Ch. 13.6 Defining Urban Settlements
Urban growth causes adjacent metropolitan areas to overlap.
Legal definition of city
The term "city" defines an urban settlement that has been legally incorporated into an independent, self-governing unit. In the United States, a city surrounded by suburbs is called a central city.
Metropolitan statistical area
The metropolitan statistical area (MSA) includes three of the following:
1. An unurbanized area of at least 50,000 inhabatints.
2. The country that the city is located.
3. Adjacent countries with a high population density and a large percentage of residents working in the central city's country.
Examples:
City
This is the Empire State Building. It is located in New York City, New York. New York City is an example of a city.
City
This city is Sydney. It is located in Australia.
Metropolitan statistical area
This is an example of a Metropolitan statistical area.
And now, a video on the definition of city.
Sharon Ann Holt on the Definition of a City