The population of a city is an important indicator of its development, but it doesn't necessarily correlate with whether the city is advanced. Take, for example, the present-day cities in India and the Far East Empire, whose development primarily relies on the vast inland market.
After all, basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and transportation cannot be changed. The difference between a market of hundreds of millions and a market of tens of millions is significant, and it certainly cannot be matched by a market of millions or even fewer, which is why the European and American powers covet India and the Far East Empire so much.
As Tirpitz and Aaron spoke, a car drove past on the street. East Africa, being a major automobile production power, made Tirpitz unsurprised to see cars in Mbea City, as he had already seen many in places like Dar es Salaam.
"That car just now looks like something I haven't seen on the market; it looks quite impressive!" Tirpitz said.
