AP Human Geography Ch. 3-4

Population Distribution

The pattern of human settlement—the spread of people across the earth.

Population Density

A measure of the average population per square mile or kilometer of an area. It measures how crowded a place is.

Midlatitudes

Regions between 30 degrees and 60 degrees north and south of the equator. These areas have more moderate climates and better soils than do regions at higher or lower latitudes

Social Stratification

The hierarchical division of people into groups based on factors such as economic status, power, and/or ethnicity.

Arithmetic Population Density

Calculated by dividing a region’s population by its total area. Says little about population distribution.

Physiological Population Density

Calculated by dividing population by the amount of arable land. More useful in determining a region’s carrying capacity.

Arable

Land suitable for growing crops.

Agricultural Population Density

Compares the number of farmers to the area of arable land. Indicates a region’s level of development.

Redistricting

Boundary adjustments.

Infrastructure

The facilities and structures that allows people to carry out their typical activities.

Overpopulation

When a region has more people than it can support.

Carrying Capacity

The number of people a region can support without damaging the environment.

Population Pyramid

A graphical representation of the distribution of a population by age and sex

Cohorts

A group of people within a population who share a common characteristic or experience, most commonly being born within the same time period.

Birth Deficit

The slowdown of births during a conflict.

Baby Boom

The birthrate often spikes after hostilities end and peace resumes.

Baby Bust

When the baby boom ends and birth rates are lower for a number of years.

Echo

When an increase in population reflects an earlier baby boom.

Potential Workforce

People ages 15-64. The group expected to be the society’s labor force.

Dependent Population

People under 15 or over 64. They are considered too young or too old to work full-time and, therefore, are assumed to rely on the economically active workforce to keep the society running.

Dependency Ratio

The comparison between the size of the potential workforce and the dependent population.

Demographic Balancing Equation

An equation used to describe the future population of a region of any scale: Future population = Current Population + (number of births - number of deaths) + (number of immigrants - number of emigrants)

Immigrants

People who moved into the country.

Emigrants

People who moved out of the country.

Crude Birth Rate (CBR)

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

Total Fertility Rate (TFR)

The average number of children who would be born per women of the age group 15 to 49 in a country, assuming every woman lived through her childbearing years.

Life Expectancy

The average number of years people live.

Infant Mortality Rate

The number of children who die before their first birthday.

Crude Death Rate (CDR)

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

Rate of Natural Increase (RNI)

The percentage at which a country’s population is growing or declining, without the impact of migration.

Population Doubling Time

The time it takes for a population to double.

Demographic Transition Model

Shows five typical stages of population change that countries experience as they modernize.

Demographic Momentum

The tendency for a population to continue growing for a period even after birth rates have fallen to replacement levels, due to a large proportion of young people in the population's age structure.

Epidemiological Transition Model

Predictable stages in disease and life expectancy that countries experience as they develop.

Malthusian Theory

A theory that society is on a path towards massive starvation.

Boserup Theory

Suggested that the more people there are, the more hands there are to work, rather than just more mouths to feed.

Neo-Malthusians

Argue that population growth is a serious problem currently and an even greater threat for the future.

Antinatalist Policies

Policies that attempt to decrease the number of births in a country and are often used by developing countries.

Pronatalist Policies

Programs designed to increase the fertility rate.