AP Human Geography Unit 2: Population and Migration

Overview

• Presenter: Steve Heimler
• Objective: Understand population distribution, density, composition, dynamics, and migration for the AP Human Geography Unit 2 exam.

Population Distribution

• Definition: Pattern of human habitation on Earth's surface.
• Uneven Distribution: People are not spread evenly; some areas are densely populated, others sparse.

Factors Influencing Population Distribution

Physical Factors

1. Climate:
   • Harsh climates (too wet, cold, dry) have lower populations.
   • Example: Most Australians live near the coast due to favorable climate.
2. Landforms:
   • Lowlands are more populated due to ease of building and farming.
   • Mountainous regions are less populated except in temperate equatorial areas.
3. Water Bodies:
   • Settlements often near water sources for resources, travel, and trade.

Human Factors

1. Culture:
   • Cultural significance can attract populations (e.g., Israel and Palestine).
2. Economics:
   • People migrate for job opportunities (e.g., African Slave Trade, European immigration to the USA).
3. History:
   • Historical distribution affects current distribution (e.g., black Americans in the South).
4. Politics:
   • Political regimes can force or encourage migration (e.g., Cambodian Khmer Rouge).

Population Density

• Definition: Measure of how many people occupy a given unit of land.
• Types of Calculations:
  1. Arithmetic Density: Total population divided by total land area.
  2. Physiological Density: Total population divided by arable land.
  3. Agricultural Density: Total farmers divided by arable land.

Implications of Density

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

Population Composition

Key Elements

1. Age Structure:
   • Organizes population by age groups.
   • Dependency ratio: Number of dependents (<15, >65) vs. working age.
2. Sex Ratio:
   • Comparison of males to females in a population.
   • Influences population pyramids used to assess growth or decline.

Population Dynamics

Fertility and Mortality Rates

• Crude Birth Rate (CBR): Births per 1,000 people.
• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Average number of children per woman.
• Crude Death Rate (CDR): Deaths per 1,000 people.
• Infant Mortality Rate: Deaths of children under 1 year per 1,000 live births.

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI)

• CBR minus CDR.
• Does not consider migration.

Models of Population Growth

Demographic Transition Model

• Stage 1: High birth/death rates (pre-industrial).
• Stage 2: High birth, declining death rates (early industrialization).
• Stage 3: Declining birth rates (late industrialization).
• Stage 4: Low birth/death rates (modern industrialized).
• Stage 5: Potential decline (natural decrease).

Epidemiological Transition Model

• Focuses on the changes in death rates and causes over time.

Malthusian Theory

• Predicted overpopulation would outpace food supply.

Consequences of Population Changes

• Government Policies: Anti-natalist and pro-natalist.
• Impact on Women: Education, employment, and family planning lower fertility rates.
• Aging Population Effects: Political, social, and economic challenges.

Migration

Types of Migration

• Immigration and Emigration: Movement into and out of countries.
• Push and Pull Factors: Negative and positive reasons for migration.
• Intervening Obstacles and Opportunities: Challenges and alternate opportunities during migration.

Voluntary vs. Forced Migration

• Voluntary Migration: Driven by choice (e.g., transnational, internal, chain, step, etc.).
• Forced Migration: Driven by conflict or disaster (e.g., slavery, refugees).

Effects of Migration

• Political Effects: Policy changes, redistribution of power.
• Economic Effects: Labor markets and remittances.
• Cultural Effects: Introduction of new cultures and economic benefits in origin countries.