The distribution of economic well-being within the Northwest region

For many years, geographers have concerned themselves with the spatial dimension of economic development and with the fact that the pattern of development, whether it occurs under capitalist or socialist regimes, tends to result in a clustered form associated with urban centres (Bryant, 1984). Rural regions have tended to lag, both socially and economically, giving rise to rural-to-urban migration in search of economic opportunities. In recent years, however, it is interesting to note that the reverse pattern of movement has been in vogue in many developed industrial nations, giving rise to such terms as 'population turnaround' and 'counterurbanisation' (Cloke, 1985).