Most of the growth in towns and cities in the developed world took place in the 17^th century at the same time as the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions.

Because of the rapid growth in emerging and developing countries there is not enough time to build sufficient houses for those moving into cities. Some people have to rent or build their own homes in squatter settlements.

Cities in emerging and developing countries are growing so fast because of two main reasons: natural increase and migration.

Natural increase: birth rates are lower than death rates. Migrants tend to be young and death rates are low, so cities are dominated by young children.

Migration is from the countryside, which is a result of push factors (such as mechanisation of farming and jobs with higher wages) and pull factors (such as good healthcare).

The 63 million people of the UK are spread out unevenly.

In the north and west of the UK the land is generally higher, slopes are steep, soils are deep and farming is difficult and hard work.

In the 19^th century, the Industrial Revolution led to rapid growth of factory towns on the coalfields of central Scotland, north and south-east England and north Wales.

During the second half of the 18th century the effect of the Peasants’ Revolt in the Midlands and the north of England saw many people being forced off the land and moving to towns and cities in search of work.

Cities, such as Birmingham, located on river estuaries grew as ports during the 18th and 19th centuries as trade with other countries developed.

London has continued to grow rapidly. It is the centre of UK road, rail and air communications, has a large market, a large labour force and is a world centre of banking, culture and the creative industries.