Legal Definitions - megalopolis

A megalopolis describes an exceptionally large and densely populated urban region that forms when several major cities and their surrounding towns expand and grow together, creating a continuous, sprawling expanse of developed land. It represents a vast urban system where distinct metropolitan areas have merged into a single, interconnected urbanized zone.

• Example 1: The Northeast Corridor (United States)

  The urbanized area stretching from Boston, Massachusetts, down through New York City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Baltimore, Maryland, and ending in Washington D.C., is a classic example of a megalopolis. While each city maintains its individual character and governance, the continuous development, extensive infrastructure (like highways and rail networks), and high population density across this hundreds-of-miles-long corridor illustrate how numerous separate urban centers have coalesced into one massive, integrated urban system.

• Example 2: The Tokaido Megalopolis (Japan)

  Along Japan's Pacific coast, the region encompassing Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, and Kyoto, along with many other cities and towns, forms a prominent megalopolis. This corridor demonstrates how a chain of major metropolitan areas has expanded to create an almost unbroken urban landscape. The high-speed rail (Shinkansen) connecting these cities further highlights the continuous and integrated nature of this vast urbanized region, where economic and social activities flow seamlessly across what were once distinct urban boundaries.