QuestionMarch 9, 2026

2. Seven of the ten largest urban areas are in periphery and semiperiphery countries Explain two factors that contributed to the growth of megacities in these countries. 3. Estimate the typical ratio between the relationship in size between the entire urban areas and the main cities alone. What factors of political or physical geography might explain the variations in ratios?

2. Seven of the ten largest urban areas are in periphery and semiperiphery countries Explain two factors that contributed to the growth of megacities in these countries. 3. Estimate the typical ratio between the relationship in size between the entire urban areas and the main cities alone. What factors of political or physical geography might explain the variations in ratios?
2. Seven of the ten largest urban areas are in periphery and
semiperiphery countries Explain two factors that
contributed to the growth of megacities in these countries.
3. Estimate the typical ratio between the relationship in size
between the entire urban areas and the main cities alone.
What factors of political or physical geography might
explain the variations in ratios?

Solution
4.5(142 votes)

Answer

Factors: (1) Rural-to-urban migration, (2) High natural population growth. ### Typical ratio: ~1.4–2.5. ### Variation causes: Centralization of governance, and physical geography constraints or advantages. Explanation 1. Identify two key growth factors for megacities in periphery and semiperiphery countries 1) Rural-to-urban migration: Driven by search for jobs, education, and healthcare, often due to industrialization and urban concentration of economic activities. 2) High natural population growth: Many such countries have higher birth rates, increasing urban populations rapidly. 2. Estimate typical ratio of entire urban areas to main cities In many cases, main cities hold about 40–70% of the urban area population; typical ratio is roughly 1.4 to 2.5 when comparing entire urban area to main city alone. 3. Factors explaining ratio variations Political: Strong centralization vs. balanced urban policies affect concentration in main cities. Physical geography: Presence of multiple viable settlement locations vs. constraints (mountains, rivers, deserts) can cause uneven urban distribution.

Explanation

1. Identify two key growth factors for megacities in periphery and semiperiphery countries <br /> 1) Rural-to-urban migration: Driven by search for jobs, education, and healthcare, often due to industrialization and urban concentration of economic activities. <br /> 2) High natural population growth: Many such countries have higher birth rates, increasing urban populations rapidly. <br /><br />2. Estimate typical ratio of entire urban areas to main cities <br /> In many cases, main cities hold about 40–70% of the urban area population; typical ratio is roughly 1.4 to 2.5 when comparing entire urban area to main city alone. <br /><br />3. Factors explaining ratio variations <br /> Political: Strong centralization vs. balanced urban policies affect concentration in main cities. <br /> Physical geography: Presence of multiple viable settlement locations vs. constraints (mountains, rivers, deserts) can cause uneven urban distribution.
Click to rate: