All Flashcards
Explain the concept of the rank-size rule.
A city's population is inversely proportional to its rank; the largest city is roughly twice the size of the second, three times the third, and so on.
Explain the concept of a primate city.
The largest city in a country or region that is significantly larger and more influential than other cities.
What does the rank-size rule imply about the distribution of population in a country?
A more balanced distribution of population among cities of different sizes.
What does a primate city imply about resource distribution?
A concentration of resources and economic activity in one major city.
How does the rank-size rule relate to economic development?
Countries following the rank-size rule often have more balanced economic development across different regions.
How do primate cities impact economic development?
Primate cities can drive national economic growth but may also lead to regional disparities.
Why is understanding city size and distribution important?
It is crucial for planning and understanding regional dynamics, infrastructure, economic development, and population trends.
What factors influence city size and distribution?
Geography, transportation, economy, culture, and politics.
What are the key features of a primate city?
Economic, cultural, and political center with disproportionate influence.
What are some limitations of the rank-size rule?
It's not always accurate, ignores geography, infrastructure, and economic factors, doesn't account for changes over time, and is based on limited data.
What are the causes and effects of a country having a primate city?
Causes: historical factors, economic policies, infrastructure development. Effects: economic dominance, overcrowding, inequality.
What is the effect of primate cities on job opportunities?
Increased job opportunities due to economic concentration, but potential regional disparities.
What is the effect of primate cities on artistic trends?
Strong cultural influence and concentration of artistic innovation.
What are the effects of primate cities on transportation?
Primate cities become major transportation hubs, improving connectivity but also causing congestion.
What are the effects of overcrowding in primate cities?
Housing shortages, increased traffic congestion, and strain on infrastructure.
What causes social and economic inequality in primate cities?
Uneven distribution of resources and opportunities, leading to disparities between different areas.
What are the environmental effects of primate cities?
Increased pollution, waste generation, and strain on natural resources.
What is the effect of a country adhering to the rank-size rule on regional development?
More balanced regional development due to a wider distribution of population and economic activity.
What is the effect of a primate city on political influence?
Concentration of political power and policy influence in the primate city.
What is the effect of traffic congestion in primate cities?
Increased commute times, air pollution, and economic costs.
Define city size distribution.
The arrangement of cities in a region or country.
What is the rank-size rule?
A pattern where a city's population is inversely proportional to its rank.
Define a primate city.
The largest city in a country or region, significantly larger and more influential than others.
What is a regional primate city?
The dominant city in a region, even if not the national capital.
What is the formula for the Rank-Size Rule?
Population of nth city = (Population of largest city) / n
What is economic dominance (in the context of primate cities)?
The concentration of economic power and activity in a primate city.
Define cultural influence (in the context of primate cities).
The disproportionate impact of a primate city on a country's or region's culture and artistic trends.
What is political importance (in the context of primate cities)?
The concentration of political power and policy influence in a primate city.
What is meant by 'transportation hub' in reference to primate cities?
A primate city serving as a central point for transportation networks, facilitating movement of people and goods.
Define overcrowding as a disadvantage of primate cities.
Excessive population density leading to strain on resources and infrastructure.