Page 580 - Sociology and You

550 Unit 5 Social Change
World View
World View
Urban Population as a Proportion of Total Population
As discussed in the text, the Industrial Revolution en- couraged the rapid growth of cities. The map below shows that many countries now have urban popula- tions that comprise 60 percent or more of their total populations.
North America
Europe
South America
Interpreting the Map
> 79% 60%–79% 40%–59%
20%–39% < 20%
No data
Africa
Asia
Australia
Urban Population as a Percentage of Total Population
1. The map shows that countries such as England, Germany, and Sweden have urban populations that make up over 80 percent of their total populations. This can be explained by the effects of the Industrial Revolution, since these countries’ economies are highly developed. However, other countries, such as Venezuela, Argentina, and Libya, which are not highly developed, also have urban populations that comprise over 80 percent of their totals. Can you think of reasons why this is so? Explain.
2. What effects will increased urbanization have on countries and the world?
Adapted from The State of the World Atlas, 5th ed.
The Rise of the Modern City
Beginning in the 1700s, the Industrial Revolution created major changes in transportation, agriculture, commerce, and industry. Technological devel- opments led to better agricultural productivity and more efficient transporta- tion systems. Farm workers were free to leave rural areas and move into cities. More important, however, was the spread of factories.