ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes and discusses the urbanization process in Latin America and the Caribbean countries within the framework of development and population dynamics. It points to a number of deficiencies in knowledge regarding the evolution of the settlement systems there. The chapter suggests that the situation is highly related to the use of inadequate concepts and to limitations in the available population data collection systems. It comprises a historical overview of population dynamics and urbanization trends in Latin America as a whole and in comparison with those of other world regions. The chapter also analyzes the different experiences of the region's 22 largest countries as far as available statistics permit. It reviews rural-urban classification schemes, with selected examples from national case studies. The chapter presents suggestions for the improvement of the production and dissemination of data for settlement analysis in the region.
