6.4 The Size and Distribution

The cities in Bangladesh does not follow the rank size rule because according to this rule, the population of a city is inversely proportional to its rank in the urban hierarchy. Thus the second-largest city will have roughly half the population of the largest city, the third-largest city will have a third of the population, and so on. The cities in Bangladesh goes from the largest being  21 million (Dhaka) to the second largest being 2.5 million (Chittagong) which is not even close to half.

High order services

Specialized Healthcare: Dhaka hosts several specialized hospitals and medical centers offering advanced healthcare services such as cardiac care, cancer treatment, and organ transplantation. For example, Apollo Hospitals Dhaka and United Hospital Limited provide specialized medical services, attracting patients from across the country.

Higher Education Institutions: Dhaka is home to prestigious universities and educational institutions offering higher education in various fields. Examples include the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), and North South University. These institutions offer diverse academic programs and research opportunities, catering to students from Bangladesh and beyond.

Financial Services: Dhaka houses the headquarters of major banks, financial institutions, and stock exchanges, providing a wide range of financial services. The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) is one of the largest stock exchanges in South Asia, facilitating trading activities and investment opportunities for individuals and businesses.

Low order services

Public Transportation: Rickshaw services, local buses, and auto-rickshaws offer affordable and accessible transportation options for short-distance travel within the city.

Personal Services: Small businesses such as barber shops, beauty salons, and laundry services cater to personal grooming and hygiene needs. For example, local barber shops and beauty parlors in Khulna's neighborhoods serve the day-to-day needs of residents.

Retail Shops: Small retail shops and convenience stores sell everyday items such as clothing, stationery, and household goods. These are scattered throughout residential areas, making it easy for residents to access basic goods.

Dhaka is a great example of a primate city in Bangladesh. A primate city is a city that serves as by far the biggest city in the country that it inhabits. It's population is exponentially greater than the population of the next largest city in that country.

the Gravity Model helps explain the distribution of population, economic activities, and social interactions among cities in Bangladesh. Larger cities like Dhaka and Chittagong exert significant gravitational pull due to their population size and economic importance, while smaller cities like Khulna and Rajshahi play important regional roles based on their specific industries and functions.