AP Human Geography Unit 2 Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Presenter: Steve Heimler
• Topic: Population and Migration in AP Human Geography
• Purpose: To make Unit 2 understandable and help students prepare for their exams.

Population Distribution

• Definition: The pattern of human habitation on Earth's surface.

• Physical Factors Affecting Population Distribution:

  • Climate: Harsh climates have lower population densities.
    • Example: Coastal areas in Australia are more populated due to temperate climates.
  • Landform: Lowland areas are more populated due to ease of building and farming.
    • Example: Higher elevations have challenges like cold temperatures and lack of air.
  • Water Bodies: Historically, human settlements have been near water sources for resources.

• Human Factors Affecting Population Distribution:

  • Culture: Cultural significance can influence settlement.
    • Example: Jews and Muslims in Israel and Palestine.
  • Economic: Availability of jobs and resources affects settlement.
    • Example: African slave trade and European migration to the U.S. for jobs.
  • History: Past distributions influence present distributions.
    • Example: Black Americans in the South due to history of slavery.
  • Politics: Political climates and regimes can cause migration.
    • Example: Cambodian migration under Khmer Rouge.

Population Density

• Importance: Measures how many people occupy a given unit of land.
• Methods of Calculation:
  • Arithmetic Density: Total population divided by total land area.
  • Physiological Density: Total population divided by arable land.
  • Agricultural Density: Total number of farmers divided by arable land.

Effects of Population Density

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

Population Composition

• Age Structure: Distribution of age groups within a population.
  • Dependency Ratio: Ratio of dependents (under 15 and over 65) to the working-age population.
• Sex Ratio: Comparison of males to females in a population.

Population Pyramids

• Visual tools to understand age and sex composition.
• Shapes:
  • Rapid Growth: Wide base (high birth rates).
  • Slow Growth: Narrower base (slightly higher birth than death rates).
  • Stable Growth: Even distribution across age groups.
  • Population Decline: Narrow base indicating higher death rates than birth rates.

Population Dynamics

• Fertility Rates: Ability of a population to have children.
• Mortality Rates: Measure of a population's death rate.
• Migration: Movement of people affecting population size.

Theoretical Models

• Demographic Transition Model: Stages of population growth based on industrialization.
• Epidemiological Transition Model: Focuses on changes in death rates due to disease.
• Malthusian Theory: Population growth vs. food supply.

Consequences of Population Growth or Decline

• Government Policies:
  • Anti-natalist: Decrease birth rates (e.g., China's one-child policy).
  • Pro-natalist: Increase birth rates (e.g., incentives for families).
  • Immigration Policies: Affect population growth due to migration.

Role of Women in Population

• Education, Family Planning, Employment: Lead to lower fertility rates.

Aging Populations

• Characteristics: Higher dependency ratios, lower fertility rates.

Migration

• Push and Pull Factors: Reasons influencing migration (economic, cultural, political).
• Types of Migration:
  • Forced Migration: Involuntary movement (e.g., slavery, refugees).
  • Voluntary Migration: Includes transnational, internal, chain migration, etc.

Effects of Migration

• Political: Changes in power distribution.
• Economic: Impact on labor markets and economies.
• Cultural: Introduction of new cultural dynamics.

Study these notes thoroughly to prepare for your AP Human Geography Unit 2 exam and understand key aspects of population and migration trends and theories.