Using the data shown in the graphs, explain how popular representation in a legislature is an important centripetal force for federal states.

#9 is about how political representation is divised. Roughly, the districts all need to have the same number of people (this can vary). Remember, for Congress (the legislative law making body of national government) that each state gets two Senators no matter their size or population. The House of Representatives is based on population. Alaska is huge but it has a small population while New Jersey is much small but has a larger population and gets more representatives. So, some representative districts are very small, such as New York City because many people live close together while other districts are huge (Wyoming gets one representative for the entire state. It can be hard for a representative to understand or meet with people who live so far apart, but a simple speech in the streets can reach many people in the city.