To access the other concept sheets in the Metropolis unit, check out the See Also section.
Metropolises result from the development of cities through urbanization. A metropolis is, above all, a city that grows bigger and bigger over time, leading to a high concentration of activities, services and people. This gives metropolises a greater power of influence over the surrounding cities and region.
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Concentration refers to a grouping of several elements on the same territory.
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Urbanization refers to population growth and development of an urban territory.
This photograph of the neighbourhood of Manhattan shows how the metropolis has adapted to host many inhabitants and activities on its territory.
Source: THONGCHAI.S, Shutterstock.com
A city can attain the status of a metropolis when it develops. However, it can also lose that status if it loses its large concentration of economic activities and inhabitants or if another city develops a greater power of attraction.
In the time of New France, Quebec City was the most important city in the colony. Over time, Montreal grew to be bigger and surpassed Quebec City in terms of population and economic activities. Montreal is Quebec’s current economic centre. It has a higher concentration of population and greater power of influence. Even though Quebec City is the province’s capital, Montreal has more influential core.
Source: Firefighter Montreal, Shutterstock.com
To find out more about what defines a metropolis, check out the concept sheets The Characteristics of a Metropolis and The Planning and Development of a Metropolis.
The word metropolis has several meanings. In history, a metropolis refers to a country that possesses and administers colonies, that is, exploits territories beyond its own borders. However, in geography, a metropolis refers to a city with a high concentration of people, powers, activities and services.
Every metropolis is faced with issues. Several are related to the fact that a metropolis clusters large numbers of people and numerous economic activities on a limited territory. This can result in problems related to:
The case study of Montreal is very useful to better understand what a metropolis is and the issues it faces, using concrete examples. Four other examples may also be used in class, namely, Mexico City, Cairo, New York and Sydney.
To access the rest of the unit, you can consult the following concept sheets.
Source des données pour la carte La localisation de quelques métropoles dans le monde
The World Factbook. (2022, 23 mai). Congo, Democratic Republic of the. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/congo-democratic-republic-of-the/#people-and-society
The World Factbook. (2022, 23 mai). Egypt. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/egypt/
The World Factbook. (2022, 19 mai). United States. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-states/
The World Factbook. (2022, 19 mai). Mexico. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/mexico/
The World Factbook. (2022, 23 mai). Brazil. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/brazil/
The World Factbook. (2022, 20 mai). China. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/china/
The World Factbook. (2022, 24 mai). India. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/india/
The World Factbook. (2022, 20 mai). Canada. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/canada/
The World Factbook. (2022, 23 mai). Japan. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/japan/
The World Factbook. (2022, 23 mai). Australia. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/australia/
The World Factbook. (2022, 20 mai). United Kingdom. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/united-kingdom/
The World Factbook. (2022, 24 mai). Indonesia. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/indonesia/
The World Factbook. (2022, 20 mai). Nigeria. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/nigeria/
The World Factbook. (2022, 25 mai). Russia. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/russia/
The World Factbook. (2022, 23 mai). Peru. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/peru/
The World Factbook. (2022, 23 mai). France. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/france/