According to the latest calculations, by the year 2030 around 60 percent of the world’s population will live in cities. Particularly in developing countries, this trend is associated with major problems with regard to water supply.
The Metropolitan Area of Valley of Mexico (of which Mexico City is part), spreads over 7,815 square kilometres, of which 1,484 square kilometres are taken up by the capital itself. At 2,310 metres above sea level, Mexico City is one of the highest capitals on Earth. With more than 21 million inhabitants, the metropolitan area also has the highest population in the country and 20 percent of Mexico’s entire population. Around 9 million people lived in the city itself in 2013. Mexico City is one of the largest and fastest-growing cities in the world.
By Cecilia Tortajada, 2015. Article published in Globe View, pages 191-195.