What is meant by the term "megalopolis"?

The term "megalopolis" refers to a large urban area characterized by the integration of multiple cities and their suburbs into a continuous, expansive region. This concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of cities, showcasing how population growth and urban expansion can lead to a sprawling metropolitan area where the boundaries between individual cities become blurred.

Megalopolises are important in geography as they illustrate patterns of urbanization, economic activity, and social organization. For example, the Northeast Corridor in the United States, which includes cities like Boston, New York, and Washington D.C., serves as a prime example of a megalopolis, where urban infrastructure and transportation networks connect these major urban centers.

In contrast, the other terms listed do not capture the essence of a megalopolis. A densely populated rural area is quite the opposite of what a megalopolis embodies, as it suggests lower population density and area. A significant agricultural region does not pertain to urban areas and their characteristics. Meanwhile, a type of suburban development typically refers to housing or commercial clusters outside urban cores, rather than the larger, integrated urban phenomena represented by a megalopolis.