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At any given time, virtually all of the 6.3 billion (2003 est) humans live on Earth, with two or three living on the International Space Station. This has been generally true throughout recent history, with up to ten humans in space at a given time (seven on the Space Shuttle, three on Mir). At various periods between 1969 and 1974, up to two humans spent varying amounts of time on the Moon. Prior to 1961, all humans were restricted to the earth; Yuri Gagarin was the first human to travel into space. As of yet, no human has yet ventured out of Earth orbit.
Of Earth-bound humans, most (61%) live in the Asian region. The vast majority of the remainder live in the Americas (14%), Africa (13%) and Europe (12%).
A huge minority - around 2.5 billion people - live in urban surroundings. Urbanisation is expected to rise drastically during the 21st century. Problems for humans in cities include various forms of pollution, crime and poverty, especially in inner city and suburban slums.
As well as being one of the most numerous mammals, the human species is also the most diverse in its habitat. There are humans living on all of the continents and in range of climates.
Historically, human settlements have been located at and enlarged by proximity to natural resources such as water, fertile land for growing crops and grazing livestock and, more temporarily, by populations of prey. In many places, due to the advent of trade on a massive scale, these factors are no longer the driving force behind growth and decline.
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