Which of the following explains urban hierarchy? (1 point)

a way to rank the greatest ancient cities
a way of ordering cities with the largest populations
a way of ordering cities to their surrounding market
a way to measure the longevity of a city

a way of ordering cities to their surrounding market

The correct answer is:

- a way of ordering cities to their surrounding market.

To determine which of the following options explains urban hierarchy, let's break down the meanings of each choice:

1. "A way to rank the greatest ancient cities" - This option suggests ranking cities based on their historical significance or cultural importance. While historically important cities may be part of urban hierarchy, it does not fully encompass the concept.

2. "A way of ordering cities with the largest populations" - This option implies arranging cities according to their population size. Urban hierarchy does consider the population but it also incorporates other factors.

3. "A way of ordering cities to their surrounding market" - This option refers to organizing cities based on their connection and relationship with the surrounding areas, specifically as it relates to economic factors. While this is a relevant consideration, it does not fully encompass urban hierarchy either.

4. "A way to measure the longevity of a city" - This option suggests evaluating the duration of a city's existence. While longevity might be a component of urban hierarchy to some extent, it does not solely define it.

Based on these explanations, the option that best describes urban hierarchy is "a way of ordering cities with the largest populations." However, it is important to note that urban hierarchy also considers other factors such as economic activity, political influence, infrastructure, and cultural significance. Hence, it is a comprehensive concept that goes beyond population size alone.