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Chapter 4: Problem 2

What is a megacity, where are most of the world's megacities today, and where will most be in the future?

Short Answer

Expert verified
A megacity is a metropolitan area with over 10 million people, characterized by rapid urban growth, high population density, and significant influence. Most of today's megacities are in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, such as Tokyo, Delhi, and Shanghai. In the future, most megacities will still be found in these regions, with potential future megacities including Lagos, Karachi, and Dhaka, due to population growth trends and urbanization rates.

Step by step solution

01

Define a megacity

A megacity is a metropolitan area with a population of over 10 million people. These cities are characterized by rapid urban growth, high population density, and significant economic, political, and cultural influence.
02

Identify current megacities

Most of the world's megacities today are located in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Some of the largest megacities include Tokyo, Japan (37.8 million people); Delhi, India (28.5 million people); and Shanghai, China (25.6 million people). Other megacities can be found in Southeast Asia, such as Jakarta, Indonesia, and Manila, Philippines; as well as in Latin America, such as Mexico City, Mexico; São Paulo, Brazil; and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
03

Predict future locations of megacities

In the future, it is expected that most megacities will be found in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, given current population growth trends and urbanization rates. According to the United Nations, by 2030 there will be 43 megacities globally, with the majority being located in developing countries. Some potential future megacities include Lagos, Nigeria; Karachi, Pakistan; and Dhaka, Bangladesh. In conclusion, a megacity is a large metropolitan area with a population of more than 10 million people. Currently, most of the world's megacities are found in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, and it is predicted that these regions will continue to host the majority of megacities in the future.

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