GCEGeographySettlement2024

In urban geography, the term 'sphere of influence' of a settlement refers to

Athe political authority exercised by the local government council over its territory
Bthe surrounding area from which a settlement draws its population and to which it provides goods and servicesCORRECT
Cthe zone within a city that is reserved exclusively for industrial activities
Dthe distance a commuter travels daily from the suburbs to the city centre
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Why the answer is B, and why the others tempt you.
The sphere of influence, also called the hinterland or umland, is the area surrounding a settlement that depends on it for goods, services, employment, and other functions. Larger settlements generally have wider spheres of influence because they offer higher-order services that attract people from greater distances. Mapping the sphere of influence helps planners understand the functional reach of a settlement.
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