Introduction & Case Study (P. 44-47)

Ch. 2: Population

Introduction & Case Study (p. 44-47)

1. Why is the study of population so critical?

1. What characteristics of population are important to demography?

1. Describe what overpopulation looks like at a local or regional level.

1. Case Study: Why is India’s rapid population growth both an asset AND a challenge?

Key Issue #1: Where Is the World’s Population Distributed? (p. 47-53)

1. List the 4 major world population clusters in order of size, beginning with the largest.

1. Study figure 2-1. How does the population cartogram alter the size and shape of countries?

1. Give examples that illustrate the importance of water access, favorable climate, and latitude on the world’s population distribution.

1. Complete the following chart:

1. What is ecumene, and why has it increased over time?

1. Describe the location of deserts on the globe AND give examples of major deserts.

1. Why are deserts generally avoided AND how have people made deserts more hospitable?

1. Where are wet lands generally found AND why are they typically avoided?

1. Why are cold lands typically avoided?

1. Why are high lands typically avoided? Why are some high areas preferred AND give examples.

1. Why is arithmetic density useful for geographers?

1. What is the importance of physiological density? What can be learned by comparing arithmetic density to physiological for the same location or country?

1. How is agricultural density different from physiological? What does comparing the two help geographers learn about an area?

Key Issue #2: Where Has the World’s Population Increased? (p. 53-57)

1. How is the Natural Increase Rate (NIR) computed?

1. What has happened to the NIR in the last half-century?

1. Approximately how many people are currently added to world population each year?

1. Where is most natural increase occurring worldwide?

1. What is Total Fertility Rate (TFR) AND where is it the highest?

1. What is Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) AND where is it the highest?

1. What is Life Expectancy AND where is it the highest?

1. Complete the chart by indicating each as either LOW or HIGH:

Key Issue #3: Why Is Population Increasing at Different Rates in Different Countries? (p. 57-67)

1. What is the Demographic Transition?

1. Complete the following chart of the Demographic Transition using HIGH, MODERATE, or LOW:

1. Describe the conditions of a country in Stage 1 of the Demographic Transition.

1. What can cause the CDR to drop, allowing a country to enter Stage 2?

1. Describe how the Industrial Revolution contributed to the beginning of Stage 2 in Europe & North America.

1. Describe how countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa entered Stage 2.

1. What societal changes must occur for a country to reach Stage 3?

1. What is ZPG and how is it reached?

1. What societal changes have occurred to push countries into Stage 4?

1. Describe possible Stage 5 and Stage 6 of the Demographic Transition.

1. How are Stages 1 & 4 similar and how are they different?

1. How has England’s population changed since 1750?

1. What is a population pyramid and what influences the shape of the pyramid?

1. What is the dependency ratio? How is the ratio vastly different in African countries versus European countries?

1. What is the sex ratio?

1. Study Figure 2-16 on page 63. Why are the population pyramid shapes of Unalaska, AK; Lawrence, KS; and Naples, FL so different than the USA pyramid?

1. Give examples of regions and/or countries in each stage of the Demographic Transition:

Stage 1:

Stage 2:

Stage 3:

Stage 4:

Stage 5:

1. Read Contemporary Geographic Tools on p. 65. What is the census? Why is accurate & full participation in the census so important?

1. Read Global Forces, Local Impacts on p. 67. Why is Japan’s projected population decline a serious issue for Japan? How is Japan addressing the issue?

Key Issue #4: Why Might the World Face an Overpopulation Problem? (p. 67-76)

1. Explain Thomas Malthus’s theory on population growth relative to food supply.

1. How do Neo-Malthusians suggest that Malthus was correct and/or that reality may be worse than Malthus predicted?

1. In what ways do critics disagree with Malthus?

1. Explain which is occurring: world overpopulation or regional/local overpopulation.

1. What has actually happened to population growth and food supply since Malthus’s predictions and why?

1. What 2 major strategies are used for reducing CBR? What challenges exist for each of these options?

1. What is the epidemiologic transition? How does it relate to the Demographic Transition?

1. Complete the chart:

1. What regions & countries have been hit hardest by HIV/AIDS?