"In popular imagination, America is the land of wide open spaces. But in reality, much of it is more densely populated than Europe. Two-thirds of the U.S. population lives on less than 20 percent of the privately owned land, clustered in 20-some megapolitan areas -- networks of metropolitan centers fused by common economic, physical, social, and cultural traits. Megapolitan America draws on detailed data to map out the dramatic -- and surprisingly positive -- shifts ahead. Backed by hard numbers, Nelson and Lang argue for long-range planning that sheds outdated images and stokes the nation's economic engines. This is required reading for everyone who cares about America's future."--Publisher's website.