Which of the following regarding gateway city is/are correct? 1. City whose physical location makes it a link between one country and others, or between one region and others 2. A gateway city exercises control over a large area because it commands the entry and exit rights and powers for a particular country or region 3. Most gateway cities are ports, many of which were formerly adminis- trative centres for a colonial government.

A gateway city is defined by its physical situation, serving as a vital link between one country or region and others. These cities act as primary entry and exit points for trade, migration, and cultural exchange. Because they command these entry and exit rights, they exercise significant control over large geographic areas or hinterlands. Historically and functionally, most gateway cities are ports or harbours, as these are the chief gateways for international trade. Many of these cities, particularly in the Global South, were formerly administrative centres for colonial governments, serving as the primary nodes for resource extraction and political control [1]. For example, cities like Singapore and Rotterdam serve as entrepots, facilitating the redistribution of goods across entire regions. Thus, all three statements accurately describe the characteristics and functions of gateway cities.

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: International Trade > Ports > p. 75