AP Human Geo Vocab (10/16)

Demography

The study of human populations

Population Density

The number of people per unit of area

Population Distribution

The pattern of where people live

Economic Factors of Population Distribution Level of Development

Areas with higher levels of economic development (economic activity based in services rather than natural resource extraction or manufacturing) can attract larger populations

Economic Factors of Population Distribution Infrastructure

Areas with better or more accessible infrastructure (transportation, energy, water, sanitation) can attract larger populations

Economic Factors of Population Distribution Employment Opportunities

Areas with more employment opportunities attract more people

● Areas that have a higher concentration of industry attract more people

● Areas with favorable salaries and taxation can attract more people

Economic Factors of Population Distribution Availability of natural resources

Areas with a greater availability of natural resources can attract more people to an area

Social Factors of Population Distribution crime rates + safety

Areas that are safer (less crime, corruption, natural disasters, etc.) can attract larger populations

Social Factors of Population Distribution Presence of Religious Sites

Areas near important sacred sites (ex. Jerusalem for Christians/Jews/Muslims, Varanasi for Hindus, etc.) can be more densely populated

Social Factors of Population Distribution Persecution

Areas where people have more rights and freedoms can attract more people than places where there is a higher degree of injustice and persecution.

Social Factors of Population Distribution Culture and History

Areas that have greater cultural or historical significance can attract larger populations.

Political Factors of Population Distribution Public Services

Places with better public services (education, healthcare, etc.) can attract larger populations.

PoliticalFactors of Population Distribution War and Conflict

Areas that experience war or large-scale conflict and violence tend to have less population density.

Political Factors of Population Distribution Government Installations

The presence of things such as military bases, government offices, or the seat of government can lead to more population density in an area.

Environmental Factors of Population Distribution Natural Features

● Mountainous areas or areas with dense vegetation tend to have less dense populations than flat areas with less dense vegetation

● Places with access to water (freshwater for drinking or water for navigation) tend to have denser populations

Environmental Factors of Population Distribution Climate

Areas with extreme (hot or cold) climates tend to have less dense populations than those with more moderate climate conditions

Environmental Factors of Population Distribution Fertile vs Infertile Land

Areas with fertile land suitable for growing crops tend to have higher population densities than areas with arid or infertile land

Economic Impacts of Population Availability of Workers

Areas with low population density have a smaller pool of workers to draw from and thus tend to have less production capabilities and overall economic power

Economic Impacts of Population Declining Economic Growth

Areas with low population density are more vulnerable to economic decline if their populations are not replaced as workers age and retire

Economic Impacts of Population Uneven Development

If one area of a country has a higher population density than others, more government funds will be allocated there, leading to more development there and less development elsewhere

Social Impacts of Population Culture Clash

Areas with denser populations tend to be more diverse, which can lead to ethnic or culture clash in some instances

Social Impacts of Population Housing Availability

Areas with higher population density tend to have challenges when it comes to housing that population (availability, affordability)

Social Impacts of Population Public Transportation

Areas with higher population densities can have more extensive public transportation systems but high population density also places more strain on those systems

Political Impacts of Population Provision of Services

It can be more difficult for governments to provide their citizens with public services (education, medical care) in places with denser populations

Political Impacts of Population Need for New Laws

There may be a need for the creation of new laws (land ownership, resource allocation, environmental protections, etc.) in areas with high population density

Political Impacts of Population Political Movements

Areas with high population densities can be more diverse, leading to new ways of thinking and new political movements

Environmental Impacts of Population Carrying Capacity

Carrying Capacity → The largest number of people that the environment of a particular area can support.

● If carrying capacity is exceeded, natural resources will be depleted

Environmental Impacts of Population Loss of Habitats

To meet the needs of an area with high population density, physical expansion is often needed and leads to the destruction of natural habitats and a loss of biodiversity

Environmental Impacts of Population Pollution

Areas that have higher population density have higher rates of pollution (more emissions from transportation and manufacturing, deforestation for expansion, etc.)