Central city is a term commonly used to refer to the main urban area within a larger metropolitan region. However, there are several synonyms that can be used to describe this type of city. For instance, "downtown" is often used as a synonym for central city, particularly in the United States. The term "city centre" is also a popular term used in much of the English-speaking world, while the term "urban core" is sometimes used to describe central city areas in the United States. Other possible synonyms for central city include "metropolis," "hub," "capital," and "heartland".