ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines the historical origins of the contemporary patterns of urbanization in Latin America. It is in this period that contemporary patterns of urbanization in Latin America were shaped as the expansion of primary production for export transformed the agrarian structure. The chapter examines the implications of the core periphery relationship for the patterns of urbanization that developed in the colonial period and lasted until the early twentieth century. The analysis or urbanization in different periods provides insight into the economic and political contradictions that developed within Latin America and became potential sources of internally generated transformations. The purpose of placing such emphasis on urbanization is to show the importance of the partial and fragmented nature of economic development in the continent for its subsequent evolution.
