and new businesses are born. So what are the best cities?

A.T. Kearney’s Global Cities has been collecting data on these and other factors for the world’s most important cities since 2008. This 2017 Global Cities report, the seventh edition, testifies to the continued strength of many of the world’s largest cities in these domains. Identifying New York City as this year’s leading metropolitan area, this report also makes projections about cities’ potential, finding that San Francisco is best positioned to attract and retain global capital, people, and ideas in the coming years. Furthermore, a focus on entrepreneurship and innovation this year has led to the development of four pathways that cities of all kinds can use to foster start-up ecosystems and achieve greater success.

Global Cities 2017 includes the Global Cities Index, which examines cities’ performance, and the Global Cities Outlook, which evaluates their potential. Together, the Index and Outlook present a unique lens on the world’s largest and most influential cities and those primed to make a strong impact.

Here’s some more color which will add some more clarity on these cities and why they’re the best.