Describing forces, movements, or patterns that flow or point toward a central location. In geography, this often refers to migration patterns, trade flows, or political organization that concentrate toward a core area.
From Latin 'centrum' (center) and 'petere' (to seek), coined by Newton in the 17th century for physics. Geographers adopted the term in the 20th century to describe spatial patterns and forces that create concentration toward central places.
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