Unit four Human Geography

Population What is population? Geographers use the term population to mean the total number of people who live in a specific area. The population of the world today is more than 7 billion people. Question? What factors might have contributed to our increasing population over time?

Population distribution and density Today, the largest populations are found in what are called habitable lands. Habitable lands are lands that are suitable for human living. Geography: Population Only a small portion of the earth’s surface is suitable for humans to settle. Almost 75% of the earth’s surface is water; in addition, between 35-40% of the earth’s land is too hot, too cold, too wet, or too dry to live on, leaving the habitable lands scarce.

Population density Population density shows, on average, how many people are living in a specific size area such as a square mile or square kilometer. Demographers are geographers who study the characteristics of human population. To find population density of a location, add up the total number of people living in an area and divide by the total amount of land they occupy.

What factors influence population distribution? Environmental factors- What type of natural resources are in the area? Does it have oil or fertile land or access to water? What is the climate like? Does it have resources such as transportation and technology?

Population distribution continued Economic factors- What type of economy does it have? Is the economy strong and making money? Political factors- What is the government policy? Are there many conflicts? Is there a rural/urban area?

The geography of population Question: What are some challenges that could result from rapid population growth in an area? Ellis Island New York City

Growth challenges The expanding population creates serious challenges. What do you think are some challenges to the increasing population? NPR: Filling the Gap In some countries, it is difficult to provide the basic needs of food, clean water, and housing. Many people move to the cities to try to make a better life for themselves, but there are not enough materials to build proper shelter or sewers.

Effects of overcrowding Overcrowding: Japan Overcrowding: Nigeria

Population continued Question: What are factors that influence people where to choose to live? Rural vs. Urban: Rural areas are areas that relate to the country or farms. Urban areas refer to cities. Podcast

question Which setting would you prefer to live in and why?

Population Explosion Article The population explosion article sheet you are about to receive has multiple paragraphs. Each paragraph has corresponding questions attached. STEPS FOR READING: ONE: read each paragraph through one time TWO: re-read the paragraph and highlight what you think could be important information to know. THREE: answer the questions to the left of the article FOUR: show me you’ve completed article FIVE: glue into next plank page of notebook

population End of Population Notes

Migration

migration You already know one form of it… Why do animals migrate? Can the reasons for the migration of animals be applied to humans?

What is it? Migration is the process of relocating to a new region. A person who leaves a country is called an emigrant and when they settle in another country they are called an immigrant.

Who are immigrants?

Why do people move from place to place? The reasons for migrating are known as push-pull factors. Push factors cause people to leave an area. They are essentially being pushed out. Pull factors attract people to another area. They are essentially being pulled in by something. The causes of migration are environmental, economic, cultural, or political.

Push factors Environmental Economic Cultural Political Unstable weather (hurricanes, earthquakes, drought) Crop failure Economic High unemployment Poverty Cultural Limits on freedom Slavery Political Escape from war or persecution Forced removal

Pull factors Environmental Economic Cultural Political Stable weather (warmer and safer climates) Abundant resources Economic Job opportunities Create more wealth Cultural Personal freedom (return to homeland) Political More stability/security Fewer wars Push Pull Factors

Push – Pull Factors Push and Pull Factors Use the T-Chart on your notes to tally each time you hear a Push or Pull factor during the video.

Push or pull factor Education Poor Economy Crop Failure Employment Poverty Wealth Fertile Land War Personal Freedom Attractive Climate Lack of Services

Push-pull factors Which factor do you think is most often the cause of migration?

Effects of migration Cultural Economic Political Good: adds diversity (many different ways to think about or do something) More diversity = a stronger region Bad: discrimination / no jobs or housing Economic Good: brings in needed workers and skills Bad: jobs are scarce, limited resources or skills Political Good: contributions that lead to citizenship Bad: viewed as unwanted or dangerous, so treated poorly Migration

Earliest human migration Crash Course: Population and Migration

Migration End of Migration notes.

Rural, suburban, and urban Communities Introduction What did you notice about the rural areas? Suburban areas? Urban areas?

Rural Rural areas are areas that refer to the country or farmland. Rural areas are located outside of cities and towns. Typically, rural areas have a low population density and very small settlements.

Rural Some characteristics of rural areas are: Farm life Habitable lands Small in size Not many choices for entertainment (shopping, movie theaters, schools, etc.) Most people living in a rural area farm the land and cultivate it for the growing of crops or other economic gains. What do you think of when you picture a rural area?

Suburban Suburban areas are residential areas, either existing as part of a city or urban area. Sometimes they are not part of an urban area but are within driving distance of an urban area. Suburban areas are often found around cities that have much surrounding flat and habitable lands.

Suburban Characteristics of a suburban area: Within a short distance of urban areas Lower population density than an urban area, yet a higher population density than in a rural area Single-family homes are more present Within a close distance to shopping malls, and other entertainment venues Land in suburban areas is usually dedicated to more housing. Suburban areas usually house those who work in the urban areas, so suburban areas need more housing to keep up with the demands of jobs in the urban areas. What do you picture when you picture a suburban area? Some examples?

Urban Urban areas refer to cities. Urban areas are characterized by a higher population density and many more human features than surrounding areas. Some urban areas in the US include: New York City, NY Los Angeles, CA Dallas, TX Detroit, MI San Diego, CA Pittsburgh, PA Seattle, WA

Urban Characteristics of an urban area: Much larger in size than a rural area Population density is much higher than in rural areas Most people will make use of public transportation (taxi cabs, buses, light rail, etc.) More opportunities for various jobs Most people in an urban area live in high-rise apartments. There isn’t enough room on the ground to spread out, so they move up! What do you picture when you imagine an urban area?

Rural, Urban, Suburban Top Urban Cities In the next few slides, identify whether the projected image is rural, urban, or suburban land.

Target practice Know the symbol? Think of it as an outline of a certain area: urban, suburban, rural.