A metropolitan area is a large population center consisting of a large city and its adjacent zone of influence, or of several neighboring cities or towns and adjoining areas, with one or more large cities serving as its hub or hubs.

A metropolitan area usually combines an agglomeration (the contiguous built-up area) with peripheral zones not themselves necessarily urban in character, but closely bound to the centre by employment or commerce; these zones are also sometimes known as a commuter belt, and may extend well beyond the urban periphery depending on the definition used.

The core cities in a polycentric metropolitan area need not be physically connected by continuous built-up development, distinguishing the concept from conurbation, which requires urban contiguity. In a metropolitan area, it is sufficient that central cities together constitute a large population nucleus with which other constituent parts have a high degree of integration.

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Inquirer front page

Jousting over jobs
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:01:00 -0000
DURYEA, Pa. - Appearing before Pennsylvania voters again, Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate yesterday blamed the Bush administration for the sluggish economy and criticized the Republican Party for not addressing the issue in greater detail at its convention.
Tropical Storm Hanna likely to hit region today with rain, winds
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:01:00 -0000
Tropical Storm Hanna is threatening the region with up to two months' worth of rain and gale-force winds today, and widespread power outages and road flooding appear to be all but a certainty.
Pa. dentist charged with dumping medical waste
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:01:00 -0000
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. - New Jersey authorities have charged a Main Line dentist with illegally dumping needles and other medical waste that washed up on Avalon beaches, forcing a spate of closures.
Jobless: The rate climbs to 6.1 pct., a five-year high. 84,000 jobs were lost in August.
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:01:00 -0000
No need to tell Gilberto Ramos yesterday's depressing statistics about the job market. "I'm a little upset now, because I'm actually experiencing it," said Ramos, 44, of South Philadelphia.
Republicans: McCain and Palin cite tough times, vow "change is coming."
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:01:00 -0000
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - John McCain and Sarah Palin kicked off the final two months of the presidential campaign to cheers from big crowds as they stressed themes of a strong America and concern about the sinking economy.
Disability advocates see Palin as a leader
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:01:00 -0000
Jennifer Bonawitz cried when she saw baby Trig cuddled in his sister's lap as his mother took the stage Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention.

Today's Tribune-Review

Quarless dressed for Penn State game
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:49:06 -0400
Tight end Andrew Quarless, one of three Penn State players that Joe Paterno had announced earlier this week would be suspended for today's game with Oregon State, was dressed and participated in pregame warmups today.
Friday night's football scores
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:06:37 -0400
Among the winners are Apollo Ridge, Deer Lakes, Ford City, Keystone Oaks, Quaker Valley, East Allegheny, Greensburg Central Catholic, Aliquippa, Beaver, Avonworth and Belle Vernon.
Man, accomplice in police chase held on $250,000 bail
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:22:21 -0400
John McCleavy, 36, was arraigned on three counts of robbery, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of aggravated assault and one count of an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle or property.
No one hurt in shooting outside South Side football stadium
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0400
There were no injuries when several shots were fired outside Cupples Stadium in the South Side during a City League football game.
Outbound Parkway East bottleneck this weekend
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0400
Only one outbound lane of the Parkway East will be open today through Sunday afternoon between Oakland and Monroeville.
Birmingham Bridge lanes to reopen Monday morning
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:00:00 -0400
PennDOT will reopen all lanes of the Birmingham Bridge following months of repairs to the Monongahela River span that partially fell in February.

Centredaily.com: Local

PSU revamps student ticket system
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 09:43:00 -0400
UNIVERSITY PARK — The idea of electronic student football tickets that can’t be sold on the Internet for hundreds of dollars appeals to Penn State freshman John Tecce.
Mural shows town's true colors
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:41:00 -0400
MILLHEIM — If only all laundry looked this good.
Chain crash hurts 2
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:31:00 -0400
HARRIS TOWNSHIP — A chain collision involving four vehicles Friday evening on U.S. Route 322 left two people injured and traffic stopped for more than half an hour.

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