Chapter 2 Key Issue 1

What are the four largest population clusters?

East Asia, South Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia

What type of characterisitcs do the 4 main clusters share?

Low-lying areas, fertile soil, temperate climates, easy access to an ocean

How many of the world's inhabitants live in the 4 clusters?

2/3's

How many of the world's people live in East Asia?

1/4

What are some countries in East Asia?

Eastern China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, Taiwan

What is the most populous country and the fourth largest in land area?

The People's Republic of China

Where is China's popultion clustered?

Near the Pacific Coast and in fertile river valleys

How many of China's people live in rural areas and work as farmers?

More than 1/2

How many of Japan's and Korea's people live in urban areas at industrial or service jobs?

More than 3/4's

How many of the world's people live in South Asia?

Nearly 1/4

What are some countries in South Asia?

India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka

Where are the largest concentrations in South Asia?

900 mile corridor from Pakistan to the Bay of Bengal; India's two long coastlines and the plains of the Gangus and Indus rivers

Where do South Asians usually live and work?

Most are farmers in rural areas

How many countries does Europe have?

4 dozen

What is the largest country in the world?

Russia, when it's Asian part is included

How many of Europe's people live in cities? How many are farmers?

3/4's; less than 10%

Where are the highest concentrations in Europe?

Near major rivers, coalfields, and historic capital cities

How many people live in Southeast Asia?

Around 600 million, mainly on islands

What is the fourth most populous country?

Indonesia

Where is the largest population concentration in Southeast Asia?

Java, Philippines, Indochina

Do people mainly live in rural or urban cities in Southeast Asia?

Rural

What are the two sprouting clusters?

Eastern North America and west Africa

What is the most populous country in Africa?

Nigeria

Where do most West Africans work?

In agriculture

Ecumene

the portion of Earth's surface occupied by permanent human settlement

What are the 4 sparsely population regions?

Dry lands, wet lands, cold lands, high lands

Characterisitics of dry lands

Lack water to grow enough crops, have much of the world's oil reserves

Characterisitics of wet lands

Located near the equator, deplete nutrients from the soil

Characterisitics of cold lands

Near the poles, covered with permafrost, unsuitable for crops and animals

Characterisitics of high lands

Too steep, mainly only populated in low latitudes

What are the 3 types of density?

Arithmetic, physiological, agricultural

Arithmetic density

population÷land area; answers the "where" question

Physiological Density

population÷arable land area; shows the amount of stress on land

Agricultural Density

farmers÷arable land area; shows the effiency of farmers