James Leigh, University of Nicosia Tracy Bucco Cultural Geography

Population Part 1 Crowd,

This lecture’s reading Rubenstein, J. (2005), The Cultural Landscape: An Introduction to Human Geography, Latest Edition, Saddle River, Prentice Hall. –Chapter: Population Fellman, J. Getis, A. and Getis, J. (2005), Human Geography: Landscapes of Human Activities, Latest Edition, New York, McGraw-Hill. –Chapter: Populations: World Patterns, Regional Trends

Preview summary MDCs: –low birth rates lead to –aging and –slowly growing population –only partly offset by immigration LDCs: –high birth rates lead to –young and rapidly growing population –which siphons off any economic surplus –and exhausts the economic ability of the country to supply a life of wellbeing to its people –(Corruption and lack of organization and infrastructure are also huge problems) (Tracy Bucco)

Some global facts More people alive now than ever – 6.5 billion people In last half of the 20 th century world populations increased rapidly Virtually all global population growth is concentrated LDCs MDCs have stable or shrinking populations World pockets of over- and under- population

Population concentrations 75% world population live on 5% of earth’s surface World population clusters in 5 areas: –East Asia –South Asia –Southeast Asia –Western Europe –Eastern Nth America On the population cartogram country size is related to population Population cartogram,

Population density,

Where do they live? ~ 88% ~ 12% (Fellmann et al)

Where are the people? Population largely clustered 10 o - 55 o N In low flat areas, near oceans or rivers with good soil Not in dry, polar or highland areas Climates, px?type=image&img=GC Population density,

Sparsely populated areas Humans avoid harsh environments Permanently settled areas are the ecumene: not too wet/dry or too hot/cold or too high or too mountainous The ecumene world area ever increases Ecumene shown in greens  (Rubenstein)

5 hypotheses: where we don’t live 1.Dry 2.Wet (?) 3.Hot 4.Cold 5.High

Sparsely populated areas Dry Lands –20% earth’s surface –Largest areas: 15 o -50 o N, and 20 o -50 o S –N Africa and SW and central Asia –Nomads and oil rich, some irrigation Population density, World Deserts,

Sparsely populated areas Wet Lands –Very wet areas are inhospitable –20 o N and S or equator –Interiors of S America, Central Africa, SE Asia –At least 1.25 m and most 2.25 m rainfall –Rain + heat depleted soil, makes agriculture difficult –Rainfall may be seasonal or spread across the year –Seasonal wet lands can grow food, e.g. rice in SE Asia Population density, Humid tropical areas,

Sparsely populated areas Hot lands –N & S Africa –Middle East –Persian Gulf –N Australia –W USA –Many are deserts –Hostile environment –Demands changed behaviour Population density, Hottest deserts,

Sparsely populated areas Cold Lands –N and S poles with extreme cold and permafrost –Polar regions have: Actually little precipitation Can’t crop or have animals Few humans Population density, Cold lands,

Sparsely populated areas High Lands –Steep, snow cover and few people –½ Switzerland is >1,000 m high, only 5% of people live there –Some exceptions: S America and Africa where high altitude living may be more comfortable E.g. Mexico City 2,243 m high, Nairobi 1,800 m high Population density, Relief mag,

Population density: Arithmetic density (Rubenstein)

Population density: Physiological density (Rubenstein)

Agricultural density Agricultural density: Number of farmers for arable land area Tractor,

Population density compared NationArithmetic density Physiological density Agricultural density % farmers % arable Canada Egypt Bangladesh Japan (Bernstein)

Population measurements (Crude) Birth Rate (CBR): –Number of births for 1,000 people in a year CBR,

Contraception,

World abortion laws Abortion laws,

Population measurements (Crude) Death Rate (CDR): –Number of death for 1,000 people in a year CDR,

Population measurements Natural Increase Rate (NIR): –NIR = CBR – CDR –This figure excludes immigration NIR,

Many visual items are used in the course. They have been collected in “notes” over several years. If any items are unreferenced please let us know. We would be happy to give credits. James Leigh, University of Nicosia Tracy Bucco