AP Human Geography Study Guide - Unit 2: Population and Migration Patterns and Processes

Unit 2 Big Ideas

• Big Idea 1: Patterns and Spatial Organization

  • The place and manner in which people live significantly impact global culture, politics, and economics.

  • Influences stability, social norms, traditions, and trade relationships.

• Big Idea 2: Impacts and Interactions

  • Environmental, economic, cultural, and political factors interplay to create changes in population and perspectives on society and government.

  • Perceptions may change positively or negatively.

• Big Idea 3: Spatial Processes and Societal Changes

  • Population changes influence economic growth or decline, cultural blending, and political representation and voting patterns.

Population Distribution

• Understanding Human Population Distribution

  • Location and conditions impacting population density, such as:

  • Physical Factors: Climate, landforms, water bodies.

  • Human Factors: Cultural, economic, historical, and political influences.

• Definitions:

  • Population Distribution: Measurement of how a population is spread in an area.

  • Population Density: Number of people per unit area.

  • Ecumene: Habitable areas of the world.

• Settlements:

  • People tend to settle where there are:

  • Low elevation, fertile soil, temperate climate, and proximity to water.

  • Less likely to settle in areas that are:

  • Too hot, cold, wet, hilly, or dry.

Methods of Calculating Population Density

• Population Density Calculation Methods:

  • Arithmetic: Population divided by the total land area.

  • Does not consider uneven population distribution.

  • Physiological: Population divided by arable land.

  • Indicates the pressure on food-producing land.

  • Agricultural: Farmers per unit of arable land.

  • Assesses economic development and farming efficiency.

Effects of Population Distribution and Density

• Population distribution and density affect:

  • Political Processes: Redistricting, service provision.

  • Economic Opportunities: Job availability, infrastructure accessibility.

  • Social Services: Access to healthcare and other essential services.

Population Composition

• Elements of Population Composition:

  • Patterns of age structure and sex ratio vary across regions.

  • Population Pyramids: Illustrate age and sex distribution, aiding predictions of market trends.

• Key Terms:

  • Cohorts: Groups of people with similar ages.

  • Sex Ratio: Ratio of males to females in a population.

  • Birth Deficit: Period of low birth rates.

  • Baby Boom: Period of increased birth rates following a decline.

Aging Population

• Causes and Consequences of Aging Population:

  • Determined by birth and death rates, life expectancy.

  • Dependency Ratio: Ratio of dependents (under 15 and over 65) to the workforce (ages 15-64).

  • Political Impact: The elderly are often more politically active.

Population Growth and Decline

• Crude Birth Rate (CBR): Live births per 1,000 people per year.

• Total Fertility Rate (TFR): Average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.

• Population Dynamics:

  • NIR (Natural Increase Rate) = CBR - CDR / 10.

  • Migration has a critical role in altering population size.

Theories of Population Change

• Demographic Transition Model (DTM):

  • Stages explain population transition from high birth and death rates to low rates.

    • Stage 1 (Pre-Industrial): Characterized by high birth and death rates, leading to a stable population. Diseases, famines, and lack of healthcare contribute to high mortality.

    • Stage 2 (Transitional): Death rates decline due to improvements in healthcare and sanitation, while birth rates remain high, resulting in rapid population growth.

    • Stage 3 (Industrial): Birth rates begin to decline as access to contraception increases and societal norms change. The population continues to grow but at a slowing rate.

    • Stage 4 (Post-Industrial): Both birth and death rates are low, leading to a stabilizing population. Higher levels of education and employment for women correlate with lower fertility rates.

    • Stage 5 (Possible Decline): Some countries may experience declining populations due to very low birth rates, leading to concerns about aging populations and economic sustainability.

  Epidemiological Transition Model:

  • Correlates shifts in population health and disease prevalence with the DTM

    • Stage 1: Infectious diseases predominate, with high mortality rates impacting population growth.

    • Stage 2: Death rates decline primarily due to improvements in public health and nutrition; infectious diseases are still common but less deadly.

    • Stage 3: Degenerative diseases (such as heart disease and cancer) become more common as lifespan increases, leading to more deaths from chronic illnesses.

    • Stage 4: Continued emergence of chronic diseases, but advancements in healthcare improve quality of life and reduce mortality.

    • Stage 5: Potential re-emergence of infectious diseases (due to antibiotics resistance or new pathogens), as well as lifestyle diseases due to an aging population.

  Malthusian Theory:

  • Proposed by Thomas Malthus, it suggests that population grows exponentially while food production grows arithmetically.

    • Key Concepts: Population tends to increase in geometric progression (1, 2, 4, 8…), while agricultural production increases linearly (1, 2, 3, 4…). This imbalance can lead to food shortages.

    • Checks on Population Growth: Malthus identified positive checks (famine, disease, war) that increase mortality rates and preventive checks (moral restraint, delayed marriage) that lower birth rates.

    • Controversy: Critics argue that technological advancements in agriculture and food production can sustain population growth.

Migration Patterns

• Types of Migration:

  • Forced Migration: Includes slavery and situations producing refugees.

  • Voluntary Migration: Based on personal choices for economic or social betterment.

• Push Factors: Negative reasons prompting migration.

• Pull Factors: Positive attractions of a new area.

Effects of Migration

• Cultural, Economic, and Political Effects:

  • Migration affects population size, composition, and economic conditions.

  • Creates ethnic enclaves and influences public policy and economy.

• Guest Worker Policies and Family Reunification Programs illustrate modern demographic adjustments.

• Xenophobia and Brain Drain: Implications of migration affecting societal attitudes and professional resource distribution respectively.