AP Human Geography Unit 2: Population

Introduction

• Exam preparation for AP Human Geography Unit 2.
• Understanding population distribution and density is key.

Population Distribution

• Refers to the pattern of human habitation on Earth's surface.
• Humans are not evenly distributed.
• Two main factors influencing distribution:
  • Physical Factors
    • Climate: People live in favorable climates (e.g., temperate coasts in Australia).
    • Landforms: Lowlands are preferred for building and farming.
    • Water Bodies: Settlements often near rivers, lakes for resources.
  • Human Factors
    • Culture: Cultural ties affect settlement (e.g., Israel and Palestine).
    • Economics: Migration for economic opportunities (e.g., African slave trade, European migration to US).
    • History: Past distributions influence present (e.g., Black Americans in the South).
    • Politics: Political regimes can force migration (e.g., Khmer Rouge in Cambodia).

Population Density

• Measure of how many people occupy a given land area.
• Methods of Calculation:
  • Arithmetic Density: Total population/total land area.
  • Physiological Density: Total population/arable land area.
  • Agricultural Density: Total farmers/arable land area.
• Impacts political, economic, social, and environmental processes.

Population Composition

• Characteristics like age, race, gender.
• Age Structure: Influences growth or decline.
  • Dependency Ratio: Ratio of dependents to working-age population.
• Sex Ratio: Comparison of males to females.
• Population Pyramids: Visual tool to understand growth trends (Rapid growth, slow growth, stable, decline).

Population Dynamics

• Fertility Rates
  • Crude birth rate and total fertility rate.
  • Influences by access to healthcare, education.
• Mortality Rates
  • Crude death rate and life expectancy improvements.
  • Infant mortality as an indicator of healthcare access.
• Natural Increase Rate (NIR): Crude birth rate - crude death rate.

Theoretical Models

• Demographic Transition Model (DTM): Stages from high birth/death rates to low/stabilized rates.
• Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM): Focus on disease impact on death rate.
• Malthusian Theory: Population growth surpasses food supply growth.

Government Influence

• Anti-natalist Policies: Limit births (e.g., China's one-child policy).
• Pro-natalist Policies: Encourage births (e.g., parental leave incentives).
• Immigration Policies: Control migration flow.

Women's Roles in Population

• Increased education, access to family planning, and employment reduce fertility rates.
• Impacts on mortality and migration patterns.

Aging Populations

• Determined by dependency ratio, low fertility rates.
• Consequences: Political influence, social care needs, economic challenges.

Migration

• Reasons for Migration: Push (negative) and pull (positive) factors.
• Types of Migration:
  • Forced: Slavery, war-induced displacement.
  • Voluntary: Economic opportunities, cultural ties.
• Effects of Migration:
  • Political: Changes in power distribution, restriction laws.
  • Economic: Job market impacts, remittances.
  • Cultural: Cultural exchange and integration.

These notes summarize the key points and concepts for understanding human geography concerning population distribution, density, composition, dynamics, and migration, as covered in Unit 2 of AP Human Geography.