- A metropolitan area is a region consisting of a central city and the surrounding suburbs and towns that are economically and socially connected.
- The U.S. Census Bureau defines a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) as a core urban area of at least 50,000 people, plus the surrounding counties that are economically tied to the core area.
- MSAs are often used to measure the economic and social well-being of a region.
Megalopolis
- A megalopolis is a very large metropolitan area that is formed by the merging of several large metropolitan areas.
- Megalopolises are typically found in highly developed countries and are characterized by high population density, economic activity, and infrastructure development.
- The term "megalopolis" was first used by French geographer Jean Gottmann in 1961 to describe the Boston-Washington, D.C., corridor in the United States.
Comparison
The main difference between a metropolitan area and a megalopolis is the size and scale of the region. Metropolitan areas are typically smaller and more focused on a central city, while megalopolises are larger and more spread out, with multiple major cities.
Here is a table summarizing the key differences between metropolitan areas and megalopolises:
| Feature | Metropolitan Area | Megalopolis |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Smaller, more focused on a central city | Larger, more spread out, with multiple major cities |
| Population density | Lower | Higher |
| Economic activity | Less diversified | More diversified |
| Infrastructure development | Less developed | More developed |
| Examples | New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, | Boston-Washington, D.C., corridor, Tokyo-Yokohama, Shanghai-Nanjing |
