Step 1 : Understanding the Question
The question examines the historical and linguistic origins of the term "Megalopolis," a key concept in urban geography. It requires us to verify two specific claims: first, the etymological meaning of the word from its Greek roots, and second, the historical accuracy regarding who popularized the term and in what year. This concept is essential for understanding massive urban sprawls where multiple metropolitan areas merge into one continuous landscape.
Step 2 : Detailed Explanation
Etymological Root of Megalopolis: Statement I claims the word is Greek. Analyzing the word reveals it consists of two parts: "Megalo," which translates to great, large, or massive, and "Polis," which means a city-state or settlement. Thus, the literal translation is indeed "Great City." Statement I is correct.
Modern Geographical Application: While the word existed in antiquity, it was reintroduced into modern geography to describe a new phenomenon of urban expansion. The French geographer Jean Gottmann is credited with this.
Historical Context of Jean Gottmann: In 1957, Gottmann published his groundbreaking study on the northeastern seaboard of the United States. He used "Megalopolis" to describe the continuous urban strip stretching from Boston to Washington (the BosWash corridor). Statement II is correct.
Defining the Concept: A Megalopolis is not just one large city, but a "super-city" consisting of interconnected metropolitan regions. It represents the highest stage of urban development where the rural-urban divide virtually disappears between cities.
Summary of Accuracy: Both the linguistic translation provided in the first statement and the historical attribution provided in the second statement are factually correct according to standard geographic texts.
Step 3 : Final Answer
Because Statement I correctly translates the Greek roots and Statement II accurately identifies Jean Gottmann's 1957 contribution, the correct option is A.