What is Migration?

Migration The movement of people from one place to another Movement speeds the diffusion of ideas and innovations It intensifies spatial interaction and transforms regions It is closely linked to environmental conditions

Movement Movement takes many forms All movement involves leaving home Mobility can be local or global All movement involves leaving home There are three types of movement that vary based on time away from home Cyclic Movement Periodic Movement Migration

Cyclic Movement Involves journeys that take us away from home, but then bring us back Daily movement within an area is called an activity space North American activity spaces are much larger than African or Southwest Asian spaces

Commuting Commuters practice cyclic movement The average North American travels more daily than the average Chinese villager does in a year Commutes can range from a few minutes, to hours Transportation speeds vary as well

Seasonal Movement Movement that occurs based on changing weather patterns and environmental conditions of the seasons Example: seasonal travelers that flee the northern winters for the southern states

Nomadism Nomadism is a matter of survival, tradition, and culture Nomads are usually found in Southwest Asia and Africa Nomadic herders usually follow the same routes year after year They need to know where to find food, water, and shelter as the seasons change

Periodic Movement Also involves returning home, but people that practice this type of movement are away for longer periods of time Migrant workers are examples of people that practice periodic movement

Transhumance A specialized form of periodic movement This is a system of pastoral farming where ranchers move animals according to the seasonal availability of pastures

Other forms of Periodic Movement Going away to college Typically lasts nine months Military Service Can last years

Migration A permanent relocation across significant distances It can involve the movement of an individual, household, or larger group

International Migration Movement across country borders (also called external migration) When a migrant leaves a home country, they are considered an emigrant (Exits) Subtracts from the total population of a country When the same migrant enters a new country, they are considered an immigrant (In) Adds to the total population of a country

Internal Migration Most migration in North America is internal Internal Migration refers to migration within a country’s borders Most North American migration is toward the South and West The US population is the most mobile in the world Most Americans move once every six years

Rural to Urban Migration The world’s rural to urban balance is now mostly urban Moving from an urban area to a neighboring smaller town is called suburbanization Moving from an urban area to a rural area is called counterurbanization This is becoming a trend with the DINKs (Dual Income-No Kids )