Potatoes may have powered nearly half of Europe's early urban growth
~47% estimated contribution
Potatoes produce large amounts of food from relatively small areas of land and can thrive in conditions unsuitable for some traditional grains. After their introduction from the Americas, they improved food supplies across parts of Europe. One economic study estimated that potatoes accounted for about 47% of the increase in urbanization across the Old World between 1700 and 1900.