AP Human Geography - Unit 2

Global population

The total number of people living on Earth, currently estimated at 8 billion.

Key population regions

The majority of the world’s population, two-thirds, resides in South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Western Europe.

Population

The total count of individuals residing in a specified area.

Population distribution

The pattern of where people are located within a geographic area.

Preferred climatic conditions

Ideal environmental conditions characterized by moderate temperatures, sufficient rainfall, and absence of severe weather.

Impact of landforms on migration

The tendency of people to migrate to lower lands for easier access to farming and construction.

Access to water and population distribution

The necessity of having fresh water readily available for survival, influencing where people choose to live.

Economic influences on population distribution

The tendency of people to settle in areas that offer employment opportunities.

Political influences on population distribution

The effect of political dissatisfaction on an individual’s decision to relocate.

Cultural influences on population distribution

Factors like housing, safety, transportation options, and community belonging that affect where people live.

Historical influences on population distribution

Events from the past that have shaped migration patterns and influences on current movement decisions.

Population density

The measurement of how many individuals occupy a specific area of land.

Arithmetic density

The overall number of individuals divided by the total land area, providing a basic measure of population density.

Physiological density

The number of individuals per unit of arable land, indicating how densely populated farmland is.

Agricultural density

The ratio of farmers to the total area of farmland, showing agricultural productivity.

Dependency ratio

A ratio that compares the number of dependents (young and old) to the working-age population.

Sex ratio

The relationship between the number of males and females in a given population.

Age dependency

The demographic ratio of dependents (both young and old) to the working-age population.

Fertility

The capacity of a population to reproduce and give birth to children.

Crude birth rate (CBR)

The number of live births in a year for every 1,000 people in a population.

Total fertility rate (TFR)

An estimate of the average number of children a woman would have during her reproductive years.

Mortality

The frequency of deaths within a population over a specified time period.

Crude death rate (CDR)

The annual number of deaths per 1,000 individuals in a population.

Infant mortality rate (IMR)

The number of deaths of infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.

Population pyramid

A graphical representation that shows the distribution of various age groups and sexes in a population.

Rate of natural increase

The rate at which the population grows, calculated by subtracting the number of deaths from the number of live births over a specific period.

Urbanization

The transformation resulting in an increasing percentage of people residing in urban areas compared to rural areas.

Job availability

Regions with abundant job opportunities attract more residents seeking employment.

Political policies affecting birth rates

Government strategies that encourage higher birth rates, such as family-friendly policies and maternity leave.

Environmental factors supporting large populations

Favorable environmental conditions, such as mild climates and ample resources that can sustain larger populations.

Social norms and population growth

Cultural expectations regarding family size that can significantly influence fertility rates.

Malthus's Theory of Population Growth

A theory proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus stating that population grows exponentially while food supply increases arithmetically.

Demographic Transition Model (DTM)

A framework explaining the transformation of birth and death rates as societies evolve and develop.

Characteristics of Stage 1 of the DTM

Stage 1 is marked by high birth and death rates, resulting in a relatively stable population.

Characteristics of Stage 2 of the DTM

Stage 2 features decreasing death rates alongside high birth rates, leading to population growth.

Characteristics of Stage 3 of the DTM

In Stage 3, birth rates decline as families opt to have fewer children.

Characteristics of Stage 4 of the DTM

Stage 4 is characterized by both low birth and death rates, which stabilizes the population.

Net migration

The balance of people moving into a place versus those leaving it.

Mobility in migration studies

The capacity of individuals to relocate or travel between different locations.

Circulation migration

A form of temporary migration that involves cyclical movement between established locations.

Forced migration

Involuntary relocation of individuals due to dire circumstances like conflict, natural disasters, or persecution.

Ravenstein's Laws of Migration

Principles derived from demographic studies outlining typical patterns and behaviors of migratory movements.

Push factors

Negative conditions or circumstances that compel people to leave their current location.

Pull factors

Positive conditions or opportunities that attract individuals to move to a new location.

Voluntary migration

Migration that occurs when individuals choose to relocate for improved living conditions or opportunities.

Chain migration

Migration pattern where individuals follow family or community members to a new destination.

Step migration

The process of migrating in stages, often from a smaller to a larger settlement.

Guest worker migration

Temporary migration for employment, often in lower-skilled or labor-intensive positions.

Internally Displaced Person (IDP)

A person forced to flee their home due to conflict or disaster but who remains within their home country.

Remittances

Monetary transfers made by migrants to support family members or communities back home.

Brain drain

The emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals seeking better employment opportunities abroad.