We live in an urbanizing world today. It is, thus, imperative to have a basic understanding of this still growing urban phenomenon. The perspective of urban geography emphasises the production of spatial differences among cities of the world. What is the nature and scope of urban geography? When, where and why did cities arise? How has globalization affected the growth of cities recently? Why are cities in the Third World growing faster than those in the developed world? Are the socialist cities planned without socio-economic problems? How do we understand urban systems in any country? What are the major socio-economic and spatial features of cities? What are the differences among the developed world, the Third World and the socialist world?