Human Population Growth Trends
Directions: Using the population information found on the previous page, plot the populations of the given countries on the map below for the year 1950.
Human Population Growth Trends
Directions: Using the population information found on the previous page, plot the populations of the given countries on the map below for the year 2006.
Human Population Growth Trends
Name: ______Date: ______Period: ______
Background: As you know, the human population has changed dramatically over time. Many factors contribute to the human population growth trends. Medicine, disease, war, and natural disasters are just some of the factors influencing human population growth. According the US Census (www.census.gov), the current US population is 301 139 947 people and growing. How have world populations changed over time? What factors have contributed to the rapid increase in human population growth? Will humans exceed the carrying capacity in your lifetime? Only time will tell.
Directions: You will be provided with a set of data for various countries around the world in two different years, 1950 and 2006. Using the given data, you will complete the following activities:
1. Given: 1 cm = 10 000 000 people. Determine how many cm will be required to draw a bar representing the population for each country and record this data in your data table.
2. Draw a different colored bar from each country using the appropriate data to represent the population of each country. Use your data table as a key for each color for each country.
3. You will complete this for both 1950 and 2006.
Then…
4. With the 2006 set of data, you will find a chart that provides you with 2006 population numbers and percentages by age of males and females in the United States. Using this information you will construct an age-structure diagram for the United States.
5. With the 2006 set of data you will find a chart that provides you with 2006 population numbers and percentages by age of males and females in China. Using this information you will construct an age-structure diagram for China.
Finally…
6. Using all of your data from the tables, maps and constructed age diagrams, you will need to respond to the discussion questions at the end of this activity.
United States Age Structure Chart (2006) China Age Structure Chart (2006)
Total Males in the Population = 141 274 964
Total Females in the Population = 147 103 173
Age Range (year) / % Male / % Female0—14 / 22.01 / 20.20
15—64 / 70.80 / 68.28
65 and over / 7.14 / 11.52
Age Range (year) / % Male / % Female
0—14 / 11.14 / 9.83
15—64 / 63.93 / 43.90
65 and over / 24.93 / 46.27
Country / 1950 Population Number / 2006 Population Number
United States / 152 271 000 / 301 139 947
China / 562 579 779 / 1 321 851 888
Japan / 83 805 000 / 127 467 972
India / 369 880 000 / 1 129 866 154
Russia / 101 936 816 / 142 893 540
Brazil / 53 443 075 / 190 010 647
Nigeria / 31 796 939 / 135 031 164
United Kingdom / 50 127 000 / 60 776 238
Germany / 68 374 572 / 82 400 996
Mexico / 28 485 180 / 108 700 891
Data:
Country / Number of (cm) for 1950 / Number of (cm) for 2006United States
China
Japan
India
Russia
Brazil
Nigeria
United Kingdom
Germany
Mexico
Discussion Questions:
1. What do you observe about the population distribution on the 1950 map? Make at least 5 observations.
2. What do you observe about the population distribution on the 2006 map? Make at least 5 observations.
3. What limiting factors may be affecting the world population growth in each year? Classify each factor you identify as either density-dependent or density-independent. Think about the historical context of each year and provide at least 4 of each type of factor for each year.
4. What kind of growth do you think will occur in each country in the next 50 years? What predictions can you make?
5. Look at your age structure diagrams. What are some similarities between China and the USA? What are some differences?
6. What do the age structure diagrams tell you about these countries?
7. Do you think the human population will reach the carrying capacity of Earth? Support your response using information from this lab.