A CITY IS BORN: San Francisco (USA)
The American West was colonised by European immigrants in search of a better life.
In North America, there were vast areas of land, huge prairies to feed livestock and rich gold mines.
The discovery of gold more than 150 years ago attracted many settlers to what today is the city of San Francisco.
Gradually, San Francisco became a big city.
Settlers travelled west in horse-drawn covered wagons. Sometimes, families stopped along the route, and founded small communities. They built wooden houses and opened shops and small businesses. They earned a living by providing travellers with everything they needed: food, tools and shelter for animals.
In time, as more and more people came to an area, other services were needed: hotels, bars, banks, churches, schools... What began as a small community of families, gradually became a city.
The American West was colonised by European immigrants in search of a better life.
In North America, there were vast areas of land, huge prairies to feed livestock and rich gold mines.
The discovery of gold more than 150 years ago attracted many settlers to what today is the city of San Francisco.
Gradually, San Francisco became a big city.
Settlers travelled west in horse-drawn covered wagons. Sometimes, families stopped along the route, and founded small communities. They built wooden houses and opened shops and small businesses. They earned a living by providing travellers with everything they needed: food, tools and shelter for animals.
In time, as more and more people came to an area, other services were needed: hotels, bars, banks, churches, schools... What began as a small community of families, gradually became a city.
EUROPEAN CITIES BY POPULATION
WORLD URBAN POPULATION