Early Unit 2 Quiz Study Guide (Population and Demographics)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the notes on population distribution, demographics, and related models.

Population Distribution

The pattern of how people are spread across the Earth (where people live).

Population Density

A measure of the average number of people per unit area (per square kilometer or mile); indicates how crowded a place is.

Midlatitudes

The region between about 30° and 60° north and south of the equator where most people live, due to moderate climates and better soil.

Social Stratification (in urban population distribution)

Factors like elevation, proximity to usable land, and land laws that influence where people live within a city.

Carrying Capacity

The maximum population size that a region can sustain; physiological density is a key measure for this.

Physiological Density

The number of people supported per unit area of arable land; a better indicator of carrying capacity than arithmetic density.

Reasons People Live in Cities

Job opportunities, transportation, better healthcare, and better schools.

Infrastructure

Facilities and systems (sewer, roads, bridges, electrical grids) that enable people to perform daily activities.

Overpopulation

Having more people than a region can support; linked to population distribution and density.

Population Pyramid

A graph showing the age and sex structure of a population; useful for understanding past, present, and future populations.

Anomalies in Population Pyramids (18–25 age bars longer)

Indicates a large university presence or migration patterns affecting youth cohorts.

Anomalies in Population Pyramids (25–50 age bars longer)

Possible economic or policy factors causing delayed childbearing or out-migration of younger families.

Anomalies in Population Pyramids (65+ bars longer)

Aging population or retirement-oriented migration leading to more elderly residents.

Anomalies in Population Pyramids (Male bars longer)

Male-dominated industries or institutions (e.g., military, fishing) attracting more men.

Anomalies in Population Pyramids (Female bars longer)

Higher share of elderly females or post-war population dynamics affecting sex balance.

Baby Boom

A sharp increase in birth rates after a war when peace resumes.

Baby Bust

A period of lower birth rates following a baby boom.

Potential Workforce

People aged 18–55 who have the ability to work.

Demographic Balancing Equation

Describes the future population of a region considering births, deaths, and migration.

Immigrants

People who move into a country.

Emigrants

People who move out of a country.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

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

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children a woman would bear during her childbearing years (15–49), assuming current age-specific fertility rates.

Life Expectancy

The average age to which a population is expected to live, influenced by sanitation, medicine, and overall living conditions.

Infant Mortality Rate

The number of children who die before their first birthday per 1,000 live births.

Advancements in Public Sanitation

Improvements in water and waste systems, water treatment, garbage collection that extend life expectancy.

Vaccines

Substances that provide immunity to deadly diseases.

Antibiotics

Medicines that kill bacterial infections and prevent death.

Rate of Natural Increase

The percentage change of a country’s population due to births and deaths, excluding migration.

Population Doubling Time

The amount of time it takes for a population to double in size.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A model describing population change through stages from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates.

Stage 1 (DTM) – High Stationary

High birth rates, high death rates; very slow natural increase; young population.

Stage 2 (DTM) – Early Expanding

High birth rates and rapidly falling death rates; rapid population growth.

Stage 3 (DTM) – Late Expanding

Declining birth rates as urbanization grows; death rates continue to fall; population still grows.

Stage 4 (DTM) – Low Stationary

Low birth and death rates; very slow natural increase; aging population; highly urbanized.

Stage 5 (DTM) – Declining

Birth rates fall below death rates; population growth diminishes or becomes negative; aging society.

Epidemiological Transition Model (ETM)

Stages describing shifts from infectious to chronic diseases as population ages and life expectancy increases.

Stage 1 (ETM) – Disease and Famine

High death rates from disease and famine; low life expectancy.

Stage 2 (ETM) – Receding Pandemics

Death rates decline due to sanitation, nutrition, and medicine; life expectancy rises.

Stage 3 (ETM) – Degenerative and Human-Created Diseases

Chronic and aging-related diseases rise; death rate declines but aging illnesses increase.

Stage 4 (ETM) – Delayed Degenerative Diseases

Medical advances delay aging; life expectancy increases further; death rate remains low.

Stage 5 (ETM) – Reemergence of Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases reemerge due to resistance or new strains; life expectancy may drop.

Malthusian Theory

Population grows faster than food production if unchecked, leading to unsustainable growth.

Boserup Theory

Human innovation and intensification of farming rise with population pressure to meet needs.

Neo-Malthusians

Modern thinkers who warn that population growth poses risks to future well-being.