Spatial Structure of the Metropolitan Regions of Brazil

摘要

Using published census data, this paper describes the spatial structure of the eight metropolitan regions of Brazil during 1940-1980. The analysis shows that the experience of these regions is similar to what has been observed in the developed as well as some other developing countries. The growth of population and employment in these areas has been rapid but its speed has been associated with the size of the region. Both population and employment in large metropolitan regions have deconcentrated, while they have concentrated in the smaller regions. Employment is spatially more concentrated than is population. Large establishments in manufacturing tend to be located in the periphery of cities. The reverse trend is observed for commerce establishments. (Copyright (c) 1985, The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.)