Latin America is urbanizing at a faster rate than just about anywhere else in the world.  Now, about 78% of the population lives in urban areas.

People in Latin America are moving to the cities because they are impoverished, have been pushed off their land, or simply want a change of lifestyle.

Cities are often the source of serious environmental problems such as pollution, industrial contamination, and the production of waste and sewage.

Very serious health problems have arisen in many of Latin America's new industrial cities.  For example, the young and the elderly are advised not to live in Mexico City because air pollution is so severe.  In fact, estimates show that about 6,400 people in Mexico City were killed in 1992 through inhaling dangerous particulates in the air.

Every year, 65 million workdays in Latin America are lost due to health problems caused by air pollution.  In addition, 2.3 million children contract severe respiratory illnesses every year.

Industrialization has been one of the main causes of pollution in cities.  Large numbers of automobiles in a small area are also an extremely important factor.  In cities such as Mexico City, the topography keeps pollutants stuck in the area, worsening pollution problems.

The economy is now growing after a slump in the 1980s.  As tourism and industry continue to grow, and more people move to the cities, problems caused by urbanization and industrialization will only get worse.