Megacity vs. Conurbation — What's the Difference?

A megacity is a very large city, typically with a population of more than 10 million people. Precise definitions vary: the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in its 2018 "World Urbanization Prospects" report counted urban agglomerations having over 10 million inhabitants.

A conurbation is a region comprising a number of metropolises, cities, large towns, and other urban areas that, through population growth and physical expansion, have merged to form one continuous urban or industrially developed area. In most cases, a conurbation is a polycentric urbanised area, in which transportation has developed to link areas to create a single urban labour market or travel to work area.Patrick Geddes coined the term in his book Cities In Evolution (1915).

A very large city; a megalopolis.

An extended urban area, typically consisting of several towns merging with the suburbs of a central city

A predominantly urban region including adjacent towns and suburbs; a metropolitan area.

A continuous aggregation of built-up urban communities created as a result of urban sprawl.

An aggregation or continuous network of urban communities