Unit 1: Introduction to World Geography

Chapter 3: Human Geography

I. The Geography of Population

- 6.5 billion people in the world

- half of the world population lives in Asia

- 2 billion live in just two countries: China and India

- U. S. is the third most populous country: 300 million people (300,000,000)

A. Population Growth

population - the number of people who live in a specified area

- Reasons for Population Growth

- increase in food production

- discoveries in medical science

- improvements in sanitation

*as a result, more babies survived, lived long and healthier lives

1. Measuring Growth

birth rate - the number of births per 1,000 people per year

death rate – the number of deaths per 1,000 people per year

rate of natural increase (RNI) – the death rate subtracted from the birth rate.

a. In Asia, Africa, and South America RNI is higher due to farming.

- They need more children to help with farming

b. In Europe, North America, and Japan RNI is lower

- People live in cities and have fewer children.

2. Growth Challenges

a. Resources are limited and not evenly distributed

b. difficult to provide basic needs: food, clean water, housing

c. If housing can’t be found, people build on the outskirts of the cities called squatter settlements.

d. Squatter settlements lack clean water, sewers, or paved roads.

B. Population Distribution and Density

- Choice of where to live is partly affected by climate, elevation, and resources: fertile soil and fresh water

habitable lands – lands suitable for human living

1. Poplulation Distribution

population density – the average number of people who live in a certain area

a. 75% of the earth is water

b. 35% to 40% to hot, to0 cold, too wet, or too dry

c. Most people live in the Northern Hemisphere between 20 degrees North and 60 degrees North.

d. Fewer people live in the Southern Hemisphere: less land avail.

e. Coasts are more heavily populated than the interior

f. People live near coasts and river valleys

g. 2/3 of the world population live within 300 miles of ocean water

2. Rural vs. Urban

urban – relating to, or located in, a city

rural – relating to the country or farming

urbanization – the process of city development

a. ½ of the world pop. Lives in urban areas (cities and suburbs)

b. By 2030, experts believe 60% of pop. will live in urban areas

3. Population Density

demographers – a geographer who studies the characteristics of human populations

a. One of the most densely populated countries is Bangladesh (South Asia) over 1900 people per sq. mile.

b. Average pop. density of the planet is 113 people per sq. mile (statistics are deceiving because it is an average)

c. U.S. pop. Density is about 30 people per sq. mile.

d. Alaska is 1.1 people per sq. mile.