Final answer:
The statement about the Rust Belt characterized by declining industry, aging factories, and a falling population is true. The decline began in the 1970s and 1980s due to factory closures, job losses, and population decline in cities like Detroit and Pittsburgh.
Explanation:
The statement that the Rust Belt is characterized by declining industry, aging factories, and a falling population is TRUE. This region, once known as the Manufacturing Belt or Factory Belt, primarily includes the northeastern United States and parts of the Midwest. It was heavily dominated by industrial manufacturing, especially during the 19th and early-to-mid 20th centuries. However, starting around the 1970s and 1980s, many factories in the Rust Belt began to close, leading to job losses and population decline in many cities such as Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland.
The deindustrialization of the Rust Belt occurred due to several factors. Many employers relocated to regions with weaker labor unions or to other countries where labor was cheaper and regulations were less stringent. The economic shift from industrial production to a more information-age and service-oriented economy contributed significantly to this decline. As a result, cities that had once thrived on manufacturing suffered from urban decay, poverty, and a decrease in population.