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2 min read•june 1, 2020
Harrison Burnside
What To Know for 6.1:
Central Place Theory, Site vs. Situation, 2 Urban Settlement Theories, Rural vs. Urban Settlements
Walter Christaller, a German geographer, first developed the Central Place Theory to explain the reasons behind the distribution patterns, size, and number of cities or towns across the globe. This theory serves as the framework for both historical and locational patterns today. It also explains the identification of most profitable locations.
Hexagonal shapes
A series of hexagons, representing the vertices of equilateral triangles, evenly distribute the connection of consumers. The shape represents the assumption that consumers will visit the most nearby place offering a good. Thus, it is a good compromise between circles and squares.
The Theory Assumes that there are NO:
Topographic Barriers (mountains, river, etc.)
Differences in Farm Productivity
Different Dispersion of Rural Population
Source: Penn State Geography Department
Settlements originated in Mesopotamia: part of Fertile Crescent in Southwest Asia
Diffused West to Egypt, East to China, and to South India’s Indus Valley
Settlements originated independently in 4 hearths
Southwest Asia
Egypt
China
South India
Louis Wirth stated that the difference between rural and urban settlements depends on the density of human-created structures.
Rural Settlements:
Small Size
Low Density
Socially Homogeneous Populations
Urban Settlements:
Large Size
High Density
Socially Heterogeneous Populations
Site | Situation |
Absolute Location, A City's Physical Characteristics Chosen for Trade, Defense, or Religion, Geographic Surroundings of a City | Relative Location of a City, A City's "Role" in the System of the World |
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