Who among the following geographers is related to ‘primate city’ concept?
Mark Jefferson
Understanding the 'Primate City' Concept in Geography
The question asks to identify the geographer associated with the concept of the 'primate city'. This is a key concept in urban geography that describes a city that is significantly larger and more important than other cities in a country or region.
Identifying the Geographer
The concept of the 'primate city' was introduced and popularized by the American geographer Mark Jefferson in 1939. He observed that in many countries, the leading city is disproportionately large and dominant compared to the second-largest city and all others in the urban hierarchy.
A primate city is typically:
- Much larger than the second-largest city (often more than twice the population).
- The center of economic, political, and cultural life in the country.
- Often the capital city.
Examples often cited include Paris in France, London in the UK, or Bangkok in Thailand.
Examining Other Options
Let's briefly look at the geographers mentioned in the other options to understand their key contributions and confirm they are not primarily associated with the primate city concept:
- August Losch: Known for his work on economic landscapes and location theory, particularly regarding the spatial organization of businesses and consumers. His work is related to central place theory but focuses more on the profitability and spacing of economic activities.
- Griffith Taylor: A highly influential geographer known for his work in environmental determinism and later, possibilism, as well as his studies on racial geography and migration. While he contributed widely to geography, the primate city concept is not his primary association.
- W. Christaller: Famous for developing the Central Place Theory, which explains the spatial arrangement, size, and number of settlements (central places) based on their provision of goods and services to surrounding areas. His work deals with urban hierarchy but is distinct from the specific concept of a single dominant primate city.
Conclusion
Based on the origins and development of geographic concepts, the 'primate city' concept is directly linked to the work of Mark Jefferson.
Revision Table: Key Urban Geography Concepts and Geographers
Here is a quick summary related to the options provided:
| Geographer | Major Concept(s) | Related Field |
|---|---|---|
| Mark Jefferson | Primate City Concept | Urban Geography, Settlement Geography |
| W. Christaller | Central Place Theory | Urban Geography, Economic Geography |
| August Losch | Economic Landscapes, Location Theory | Economic Geography, Urban Geography |
| Griffith Taylor | Environmental Determinism/Possibilism, Racial Geography | Physical Geography, Human Geography |
Additional Information: Significance of Primate Cities
Primate cities play a significant role in the development and challenges of a country. On one hand, they can be engines of economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange, attracting talent and investment. On the other hand, they can lead to regional imbalances, concentrating wealth and opportunities while potentially leaving other regions underdeveloped. They often face issues related to congestion, housing shortages, infrastructure strain, and environmental pollution due to their rapid growth and large population concentration. Studying primate cities helps geographers and planners understand urban systems and regional disparities.
Important Questions from Famous People
Which Renaissance artist painted 'The Last Supper'?
Kenneth Kaunda, who died recently at the age of 97, was the former president of
Who among the following wrote the famous text ‘A Discourse on Political Economy’?
Economist Rebeca Grynspan, who recently became the first woman to be appointed as the head of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), hails from
Who among the following personalities is NOT a Governor of any Indian State?
