中央 and 中心: a middle area, a center point, and a central district
Compare a room’s middle with a circle’s center point, without reducing a city center to the exact midpoint of a map.
The middle part of an arrangement
中央, read ちゅうおう, identifies a middle area or position. 部屋の中央に机を置きました。 says that a desk was placed in the middle of the room.
三つの写真のうち、中央の写真を選びました。 says that the middle photograph of three was selected. It is distinguished from the photographs at either end.
A center point or a central role
中心, read ちゅうしん, names a central point or part. 円の中心から線を引きました。 says that a line was drawn from the circle’s center.
この駅は町の中心にあります。 places the station in the city center. It may identify a center of activity rather than only a mathematically exact map midpoint.
Overlap in the middle and differences in focus
広場の中央 and 広場の中心 can overlap for the middle of a square. When a point is specified in 円の中心, keep the object’s shape in view.
中央の席は空いていますが、両端は埋まっています。 says that the middle seat is available while the seats at both ends are occupied. Do not extend availability to all seats.
Does 町の中心 necessarily identify the exact midpoint calculated on a map?
Show the answer and why
No. It can identify a central district or a place serving a central role in the city.