ap human geo

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to population distribution, density, and other demographic factors important for understanding population dynamics.

Population distribution

How people are spread out across Earth's surface.

Population density

A measurement of the number of people living in a given area.

Arithmetic density

The total population divided by total land area; shows overall population pressure.

Physiological density

The number of people supported by a unit of arable (farmable) land.

Agricultural density

The number of farmers per unit of arable land; reflects farming efficiency.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing boundaries for political representation based on population change.

Infrastructure

The basic systems and services (transportation, water, power, etc.) that support a population.

Carrying capacity

The largest number of people an environment can sustainably support.

Population composition

The structure of a population by age, sex, and other characteristics.

Population pyramid

A graph that displays a population's age and sex structure.

Baby boom

A period of unusually high birth rates.

Baby bust

A period of unusually low birth rates.

Potential workforce

The portion of the population that is of working age.

Dependent population

People typically too young or too old to work.

Dependency ratio

The number of dependents compared to the working-age population.

Crude birth rate (CBR)

The number of live births per 1,000 people per year.

Total fertility rate (TFR)

The average number of children a woman is expected to have.

Life expectancy

The average number of years a person is expected to live.

Infant mortality rate (IMR)

The number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Crude death rate (CDR)

The number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.

Rate of natural increase (RNI)

Population growth calculated by subtracting CDR from CBR (excluding migration).

Doubling time

The number of years it takes for a population to double in size.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A model showing how population growth changes as a country develops.

Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM)

A model explaining how causes of death change with development.

Malthusian Theory

The idea that population grows faster than food supply, leading to crisis.

Boserup Theory

The idea that population growth encourages technological innovation in agriculture.

Neo-Malthusians

Groups that believe population growth threatens resources and the environment.

Antinatalist policies

Government policies designed to reduce birth rates.

Gender/sex ratio

The number of males per 100 females in a population.

China's One-Child Policy

A former government policy limiting most families to one child to control population growth.

Pronatalist policies

Government policies that encourage people to have more children.