EGT: City Analysis

Analysis of Naples

            Naples is near the top of the hierarchy of Central Places and it is the third largest city in Italy by population (1,046,987). Naples is in the same category of Central Places as Milan and Turin, the second and fourth largest Italian cities respectively. These three cities have populations around 1,000,000. While this population is low compared to other Regional Metropolises, in Italy, Naples is considered to a Regional Metropolis. The largest city in Italy is Rome, which sits at the top of the Central Place hierarchy as a National Metropolis. Although it’s population of 2,648,843, is smaller than that of other National Metropolises such as London and Chicago (around 9 or 10 million each), it is still one of the largest cities in all of Europe. Lower on the Central Place hierarchy are Regional Cities such as Genoa with a population of 655,704, and Small Cities such as Trieste with a population of 222,589.

           

            As a Regional Metropolis, Naples has more has many advantages over Regional and Small cities. For example, there is a complete international airport in Naples, which the smaller cities do not have. This airport is efficiently used in Naples due to the large population. Naples also has more hospital than the smaller cities. In addition, compared to smaller cities, Naples has many more tourist attraction such as its proximity to Mt. Vesuvius, and Pompeii, the National Archaeological Museum, and the fact that it is the birthplace of Pizza.  Also Naples is home to one of the largest shipping ports in Italy, and and has a very prevalent waterfront, which is unavailable in most Italian cities. However, Rome is the largest city in Italy, and while it cannot match some of these historical aspects, Rome has more to offer than any other city in Italy. While Rome is not the biggest industry or shopping city in Italy (Milan is the biggest for both), it still has more to offer. In addition to having a larger population, more hospital, and more airports than other cities in Italy, Rome is also home to the Italian government, and is where the largest courts are located. In addition, the historical importance of Rome is part of what makes it so special. Rome was the heart of the Roman Empire and signs can still be seen everywhere, and this is part of the reason that Rome grew so quickly. In addition, Rome is also home to many sports teams, and the Coliseum, which are also only unique to Rome. Also, while Milan has population similar to that of Naples it is a bigger Regional Metropolis due to its many sports teams, and since it is the financial an industrial capital of Italy.