AP Human Geography Unit 2 Overview

Introduction

• Presenter: Steve Heimler
• Purpose: Simplify Unit 2 concepts for better understanding
• Resource Mentioned: AP Human Geography Heimler Review Guide

Population Distribution

• Definition: Pattern of human habitation on Earth
• Uneven Distribution: Humans are not evenly distributed across the Earth's surface
  • Some areas densely populated, others are sparse
• Factors Influencing Population Distribution:
  • Physical Factors:
    • Climate: Favorable climates attract more people
    • Landforms: Lowlands are preferred; mountainous areas are less populated
    • Water: Proximity to bodies of water is a key factor
  • Human Factors:
    • Culture: Cultural ties to specific areas
    • Economics: Job availability influences settlement
    • History: Historical settlement patterns influence current distribution
    • Politics: Political circumstances can force or encourage migration

Population Density

• Definition: Measure of 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 farmers divided by arable land
• Importance: Affects political, economic, social processes, and environmental health

Population Composition

• Definition: Characteristics of a population like age, gender, etc.
• Key Elements:
  • Age Structure: Organization of population by age groups
  • Dependency Ratio: Ratio of dependents (young and old) to working-age people
  • Sex Ratio: Comparison of males to females
  • Population Pyramid: Tool used to visualize age structure and predict growth trends

Population Dynamics

• Fertility Rates: Measure of a population's ability to have children
  • Crude Birth Rate: Births per 1,000 people
  • Total Fertility Rate: Average number of children per woman
• Mortality Rates
  • Crude Death Rate: Deaths per 1,000 people
  • Infant Mortality Rate: Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
• Rate of Natural Increase (RNI): CBR minus CDR
• Doubling Time: Time it takes for a population to double given current growth rates

Theoretical Models

• Demographic Transition Model: Explains population changes over history
  • Stages 1-5: High stationary, early expanding, late expanding, low stationary, natural decrease
• Epidemiological Transition Model: Focuses on changing death rates due to diseases
  • Stages 1-5: Famine, receding pandemics, degenerative diseases, delayed degenerative diseases, re-emergence of infectious diseases
• Malthusian Theory: Predicts population will outgrow food supply

Consequences of Population Growth/Decline

• Government Policies:
  • Antinatalist Policies: Decrease birth rate
  • Pronatalist Policies: Increase birth rate
  • Immigration Policies: Affect population through migration
• Role of Women: Education, family planning, and employment influence fertility rates

Aging Population

• Characteristics: High dependency ratio, low fertility rate
• Consequences: Political shifts, social care needs, economic strains like funding pensions

Migration

• Types of Migration:
  • Voluntary vs. Forced Migration: Choice vs. compulsion
  • Categories: Transnational, transhumance, internal, chain, step, guest workers, rural to urban
• Effects of Migration: Political, economic, and cultural impacts on destination and origin countries

• Study Tips: Use Heimler Review Guide for detailed study resources
  • Conclusion: Understanding these concepts is crucial for exam success.