What is a city called that is at least twice the size of the second largest city in the same country?

A city that is at least twice the size of the second largest city in the same country is referred to as a primate city. This term highlights the dominance of the largest city in terms of population and economic activity within a nation. A primate city serves as a central hub for political, economic, and cultural activities, significantly overshadowing other cities in the country.

This characteristic makes primate cities unique, as they often reflect the urban hierarchy where one city stands out in size and influence, representing a disproportionate share of the country’s resources and services. This can lead to concentrated development and sometimes challenges such as overpopulation and urban sprawl.

In contrast, while a capital city is often significant, not all capital cities fit the criteria of being twice the size of the next largest city, thus not necessarily aligning with the definition of a primate city. Megacity refers to cities with populations exceeding 10 million, which isn’t directly related to size comparisons with other cities within the same nation. A suburban city typically describes residential areas on the outskirts of a major city, lacking the dominance implied in the definition of a primate city.