In the next 20 years, more than 590,000 square miles of land globally — more than twice the size of Texas — will be gobbled up by cities, a trend that shows no signs of stopping and one that could pose threats on several levels.

Outlying Counties Grew Faster Than Central Counties Between 2000 and 2007 WASHINGTON, June 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Outlying counties in metropolitan statistical areas grew faster than central counties between 2000 and 2007, according to a Census Bureau report released today.