Monday, July 20, 2009

The historic tour de force

that is the potato:
... the introduction of the potato explains 22% of the observed post-1700 increase in population growth.
... the introduction of the potato explains 47% of the post-1700 increase in the average urbanization rate. Our estimates suggest that increased agricultural productivity can play a significant part in promoting the rise of urban centers, industry, and economic development.
Earlier potato factoid that changed Europe, noted here.

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