Unit 2: Population

AP Human Geography

Essential (Big) Questions

• Where do people live and why do they live where they do?

• In which regions is population increasing or decreasing?

• Why does population increase or decrease at different rates in different countries?

• What are the implications of over and under population?

Critical Issues in Population Geography

• More people are alive today than at any other time in human history (7 billion +)

• The world’s population increased at a faster rate during the second half of the twentieth century than ever before.

• Virtually all population growth today occurs in less developed countries (LDCs)

• Higher population puts a greater strain on the earth’s resources.

Key Concept: Demography

• The scientific study of population characteristics.

• Includes the study of the size, structure and distribution of population, and spatial and/or temporal changes in them in response to birth, migration, aging, and death.

• The size, structure, and growth of a countries population can affect it’s well-being.

Key Concept: Population Density• Population of a place divided

by total area– 10,000,000 people living in

1,000,000 sq. miles would be a population density of ____ per sq. mile (arithmetic density)

• However, population is not evenly distributed and density does not remain constant.

• Urban areas tend to have higher population density whereas rural areas tend to be less dense.

High Population Density

Low Population Density

Key Concept: Population Distribution

• Where is population distributed across an the earth?

• Major population clusters (2/3 of world pop)– East Asia (China, Japan)– South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh)– Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Philippines)– Europe (England, Germany, France)

Dot Maps

Global Population Distribution

Figure 2-2

Global Population Cartogram

Why did people live in certain places?

• The ECUMENE= the places on earth that people inhabit.– 75% of humans live on 5% of Earth’s surface.

• Historically, populations tend to be clustered in areas where:– Food could be grown (arable land)– Fresh water was available–Access/travel was relatively easy

Kaylan’s Question

• Could everyone on Earth live in Russia?• Theoretically, YES!• 7 billion people/ 6,592,800 sq. mi.= a

population density of 1,061/sq. mi.• For reference, the density of CHI is 11,864/sq.

mi

Cities by Population Density

• Manila, Philippines: 111,000/sq. mi.• NYC, USA: 27,500/ sq. mi.• Tokyo, Japan: 16,000/sq. mi.• CHI, USA: 11,864/sq. mi.• Palatine, IL, USA: 5,034/sq. mi• Ellsworth, MI, USA: 485/sq. mi

Facts About Population Distribution

• 90% live north of the Equator (more land)• 80% live in poorer LDC’s (Latin America, Asia,

Africa)• Most live close to sea level• 2/3 live close to oceans…those who live inland

live near rivers or lakes.• 50% live in urban areas, 50% in rural– For the 1st time in history, more live in urban areas.

WHY?

Sparsely populated regions• People generally avoid:

•Dry lands•Wet lands•Cold lands•High lands•People with bad breath