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Examine this diagram, which refers to Christaller's Central Place Theory - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 1 - 2008
Question 1
Examine this diagram, which refers to Christaller's Central Place Theory. Explain what you understand by this Theory.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Examine this diagram, which refers to Christaller's Central Place Theory - Leaving Cert Geography - Question 1 - 2008
Step 1
Describe Central Place Theory
Answer
Central Place Theory, proposed by Walter Christaller in 1933, seeks to explain the size and distribution of human settlements. The theory suggests that cities, towns, and villages act as 'central places' which provide services to surrounding areas. It operates on the premise that consumers will travel to the nearest central place for goods and services, creating a hierarchical system of settlements based on their size and functions.
Step 2
Examine the Hierarchical Structure
Answer
According to Christaller, settlements are organized in a hierarchy based on their service availability. Larger cities provide more specialized services (like hospitals or universities) and are spaced further apart, while smaller towns and villages provide basic services (like grocery stores). This tiered structure helps optimize service delivery across different regions.
Step 3
Discuss the Hexagonal Market Areas
Answer
The diagram illustrates hexagonal market areas, representing how central places serve surrounding regions. This design minimizes overlap in service areas as circular service areas would leave gaps, while squares would not efficiently cover the space. The hexagon shape thus allows for complete coverage without any unused areas.
Step 4
Identify Types of Settlements in the Diagram
Answer
In the provided diagram, different types of settlements are indicated: cities (red circles), towns (orange circles), market towns (orange with a blue outline), and villages (blue dots). Each type serves a specific role within the Central Place Theory, with cities being the largest and offering the most services.
Step 5
Provide Real-World Examples
Answer
In real-world application, cities such as London serve as central places for the surrounding towns and villages in the Southeast of England. Each level within the hierarchy illustrates how proximity influences consumer choice, where smaller towns rely on the larger city for specialized services not available locally.