가운데 : the middle of ~ 중심지 : the metropolis, the center, the center of something. They are the same meaning. 가운데 can combine with noun. eg) not only used, 대전은 한국의 한 가운데에 있다. (가운데에 works for an Adverb) 나는 가운데 자동차가 좋다. (가운데 + 자동차) (가운데 is an adjective) 나는 가운데 가게에 갈거야. (가운데 + 가게) 나는 가운뎃손가락이 아파. (가운데 + 손가락) 중심지 : 중심(center) + 지(land) So, 중심지 means a specific area. 중심지 doesn't combine with anything, because it's as an noun. eg) 미술의 중심지 an art center 교통의 중심지 a transport[rail(road)] center 공업의 중심지 a center of industry; an industrial center 상업의 중심지 a commercial center 학문의 중심지 a seat of learning 인구의 중심지 center of population

I think it would be helpful to take a look at "중심지" first. "중심지" came from Hanja, "중심(中心)" means "the center, the middle = 가운데" and "지(地) is just "an area", so the term "중심지" can be a place or an area where events take place, and sometimes it can be a abstract place as well. (Depending on contexts, it can be interchangeable with "요충지(要衝地)" or "거점(據點)") As you mentioned, it could be a headquarters or downtown(중심가,도심). Also it is often used in written. On the other hand, the term "가운데" means just a physical center. Here are some usages of them. 1) The main street = 중심가,중심지 2) Seoul is one of the world's most important center of business 서울은 비지니스 세계에서 가장중요한 중심지중 하나이다. 3) The Namsan tower in the heart of Seoul 서울 중심지에 있는 남산타워 (I don't think 남산타워 is exactly situated in the middle of Seoul) 4) 가운데 손가락 = the middle finger 5) Please put the table in the middle of the room. 이 테이블을 방 한 가운데에 놓아주세요 ^___^

Thank you, Hailey.

중심지 is like "mecca", "the heart(of something like the world's film industry)", "heartland", "hub".