Falconry is practised along the migration routes used by falcons for thousands of years. Thus falconry is mainly found within these traditional migration flyways and corridors that run from north and east Asia and north Europe through Mediterranean Europe, the Middle East and the Caspian Sea countries to North Africa, and from North America, south to Central and South America. Falconry is found in more than sixty countries. It depends on open terrain so that the falconer can follow the bird. Thus, habitat dictates the practicality of falconry and shapes its particular local variations of traditional styles. For example, in the deserts of Arabia, the open terrain allows the use of falcons that fly long distances, and the steppes of Asia permit the flying of both falcons and large eagles. However, in forested areas and mixed farmland, as found in much of Europe as well as Japan, parts of China, Republic of Korea and Pakistan, short-range birds, such as goshawks and sparrow hawks, are preferred. Spain and Italy provide opportunities to fly both short and long-wing birds of prey according to varying habitat. Falconry retains an unbroken tradition in central, south and east Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and most parts of Europe. Following a brief decline in 18-19th century Europe, it is recovering and provides a link to the countryside by increasingly urban populations. When settlers from Europe reached the Americas, southern Africa and Australasia, they took many of their traditions along with them, including falconry. Falconry is even present in the Azores islands. In most countries falconry is a stable minority activity. However, in some areas rapid urbanisation has restricted the opportunity to practise falconry, leading to a decline. The migration from the countryside to towns is a major threat to rural-based traditions.