Growth of Cities (College Board AP® Human Geography)

The site refers to the actual physical location of a city and describes its physical characteristics, such as:

• topography

  • Flat land or areas with fertile soil often facilitate city growth, but mountainous terrain can limit expansion

• water availability

  • Cities often develop near rivers, lakes, or coasts to support trade and transportation

• natural resources

  • How close a city is to resources like minerals, forests, or arable land can encourage urban development

• climate

  • Mild climates often attract larger populations

For example, New York City is located on the Hudson River, near the Atlantic Ocean, providing access to waterways for trade and transportation.

It is built on relatively flat land, making it suitable for urban expansion and development

The situation refers to the location of a city in relation to other cities and transportation routes

• It focuses on connections between locations

Key factors of situation include:

• proximity to transportation routes

  • Cities with access to roads, railroads, and ports often grow faster due to easier movement of goods and people

• regional and global connectivity

  • Cities in central locations often become trade hubs or cultural centers

• economic and political influence

  • Cities near political capitals tend to attract investment and migration

For example, New York City is located in the northeastern United States with access to multiple train and bus routes connecting it to nearby cities like Boston and Washington D.C.

• It is a prime location near a major harbor also makes it a significant trading port