Is Chicago's (and metropolitan Chicago's) domination of its own state, Illinois, the greatest such city-dominating-state relationship in the United States?
I would think the answer is "yes". Why?
• New York City, for all its size, is part of New York State...with its sizable Buffalo metro and cities such as Syracuse, Rochester, Albany,etc. In addition, such natural scenery as Niagara, the Catskills, Hudson River Valley, Adorondacks are a huge part of the state.
• Meanwhile, in comparison, downstate IL has no major cities and is evocative of little other than corn country (may I note that in a fairer world, it would be noted for more).
• Other huge cities (LA, Houston, Philly) are in states with other major metros (i.e. SF, Dallas, Pgh)
• Cities like Baltimore, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Seattle, etc., may be the only major metros in their states, but they are not the dominating global city that Chicago is.
Meanwhile, as downstate loses population and metro Chicago continues to see an immigrant based growth in population, power in this state more and more becomes centered in the big city and its suburbs.
There may be similiar relationships in the US, but IMHO, Chicago's domination of Illinois would have to #1 if such a ranking were able to be ascertained.> |
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