Hunger, Famine, Population Growth, and Underdevelopment (Lecture Notes)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering hunger and famine concepts, population dynamics (birth/death rates), public health impacts, and characteristics of underdeveloped countries.

Hunger (on a large scale)

A situation where there is never enough to eat; you are always wondering where the next meal will come from, or if there will be a next meal at all. On a large scale, this is also called famine.

Famine

Hunger at a large scale; widespread scarcity of food leading to widespread hunger and often death.

Ancient famine record

One of the first famine records carved in granite by an Egyptian pharaoh.

North China famine (death toll)

A famine in North China in which about nine and a half million people perished.

Russian famine (1921–1922)

A famine in Russia during 1921–1922 that killed several million people.

Bengal famine

A great famine in Bengal in which about ten million people died.

Nabombe famine (1942)

A famine in Nabombe in 1942 in which millions starved to death.

India famine (1964–1965)

The worst famine of the century in India, occurring in 1964–1965.

Causes of famine

Overpopulation; crop failure due to disease; crop failure due to lack of rain.

Birth rate

The number of births per thousand population per year.

Death rate

The number of deaths per thousand population per year.

Population growth rate

The difference between birth rate and death rate; if birth rate exceeds death rate, the population grows rapidly.

Mortality rate

The rate at which deaths occur in a population; public health measures can reduce mortality.

Public health measures

Advancements that have reduced mortality, contributing to population growth as births remain high.

Replacement-level fertility

In more developed countries, birth rates are kept low so that couples have about two children to replace themselves.

Underdeveloped country

A country characterized by poverty, lacking factories, minimal roads and railways, few hospitals and schools, and high illiteracy.

Poverty

A condition of insufficient income and resources that affects development.

Lack of factories (industrial base)

Limited industrial production capabilities in underdeveloped countries.

Infrastructure deficiencies

Poor roads, railways, hospitals, and schools in underdeveloped countries.

Illiteracy

A high rate of people who cannot read or write, common in underdeveloped regions.

Exports of underdeveloped countries

Goods exported are often raw materials rather than manufactured products.