(a) Outline two characteristic features of each of the following: (i) Cornubation; (ii) Megapolis. (b) With specific examples, explain any six functions whi...

Answer Details

(a) Characteristic features:

(i) Conurbation:

• It is a large continuous built-up area formed when several once-separate towns grow and merge into one another.
• It has a very large population and a shared network of roads, transport and services, often without a single dominant centre. Example - the Greater London/West Midlands conurbation.

(ii) Megalopolis:

• It is a very large urban region formed by the merging of several conurbations and cities into an almost continuous chain of settlement.
• It covers an extensive area with an extremely large population and heavy interconnection of economic activities. Example - the Boston-to-Washington (BosWash) belt in the USA.

(b) Functions which settlements perform (with examples):

1. Administrative function: serving as centres of government. Example - Abuja.
2. Commercial/trade function: centres of buying, selling and banking. Example - Lagos, Onitsha.
3. Industrial function: centres of manufacturing. Example - Aba, Kano.
4. Educational function: centres of learning with schools and universities. Example - Ibadan, Nsukka.
5. Religious function: centres of worship and pilgrimage. Example - Mecca, Ile-Ife.
6. Residential/dormitory function: providing homes for people who work elsewhere. Example - suburban towns around big cities.

(Others: port, mining, resort/tourist and defence functions.)