Download Chapter One

An Introduction to Human Geography
The Cultural Landscape, 9e
James M. Rubenstein
Chapter 2
Population
Victoria Alapo, Instructor
Geog 1050
Distribution of World Population
• Population concentrations
– The four largest population clusters (see
text). Pg 47-49.
– Other population clusters
• Sparsely populated regions
– Dry lands
– Wet lands
– Cold lands
– Highlands
• Population density (discussed later)
– Arithmetic density
– Physiological density/ Agricultural density
World Population Cartogram
This cartogram displays countries by the size of their population rather than their land area.
(Only countries with 50 million or more people are named.) Pg 47
World Population Distribution
World population is very unevenly distributed across the Earth’s surface and it can be
compared to climate distribution.
Arithmetic Population Density
Arithmetic population density is the number of people per total land area or per square mile/km.
The highest densities are found in parts of Asia and Europe.
Physiological Density
Physiological density is the number of people per arable land area. This is a good measure of the
relation between population and agricultural resources in a society.
Crude Birth Rates
The crude birth rate (CBR) is the total number of births in a country per 1,000 population per year.
The lowest rates are in Europe, and the highest rates are in Africa and several Asian countries.
Crude Death Rates
The crude death rate (CDR) is the total number of deaths in a country per 1,000 population per year.
Because wealthy countries are in a late stage of the demographic transition, they often have a higher
CDR than poorer countries – more older people than younger people.
Natural Increase Rates
The natural increase rate is the percentage growth or decline in the population of a country per year
(not including net migration). i.e. natural increase or decrease is the difference btw birth and deaths.
Countries in Africa and Southwest Asia have the highest current rates, while Russia and some European
countries have negative rates.
Total Fertility Rates
The Total fertility rate (TFR) is the number of children an average woman in a society will have
through her childbearing years. The lowest rates are in Europe, and the highest are in Africa
and parts of the Middle East, due mainly to Social Reasons. In traditional societies,
CHILDREN take care of their parents, not Social Security.
Infant Mortality Rates
The infant mortality rate is the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births per year. The highest
infant mortality rates are found in some of the poorest countries of Africa and Asia.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn infant can expect to live. The highest
life expectancies are generally in the wealthiest countries, and the lowest in the poorest countries.
Variations in Population Growth
• The Demographic Transition Stages
– 1. Low growth
– 2. High growth
– 3. Moderate growth
– 4. Low growth
• Countries are in different stages of
demographic transition, which can be shown
with the aid of “population pyramids”.
• Population pyramids
– Shows age distribution & gender ratio (see slides)
The Demographic Transition
The demographic transition consists of four stages. See text, pg 58, Fig 2-13.
Population growth is most rapid in the second stage.
Population Pyramids
– This is a graphic device showing the age and
sex structure of a population. See pyramid
showing “high growth” (below).
Population Pyramids
• Pyramids also help to show the “dependency
ratio”:
– Which calculates the proportion of the population of
working age to the non-working age. See pyramids.
– The dep. ratio is when you compare the ratio of the
combined pop. of children less than 15 yrs and
elderly over 64, to the pop. of those btw 15 & 64 yrs
(working age).
– The larger the % of dependents, the greater the
dependency ratio and financial burden – rich
countries have too many old; poor countries have
too many young (see slides).
Population Pyramids in U.S. Cities
Population pyramids can vary greatly, with different fertility rates (Laredo vs. Honolulu), or among
military bases (Unalaska), college towns (Lawrence), and retirement communities (Naples). See textbook.
Will the World Face an
Overpopulation Problem?
• Thomas Malthus on overpopulation
– His theory on population growth and food
supply (geometric vs. arithmetic progression)
– Malthus’ critics: the “Cornucopians”
• Declining birth rates
– Malthus theory and reality
– Reasons for declining birth rates
Food and Population, 1950–2000
Malthus vs. Actual Trends
Malthus predicted population would grow faster than food production, but food production actually
expanded faster than population in the second half of the twentieth century. Why?
Food Supplies Over the Last 200 Years
(Affected Malthus’ Prediction)
• Malthus’ prediction
• Technological advances:
• Green revolution
• New crops
– Transplants and genetic engineering
• New cropland
– New lands opened by irrigation
• Transportation and storage
– Faster refrigerated modern methods
– Improved storage protects against spoilage and pests