A traditional cultural feature of "Third World" Developing countries is value placed upon large families. This is especially true in Latin America. This combined with improved medical care has led to a population explosion in these newly developing countries.

Developing countries point to the increasing stress placed upon their societies by overcrowding and increased violence as an important reason to develop unsettled rainforest lands.

The ever increasing population has caused migration into rainforest areas in search of free land to farm.

Overcrowding in coastline cities has contributed to the growth of shanty town slums. In Latin America, these slums are known as favelas.

Activity: Consult a map of Brazil to compare the number of cities located along the coastline to that of cities located in the Amazon Basin. Be sure to research why Brazil moved its capital from Rio de Janiero to Brasilia.

The population explosion has also resulted in the rapidly increasing number of street orphans. Death squads have been formed by vigilante groups seeking to eliminate begging and thief. Visit The House of Hope Project for further information.

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