The largest settlement in a country that has more than twice as many people as the second-largest is called?

The largest settlement in a country that has more than twice as many people as the second-largest is called?

• A. Rank-size rule
• B. World city
• C. Primate city
• D. Annexation

Answer: (C)

This question centers on urban primacy—the idea that in some countries one city dominates the urban system because it is disproportionately large compared to others. A primate city is defined as the largest settlement whose population is more than twice that of the country’s second-largest city. That sharp size gap signals a concentration of political power, economic activity, and services in that single city, often shaping national development patterns and regional balance. So why is this the best fit? Because the criterion given—the largest city being more than twice as large as the second-largest—matches exactly the defining feature of a primate city. It highlights a dramatic concentration of urban importance in one place, unlike other concepts described by the other options. The rank-size rule describes a predictable distribution of city sizes, not a single city that dominates; a world city refers to a global influence network rather than population hierarchy; annexation is a political process of adding territory. This makes primate city the correct term for the scenario. An example often cited is Mexico City, which has been far larger than its next-largest city, illustrating strong urban primacy.

This question centers on urban primacy—the idea that in some countries one city dominates the urban system because it is disproportionately large compared to others. A primate city is defined as the largest settlement whose population is more than twice that of the country’s second-largest city. That sharp size gap signals a concentration of political power, economic activity, and services in that single city, often shaping national development patterns and regional balance.

So why is this the best fit? Because the criterion given—the largest city being more than twice as large as the second-largest—matches exactly the defining feature of a primate city. It highlights a dramatic concentration of urban importance in one place, unlike other concepts described by the other options. The rank-size rule describes a predictable distribution of city sizes, not a single city that dominates; a world city refers to a global influence network rather than population hierarchy; annexation is a political process of adding territory. This makes primate city the correct term for the scenario. An example often cited is Mexico City, which has been far larger than its next-largest city, illustrating strong urban primacy.