Why are the tops of mountains round, and the soil often rough, rocky, and thin in many places in the northeast? the early settlers abused and overused the land. glaciers scoured the landscape, grinding the high places and mixing the soil with rocks. the native american population purposely destroyed the countryside when they discovered the white settlers would not leave. during the past three centuries, the urban dwellers in the area have appropriated the fine soil for the cities.

Urban growth invariably feeds increased commercialization and industrialization. it requires continually expanding land areas. when urbanization rates are high, and countries do not have the institutional and managerial capacities or economic wherewithal to manage such rapid growths, they exert intense pressure on the types and nature of the resulting settlements. they contribute to the development of overcrowded slums and shanty towns without adequate essential services and necessary infrastructure.-by asit k. biswas and cecilia tortajada