AP Human Geography : Models of International Cities

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Cities & Urban Land Use

__________ is the most populous city in Africa.

Possible Answers:

Nairobi 

Lagos

Durban

Dakar 

Cape Town

Correct answer:

Lagos

Explanation:

Lagos is the capital city of Nigeria and is by far the most populous city in Africa. More than ten million people live within the city of Lagos, and an additional ten million live within the metropolitan area of Lagos. The next most populous cities in Africa are Cairo, in Egypt, and Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Example Question #1 : Models Of International Cities

Which of these best defines gateway cities?

Possible Answers:

Cities that have advanced research facilitators and well-regarded educational institutions

Cities that serve as economic facilitators to a large region

Cities that have a disproportionate cultural impact on their surrounding region

None of these answers are accurate.

Cities that act as ports of entrance for migrants

Correct answer:

Cities that act as ports of entrance for migrants

Explanation:

A “gateway city” is a city that serves as a port of entrance for migrants arriving in a country or a large geographic region. Cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Rio de Janeiro are classic examples of gateway cities.

Example Question #2 : Models Of International Cities

Which of these is an example of a gateway city?

Possible Answers:

San Francisco

Ottawa

Madrid

Atlanta

Birmingham

Correct answer:

San Francisco

Explanation:

In human geography the term “gateway city” refers to a city that acts as a port of entry into a country or a large geographic region. San Francisco with its natural harbor and immigrant population, often referred to as the “gateway to the west,” is a classic example of a gateway city.

Example Question #21 : Cities & Urban Land Use

Which of these is a classic example of an Islamic city?

Possible Answers:

Medina

Barcelona

Venice

Tblisi

Sofia

Correct answer:

Medina

Explanation:

Medina is a prominent city in Saudi Arabia and, with its mosques, open-air markets, and prominent courtyards. As such, Medina is a classic example of an “Islamic city” from religious, cultural, and aesthetic perspectives. Sofia is in Bulgaria; Venice is in Italy; Barcelona is in Spain; Tblisi is in Georgia.

Example Question #3 : Models Of International Cities

All of the following are second-tier world cities except __________.

Possible Answers:

Brussels

London

Mumbai

Los Angeles

Moscow

Correct answer:

London

Explanation:

London, Tokyo, and New York City are the only cities in the world that are considered to be first-tier world cities. This means they are global centers of culture, economics, and politics that have a disproportionately massive influence on the global population. Capital cities and economic centers like Moscow, Brussels, Mumbai, Los Angeles, and many others are considered to be “second-tier world cities.”

Example Question #11 : Models Of City Structure & Urban Development

Which of these is a prominent feature of a Medieval City?

Possible Answers:

High, defensive walls

None of these are features of Medieval cities.

Narrow streets and buildings

All of these are features of Medieval cities.

Cathedrals and ostentatious churches

Correct answer:

All of these are features of Medieval cities.

Explanation:

Many cities first began to take shape in the late Medieval period. These cities, common throughout Europe and parts of the rest of the world, are characterized by their narrow, winding streets and looming, intimate buildings. They generally have some defensive fortifications and cathedrals and ostentatious churches dotting the landscape.

Example Question #11 : Models Of City Structure & Urban Development

Which of the following is best defined as a city with distinctive segments divided up for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes—with a central business district?

Possible Answers:

Medieval European city

Colonial Latin American city

Medieval East Asian city

Medieval Islamic city

Colonial southeast Asian city

Correct answer:

Colonial Latin American city

Explanation:

A classic feature of a colonial Latin American city is that it has distinct segments divided up for residential, commercial, and industrial purposes. It typically has a central business district from which all other parts of the city radiate out.

Example Question #1 : Models Of International Cities

__________ is the most populous city in Europe.

Possible Answers:

Munich

Paris

Madrid

Istanbul

London

Correct answer:

Istanbul

Explanation:

Istanbul, the capital of Turkey and an ancient and significant city, is the most populous city in Europe. Istanbul actually lies at the boundary between Europe and Asia, but the city itself is considered European. There are more than fourteen million people living within the city limits of Istanbul, compared with twelve million in Moscow, 8.5 in London, 2 million in Paris, 3.1 million in Madrid, and 1.4 in Munich.

Example Question #13 : Models Of City Structure & Urban Development

Which of these is a prominent feature of Islamic cities?

Possible Answers:

Skyscrapers

Public baths

A busy and vibrant open-air market

A crowded and cosmopolitan downtown area

All of these answers are correct

Correct answer:

A busy and vibrant open-air market

Explanation:

“Islamic cities” are considered as a distinct category of city within the study of human geography. Typically Islamic cities arose in places with warm climates and fairly little rainfall so they tend to be painted white (to reflect sunlight) and have facilities to recycle rainwater. They also typically contain vibrant open-air markets and picturesque mosques.

Example Question #7 : Models Of International Cities

Which of these is not a well-known model used to depict the spatial layout of urban environments?

Possible Answers:

Inside-Outside Model

Sector Model

Multiple-Nuclei Model

Concentric Zone Model

All of these answers are well-known models used to depict the spatial layout of urban environments.

Correct answer:

Inside-Outside Model

Explanation:

All of these answer choices are models used to depict the spatial layout of urban environments except the Inside-Outside Model.

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