| Research Abstract |
This study aims to analyze the urban system of western Europe from the standpoint of the economic management function. The author studied the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. In this analysis, the author analyzed western Europe as a nation. The author analyzed its urban system from the following 3 points, namely 1) population, 2) distribution of large firms' head offices and branch companies, 3) banking networks. The important conclusions are as follows,
(1) London is the number one city in regard of head offices. The second city is Paris. They have many branch companies, too, The major cities of western Europe have intimate networks between each other.
(2) Madrid, Lisbon, Dublin, Oslo and Vienna have a few head offices, but they have many branch companies.
(3) The capitals of Germany, Italy and Switzerland do not have many head offices, but they have many branch companies.
(4) Geographical distance is a very important factor in the distribution of branch companies.
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