Internet Population Assignment Using the Population

INTERNET POPULATION ASSIGNMENT USING THE POPULATION
REFERENCE BUREAU WEBSITE (10)

Go to the Population Reference Bureau's website ( and answer the following questions in your lab notebook. The website’s 2008 World Population Data Sheet may be of use. Look around at the various links. When you come across a population term, like “infant mortality rate”, be sure to define it.

1. Look at the map at the bottom of this sheet and find circle "A". How does the population inside the circle compare to that of the rest of the world? In other words, what percent of the total world population lives inside the circle?
2. Circle "A" represents what percent of the earth's land surface?
3. Which of the world's ten most populated countries are inside circle "A"?
4. How does the population of India compare to that of the Americas (North America, Central America, and South America combined)?
5. How does the population density of India compare to that of the Americas?
6. Which three of the five most populated countries on earth are close to the same size of each other? Please list their population densities going from the highest to the lowest.
7. Which continent has the lowest population density?
8. Which two regions of the world have the highest fertility rates?
9. What percent of the total population in Germany is in the economically productive age group of 15 to 64? How does this compare to the economically productive age group in Tanzania?
10. Which country has the highest infant mortality rate? Which country has the lowest infant mortality rate?
11. Which country has the "youngest" population, that is, the highest proportion of population under age 15? Which country has the "oldest" population? That is, the highest proportion of population over age 65?
12. In which country are people expected to live the longest? Which country has the lowest life expectancy?
13. In which African country does the highest proportion of people live in urban areas?
14. China and India are the two most populated countries on earth. Please figure out how many people each of these countries is adding to their populations each year after subtracting for deaths (growth rate times total population).
15. Based upon the data you’ve gathered, prioritize the countries with the most significant population and/or population-environmental problems. Give a brief explanation for your list.

In your analysis, only use countries within the circle.

16. The term “urban sprawl” describes the expansion of cities into rural areas. This phenomenon has occurred around the world and has had economic, health, and environmental consequences.

(a) Describe TWO causes of urban sprawl.

(b) Discuss TWO human health effects associated with urban sprawl.

(c) The graph below shows the relationship between population density and petroleum use in selectcities. Describe the relationship between population density and petroleum use shown in the graph.

(d) Smart growth focuses on ways to encourage sustainable urban development. Describe TWO steps a municipality could take to encourage smart growth in order to limit urban sprawl.

(e) Highway systems and urban sprawl often threaten wildlife populations. Describe TWO methods to reduce harmful effects on wildlife populations from highways and urban sprawl.

(f) Urban sprawl often results in the loss of productive agricultural land near cities. Describe one practical way to increase food production within urban areas.

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