AP Human Geography Unit 2: Population and Migration

Introduction

• Presenter: Steve Heimler
• Objective: Understand Unit 2 in AP Human Geography, focusing on population distribution, density, and migration.

Population Distribution

Definition

• Pattern of human habitation on Earth.
• Uneven distribution due to various factors.

Factors Influencing Distribution

1. Physical Factors
   • Climate: Harsh climates deter dense populations (e.g., central Australia is sparsely populated).
   • Landform: Lowland areas are preferable; mountains are challenging except in equatorial regions.
   • Water Bodies: Proximity to water aids survival, trade, and agriculture.
2. Human Factors
   • Culture: Cultural attachment to land affects distribution (e.g., Israel and Palestine).
   • Economics: Job availability influences settlement.
   • History: Past populations influence present distributions (e.g., Black Americans in the South).
   • Politics: Political regimes can force migration or settlement.

Population Density

Definition

• Measure of people per unit of land.

Calculation Methods

1. Arithmetic Density: Total population divided by total land area.
2. Physiological Density: Total population divided by arable land.
3. Agricultural Density: Farmers divided by arable land.

Importance

• Affects political, economic, social processes, and environmental health.

Population Composition

Elements

1. Age Structure: Divides population into age groups, indicating dependency ratios.
2. Sex Ratio: Comparison of males to females; varies by scale.
3. Population Pyramids: Visual representation indicating growth trends.

Population Dynamics

• Fertility Rates: Indicates potential for growth; measured by Crude Birth Rate and Total Fertility Rate.
• Mortality Rates: Indicates death rates; includes Crude Death Rate and Infant Mortality Rate.
• Rate of Natural Increase: CBR minus CDR.
• Doubling Time: Time it takes for a population to double.

Factors Influencing Fertility, Mortality, Migration

1. Social/Cultural: Gender roles affect birth rates.
2. Political: Policies can encourage or restrict population growth.
3. Economic: Economic health affects birth and migration rates.

Theoretical Models

1. Demographic Transition Model: Explains population changes through stages from pre-industrial to post-industrial.
2. Epidemiological Transition Model: Focuses on changing death rates due to disease.
3. Malthusian Theory: Warns of population outpacing food supply, proven incorrect due to technological advancements.

Consequences of Population Growth/Decline

• Influences government policies (anti-natalist, pro-natalist, immigration).
• Women's status affects fertility rates.
• Aging populations affect political power, social care, and economic balance.

Migration

Reasons

• Push Factors: Negative aspects forcing migration (e.g., war, persecution).
• Pull Factors: Positive aspects attracting migration (e.g., job opportunities).

Categories

1. Forced Migration: Due to war, persecution, etc.
2. Voluntary Migration: Includes transnational, internal, chain, step, guest workers, rural to urban.

Effects

• Political: Changes political power distribution.
• Economic: Affects job markets and remittances.
• Cultural: Introduces cultural diversity and possibly strains social structures.

Conclusion

• Understanding population dynamics is crucial for addressing issues related to migration, resource allocation, and policy development.