Urban settlements are typically classified based on their size, population, and the range of services they provide. The main types in a hierarchical order are:
- Town: A small urban area, larger than a village, that offers more specialized services.
- City: A large and densely populated urban area that serves as a center for commerce, industry, and culture.
- Metropolitan Area: A large city together with its suburbs and linked surrounding areas.
- Conurbation: A large, continuous urban area formed when several towns and cities merge. (e.g., the area from Manchester to Liverpool in the UK).
- Megalopolis: A massive chain of interconnected metropolitan areas or conurbations. (e.g., the Boston-Washington D.C. corridor in the USA).