Unit 6 Topic 4 Flashcards
What is a primary city? Name some characteristics.
A city that has twice the population of the next largest city.
This city most likely has significant political, economic, and social control over the rest of the country. This city has a variety of services and goods which other cities within the country may not have.
How do primate cities relate to devolution?
This is because of an inequality made within the many different cities of the country. The country’s success is dependent on this one primate city.
Examples of primate cities.
Seoul, Mexico City
What is the rank-size rule?
Says that the population of a settlement ranked n will be 1/nth of the size of the largest settlement. The second largest settlement will have half the population of the largest, the third will have one[third the population, and so on.
What is the equation for the rank-size rule?
Equation: pn = p1 / n
population of the city = population of the largest city divided by the rank size of the city
What are some examples of countries following the rank-size rule?
Canada, France, Brazil
Canada is the biggest example
What is the gravity model?
The smaller a city is, the less important and attractive it will be perceived as from other cities. The larger a city is, the more important and more attractive it will be perceived as from other cities.
What is the central place theory?
A theory that aims to explain the distribution, size, and number of settlements within a given area.
What are some CHARACTERISTICS of the central place theory?
-Says that settlements are located in a hierarchical pattern, with larger settlements serving as central places that provide goods and services to smaller settlements.
-The size and number of settlements are determined by the range and variety of goods available. This also includes transportation costs.
-People are more willing to travel longer distances for more exotic and unique experiences or things.
-Uses a hierarchy of cities, towns, market towns, and villages to show areas with the largest populations to areas with the smallest populations.
What are some assumptions the central place theory makes?
-There are no topographic barriers; physical features of the landscape
Ex: Mountains, rivers, valleys, roads, bridges, tunnels, etc.
-There are no differences in farm productivity.
Ex: Climate, fertileness, technology, practices, access, policies, etc.
-There is no difference in the dispersion of the rural population.
Ex: Physical geography, infrastructure, economic opportunities, culture, etc.
What is a threshold?
The minimum number of people that are required to support any good or service.
What is a range?
The maximum distance that a consumer is willing to travel for a certain good or service.
