APHG Unit 8/9 Key Terms

Flashcards covering key population geography vocabulary, including demographic models, pyramid shapes, and density measurements.

Thomas Malthus

An English economist who proposed that human population grows exponentially while food production increases linearly, leading to eventual overpopulation and resource depletion.

J-curve

A graph line representing exponential population growth, where growth starts slowly and then rapidly accelerates over time.

Neo-Malthusians

Modern theorists who adapt Malthus's ideas, warning that population growth will outpace not only food but also energy, water, and other natural resources.

Population Pyramids

Bar graphs that display the age and gender structure of a given population.

Population Pyramid- extended triangle

A population pyramid shape with a wide base that indicates high birth rates and rapid population growth.

Population Pyramid- inverted pyramid

A population pyramid shape with a narrow base and wide top, indicating declining birth rates and an aging population.

Population Pyramid- rectangular formation

A population pyramid shape where age cohorts are roughly equal in size, indicating stable or zero population growth.

Arithmetic Density

The total number of people divided by the total land area.

Arable Land

Land that is suitable and capable of being cultivated to grow crops.

Population Center

The geographic point that represents the average position or center of mass of a population.

Centroid

The geographic or geometric center point of a defined region or spatial distribution.

Ecumene

The portion of Earth's surface permanently occupied and inhabited by human settlement.