Know and Be Able to Unit 2.docx

Key Concepts and Terminology

Population Concepts

• Population Agricultural Density: The number of people per unit area of arable land.

• Doubling Time: The period it takes for a population to double in size.

• Neo-Malthusian: Modern theories that advocate for population control to prevent resource depletion.

• Anti-Natalist Policy: Policies aimed at reducing birth rates (e.g., China's One Child Policy).

• Ecumene: The inhabited land of the world.

• Old Age Dependency Ratio: The ratio of older dependents to the working-age population.

• Water Accessibility: The ease with which populations can obtain fresh water.

• Arable Land: Land suitable for growing crops.

• Epidemic: A sudden outbreak of a disease affecting many individuals at once.

• Urbanization: The increasing population shift from rural to urban areas.

Population Density and Distribution

• Arithmetic Population Density: Total population divided by total land area.

• Physiological Density: Total population divided by the area of arable land.

• Carrying Capacity: Maximum population size an environment can sustainably support.

• Fertility: The ability to conceive children; typically measured by birth rates.

• Overpopulation: When a population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment.

• Child Mortality Rate: The number of deaths of children under five years old per 1,000 live births.

• Genetic Diseases: Disorders caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes.

• Chronic Diseases: Long-lasting conditions that can be controlled but not cured.

• Infant Mortality Rate: The number of deaths in infants under one year old per 1,000 live births.

• Infectious Diseases: Illnesses caused by pathogens that can be transmitted.

Policies and Theories

• Pro-Natalist Policy: Government policies that encourage higher birth rates.

• Malthusian Theory: Theory proposing that population growth will outpace food supply.

• Demographic Transition Model (DTM): A model that describes population changes as a country develops.

Migration Concepts

• Asylum: Protection granted to individuals fleeing persecution.

• Human Trafficking: The illegal trade of humans for exploitation.

• Pull Factors: Conditions that attract people to a new area.

• Push Factors: Conditions that drive people away from their current location.

• Chain Migration: The process where immigrants from a particular area follow others from the same area to a new destination.

• Internally Displaced Persons: People forced to flee their homes but remain within their country.

• Refugee: A person forced to flee their country due to persecution, war, or violence.

• Circular Migration: The temporary movement of people between home and host countries.

• Guest Worker: A person who temporarily works in a country other than their own.

Population Analysis

Influences on Population Distribution

• Physical Factors: Climate, topography, and availability of resources.

• Human Factors: Economic opportunities and cultural factors influencing settlement patterns.

Population Density Measurement

• Methods: Geographers use arithmetic, physiological, and agricultural density to understand population pressures on land resources.

• Impact on Society: High population density can strain services like healthcare and education.

Population Composition Elements

• Age Structure: Breakdown of population by age groups to understand demographic trends.

• Gender Ratio: The ratio of males to females in a population.

• Population Pyramids: Graphical representations that show the age and gender distribution of a population.

Historical Trends in Population

• Growth and decline influenced by fertility, mortality, migration, and socio-economic factors.

• Theories such as DTM and epidemiological transition model help explain demographic shifts.

Population Policies and Their Effects

• Different policies (pro-natalist vs anti-natalist) shape population size and demographic characteristics.

• The role of women in society influences fertility rates, access to education, and healthcare.

Aging Population Consequences

• High elderly dependency ratios can lead to social and economic challenges, including healthcare costs and workforce shortages.