Geographers study population to discover two things, the “where” and the “why.” Geographers study where population is distributed. Then they turn their attention to explaining why populations are located where they are and at what rate they are growing or shrinking.

• Political Impacts- Adequate political system, needs are met (voting and representation), health care and transportation.

• Economic Impacts- Enough jobs, enough people to fill available jobs, are the jobs available in places that people are in?

• Social Impacts- Enough hospitals, enough schools, resources for pensions and elder-care.

Carrying capacity is the relationship between a population size and the amount of resources available.

2.2 IMPORTANT VOCABULARY

Redistricting- Boundary adjustments which usually result in physically smaller urban districts and larger rural districts

Infrastructure- Refers to the facilities and structures that allows people to carry out their typical activities

Overpopulation- Having more people than it can support, is partially dependent on its population distribution and density

Carrying Capacity- The number of people a region can support without damaging the environment