1. World Geography and Cultures
Population Notes

2. Critical Issues in Population Geography
More people are alive today than at any other time in human history
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)
200 Years in 4 minutes

3. Hong Kong…most densely populated place.

4. Question
How does such a high population density affect the way people live?
Japanese Pushers
Capsule Hotels

5. Street in Ulan Bator, Mongolia…least densely populated country.

6. Density vs. Distribution
Density- high vs. Low
Rapid population growth effects
Carrying Capacity
Distribution- why do people live where they live
Population Density
Average number of people in a unit of area.
Population Distribution
Where people live in a country (crowded cities or spread out in rural areas).
Arithmetic Population Density
Population of a country divided by its total land area.
Physiologic Population Density
Population of a country divided by its arable land area (land suitable for farming).

7. Why Is Population Increasing at Different Rates?
Demographic transition –change in a society’s population
Four stages
Stage 1: Low growth
Agricultural revolution
Stage 2: High growth
Industrial Revolution
Stage 3: Moderate growth
Stage 4: Low growth
Zero population growth (ZPG)

8. Demographic Transition Model (DMT)
Stage one- (Low Growth) Very high birth and death rates produce virtually no long-term natural population increase
Neolithic/nomad era- granny had 10 kids, but 5 died, cheetah attacks a village, everyone runs but granny won’t make it!
Birth rate fluctuates based on environment of the day
Stage two- (High Growth) Rapidly declining death rates and very high birth rates produce very high natural increase
industrial age/urbanization- you have 10 kids, maybe 1 dies, but still thinking like stage one.
Birthrate is high, but not fluctuating as much.
Death rate plummets! Life gets better- food, medicine, weapons, people stay alive!!!
Population explodes. Farmers get tools/tractors and so people move into other jobs- factories! Policeman, lawyers, doctors, civil servants, job specialization.
60/40 rural/urban living
Stage three- (Decreasing Growth) Birth rates rapidly decline, death rates continue to decline, and natural increase rates begin to moderate
50/50 rural/urban living
marriage and children start to get delayed in order to educate women, have less time to have children.
Birth rates drop.
Death rates continue to decline but not as dramatically in stage 2.
Stage Four- (Low Growth) Very low birth and death rates produce virtually no long-term natural increase and possibly a decrease
Women in stage 4 countries often enter the labor force rather than remain at home
Women have wide access to birth control