(a) Highlight any four characteristics of urban centres. (b) Explain four ways in which urban centres depend on their surrounding rural areas. (c) Describe ...

(a) Four characteristics of urban centres

1. High population size and density: large numbers of people living closely together.
2. Non-agricultural occupations: most inhabitants work in industry, commerce, administration and services rather than farming.
3. Presence of infrastructure and social amenities: good roads, electricity, pipe-borne water, hospitals, banks and schools.
4. Complex functions and land use: distinct commercial, industrial, residential and administrative zones with high-rise buildings.

(b) Four ways urban centres depend on surrounding rural areas

1. Food supply: the rural areas produce foodstuffs and livestock that feed the urban population.
2. Raw materials: agricultural and mineral raw materials from rural areas feed urban industries.
3. Labour supply: rural migrants provide much of the cheap labour used in urban factories and services.
4. Market for goods: rural people buy manufactured goods and services produced in the town.

(Also: rural areas supply water, fuelwood and land for urban expansion, waste disposal and recreation.)

(c) Three problems facing rural areas

1. Poor social amenities: lack of good roads, electricity, hospitals and pipe-borne water.
2. Out-migration of youths: loss of the active labour force to towns, leaving the aged behind.
3. Low income and unemployment: dependence on subsistence farming with poor returns and few job opportunities.