One city dominates: Country K's urban hierarchy

Question 2: one stimulusAbout 25 minutes · 7 points

Country K, a former colony, gained independence in the mid-1900s. Its capital, a port built by the colonial power, is also its main center of government, trade and industry. The table shows the populations of Country K's five largest cities and the populations the rank-size rule would predict for them.

Table of the five largest cities of Country K in 2025, with their populations and the populations predicted by the rank-size rule. 1, Capital: 6,400,000, predicted 6,400,000. 2, Delta City: 1,100,000, predicted 3,200,000. 3, Lake City: 800,000, predicted 2,133,333. 4, Hill City: 600,000, predicted 1,600,000. 5, River City: 500,000, predicted 1,280,000.
Rank	City	Population, 2025	Predicted by rank-size rule
1	Capital	6,400,000	6,400,000
2	Delta City	1,100,000	3,200,000
3	Lake City	800,000	2,133,333
4	Hill City	600,000	1,600,000
5	River City	500,000	1,280,000

(A) Using the data in the table, identify how many times larger the capital's population is than that of the second-largest city, to the nearest whole number. 1 point

(B) Using the data in the table, describe how the sizes of Country K's cities differ from the pattern predicted by the rank-size rule. 1 point

(D) Explain one reason a former colony may have one city that is far larger than any other. 1 point

(E) Describe one challenge a capital city may face as a result of rapid population growth. 1 point

(F) Explain how the dominance of the capital may affect economic development in the rest of Country K. 1 point

(G) Explain one limitation of using population data alone to judge a city's importance in an urban hierarchy. 1 point