Human Geography Lecture Review Flashcards

A comprehensive set of practice questions and answers covering human geography topics including population dynamics, demographic models, migration types, settlement patterns, land-use theories, agricultural systems, and political geography.

What is the difference between population distribution and population density?

Population distribution describes the way in which people are spread in an area, while population density is the number of people living in the given area.

Which two scales are primarily used to study population distribution?

Global and regional scale.

What are the main 'inputs' and 'outputs' of population change?

Inputs are birth and immigrants; outputs are death and emigrants.

What happens to birth and death rates in Stage 1 of the Demographic Transition Model (DTM)?

Both birth rate and death rate are high, leading to slow population growth.

Why was Stage 5 added to the Demographic Transition Model?

Because some countries, particularly in Western Europe, began experiencing population decline where birth rates became lower than death rates.

What is the definition of Total Fertility Rate (TFR)?

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

Why did China end the One-Child Policy and replace it with the Two-Child Policy in 2016?

To address an ageing population and a shortage of younger workers.

What is the difference between internal and external migration?

Internal migration is movement within a country, while external migration is movement across national borders.

Define 'pull factors' and provide two examples.

Reasons that attract people to a new area; examples include better education and job opportunities.

According to the Optimum Population theory, what state achieves the highest per capita economic return?

A theoretical state where the number of people working with all available resources produces the maximum return.

How does Malthus's theory describe the growth of human population versus food supply?

Human population grows geometrically, while food supply grows arithmetically.

In Malthusian theory, what are 'positive checks'?

Natural events that increase death rates, such as famine and disease.

In settlement geography, what is the 'site' versus the 'situation'?

Site is the actual location of the settlement; situation is the location relative to surrounding areas.

What are the characteristics of a 'nucleated' settlement pattern?

Buildings are grouped closer to each other, often for economic, social, or defence reasons.

According to Bid-Rent Theory, why is land most expensive near the Central Business District (CBD)?

Many businesses compete for the space because of high accessibility and access to customers.

What is the 'Peak Land Value Intersection' (PLVI)?

The single most expensive site in the CBD, often occupied by a major department store.

How do 'high-order goods' differ from 'convenience (low order) goods'?

Convenience goods (like bread and milk) are bought frequently and close to home, whereas high-order goods are bought infrequently and require a larger threshold population.

What is 'gentrification'?

The improvement of old houses in a city which then become occupied by wealthy people.

Define 'arable farming' and 'pastoral farming'.

Arable farming is the growing of crops usually on flatter, high-quality land; pastoral farming is the raising of animals, usually on land less favourable for crops.

What is 'shifting cultivation' and why is it used?

A farming system where farmers move to new land when soil fertility declines and crop yields decrease.

What characterizes 'extensive commercial pastoralism'?

Large-scale livestock farming for profit, typically found in remote areas with low land costs.

What is 'eutrophication' and what causes it in farming?

The enrichment of water with nutrients causing excessive plant and algae growth, caused by excess fertilisers leaching into rivers and lakes.

Define 'salinisation' and its cause.

The build-up of salt in the soil, caused when irrigation raises the water table and brings dissolved salts to the surface.

What is the difference between a 'state' and a 'nation'?

A state is a political unit with sovereignty over a territory; a nation is a group of people sharing a common culture, identity, and territory.

What is a 'stateless nation' and give one example.

A nation that does not have its own state; examples include the Kurds and Palestinians.

What is a 'prorupt state'?

A state that is nearly compact but has one or more extensions protruding from its main territory, such as Thailand.

What is an 'enclave'?

A territory completely surrounded by another state, such as Lesotho which is surrounded by South Africa.

Distinguish between centripetal and centrifugal forces in a state.

Centripetal forces unite people and strengthen the state (e.g., common language), while centrifugal forces divide people and weaken the state (e.g., ethnic tensions).

What is 'iconography' in the context of state cohesion?

National symbols used to promote unity and identity, such as flags, anthems, and national sports teams.

Under UNCLOS, what is the 'Exclusive Economic Zone' (EEZ)?

A maritime zone extending 200 nautical miles where a country has the right to explore, exploit, and manage resources.