(a)(i) Describe four classes of towns based on their functions. (ii) Give one example of each of the described in (a)( i) above. (b) Explain four ways in wh...

Answer Details

(a)(i) Four classes of towns based on their functions, with (ii) examples:

1. Administrative/capital towns: Their main function is government administration. Example - Abuja (Nigeria) or Washington D.C.
2. Industrial/manufacturing towns: Dominated by factories and manufacturing. Example - Aba or Kano (Nigeria); Detroit (USA).
3. Commercial/trading (port) towns: Centres of trade, banking and transport, often ports. Example - Lagos or Onitsha (Nigeria).
4. Mining towns: Grow around the extraction of minerals. Example - Jos (tin) or Enugu (coal) in Nigeria; Kitwe (Zambia).

(Other acceptable classes: educational towns e.g. Ibadan/Nsukka; religious towns e.g. Mecca; resort/tourist towns.)

(b) Ways in which rural and urban areas are interdependent:

1. Food supply: Rural areas supply food and agricultural raw materials to the urban areas, which depend on them for feeding.
2. Manufactured goods and services: Urban areas supply the rural areas with manufactured goods, machinery, medical and educational services.
3. Labour and market: Rural areas provide labour (migrants) to the towns, while the towns provide a market for rural produce.
4. Movement of ideas and capital: Urban centres channel money, technology and new ideas to rural areas, aiding rural development, while rural areas supply raw materials that sustain urban industry.