Rio de Janeiro is a city located on Brazil\'s south-east coast. It is one of Brazil\'s largest settlements with a population of approximately 11.7 million people. The population of Rio de Janeiro has grown for a number of reasons. Natural Increase is one reason for its growth (this is when the birth rate is higher than the death rate). The population has also grown as the result of urbanisation. The has been caused by rural to urban migration. Millions of people have migrated from Brazil\'s rural areas to Rio de Janeiro. 65% of urban growth is a result of migration. This is caused by a variety of push and pull factors. The rapid growth of Rio de Janeiro\'s population has led to a severe shortage of housing. Millions of people have been forced to construct their own homes from scrap materials such as wood, corrugated iron and metals. These areas of temporary accommodation are known as favelas in Brazil. The conditions associated with favelas are very poor. Often families have to share one tap, there is no sewerage provision, disease is common and many people are unemployed. Favelas are located on the edge of most major Brazilian cities. They are located here for a number of reasons. Firstly, this is the only available land to build on within the city limits. Secondly, industry is located on the edge of the cities. Many people need jobs therefore they locate close to factories. Some of these settlements may be 40 or 50 km from the city centre (on the edge of the city), along main roads and up very steep hillsides. Causes of urban growth; Although the process of urbanisation happens in both MEDCs(more economically developed countries)and LEDCs,(less economically developed countries) the fastest-growing cities in the world are in LEDCs. The reasons for the growth of urban areas include: There are many problems associated with the rapid growth. These include unplanned housing (squatter settlements/shanty towns), dealing with urban waste, pollution and stress on the infrastructure and the city\'s services. Shanty towns/sqatter settlements; The fact that cities in LEDCs are growing rapidly means that conditions can be poor. There are often great inequalities within LEDC urban areas and they are even more pronounced in LEDCs. Some of the worst conditions are found in the shanty towns on the edge of the city, near the CBD(convention on biological diversity) or along main transport routes. They tend to be unplanned and are often illegal. Houses are self-built using basic materials and shanty towns have few services. Shanty town residents face many problems on a daily basis. Problems in shanty towns/squatter settlements this is how the squatter settlements effects the urban geography of brazil Solution Rio de Janeiro is a city located on Brazil\'s south-east coast. It is one of Brazil\'s largest settlements with a population of approximately 11.7 million people. The population of Rio de Janeiro has grown for a number of reasons. Natural Increase is one .