Rural Service Centers in Southwestern Wisconsin and Southern England

Abstract

CtOMPARATIVE analysis of the distribution of rural service centers in southwestern Wisconsin' and southern England2 shows that the spatial patterns are alike. Though the two areas are unlike in population density, urbanization, and transportation and though there are profound differences in settlement history, two orders of service centers exist in both, spaced at about 2i-mile and 8or io-mile intervals. A third, and still lower, order, spaced at 4to 6-mile intervals, also appears in both areas. It is impossible to equate the functional importance of rural service centers in Wisconsin and England because of economic and cultural differences. Indeed, distinctive functional types of centers should exist in every major economic or cultural realm on the earth. But the similarities in distribution pattern in Wisconsin and England suggest that there are certain common spatial relationships in the hierarchy of rural service centers.