AP Human Geography: Population & Migration - The Night Before 🌃

Hey! Let's get you prepped and confident for tomorrow's exam. We're going to break down Population and Migration, making sure you're ready to ace it! Remember, you've got this! 💪

🌎 Introduction: Why Do People Live Where They Do?

There are over 7 billion people on Earth, and understanding where they live and why is key to AP Human Geography. We'll explore factors influencing population distribution, density, and movement. Let's dive in!

Unit Preview:

• Why are there so many people in China and India?
• What factors cause people to live in certain areas rather than others?
• Why do people move from place to place?
• Why do so many migrants come from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia?
• Why has the world population grown so rapidly in the last century?
• Why do migrants move to developed regions such as Europe or North America?
• How do density and spatial distribution affect where people live?

🏞️ Factors Influencing Population Distribution

Physical Factors 🌄💪🌅

These are the natural elements that affect where people choose to live:

• Climate: Most people prefer moderate climates, typically found in the midlatitudes (30°N-60°N and 30°S-60°S).
• Fertile Land: Access to arable land for growing food is crucial. Think river valleys and plains.
• Water: Proximity to freshwater sources like rivers and lakes is essential for survival.
• Topography: People tend to settle in low-lying areas rather than high mountains.

Human Factors 👦👧👴👵👲👳

It's not just about resources; people also consider:

• Safety and Security: A stable and secure environment is a major draw.
• Economic Opportunities: Job prospects and economic growth attract people.
• Social Connections: Proximity to family and friends can be a strong pull factor.

📏 Types of Population Density

Demographers use different measures to understand population concentration:

• Arithmetic Density: Total population divided by total land area. (e.g., People per square mile). It's a basic measure, but it doesn't tell the whole story.
• Physiological Density: Total population divided by arable land. This shows the pressure on land for food production.
• Agricultural Density: Number of farmers divided by arable land. This indicates the efficiency of farming; lower density often means more advanced techniques.

⟁ Population Pyramids

Population pyramids are a snapshot of a country's population by age and gender. They reveal a lot about a country's demographics:

• Shape: A wide base indicates high birth rates, while a narrow base suggests lower birth rates.
• Bulges or Indentations: These can indicate past events like wars or baby booms.
• Gender Balance: Differences in the male and female populations can be seen in the pyramid.

Images Courtesy of PopulationPyramid.net

📈 Population Growth and Decline

The Demographic Transition Model (DTM) is your go-to for understanding population changes over time. It has five stages:

1. Stage 1 (High Stationary): High birth and death rates, stable population. (Think: pre-industrial societies)
2. Stage 2 (Early Expanding): High birth rates, declining death rates, rapid population growth. (Think: early industrializing countries)
3. Stage 3 (Late Expanding): Declining birth rates, low death rates, slower population growth. (Think: late industrializing countries)
4. Stage 4 (Low Stationary): Low birth and death rates, stable population. (Think: developed countries)
5. Stage 5 (Declining): Very low birth rates, low death rates, population decline. (Think: some post-industrial countries)

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

📽️ Watch: APHUG - The Demographic Transition

🏃 Why People Move: Migration

Push and Pull Factors

• Push Factors: Reasons why people leave their home country (e.g., war, poverty, lack of opportunities).
• Pull Factors: Reasons why people are attracted to a new country (e.g., job opportunities, safety, family).

📽️ Watch: APHUG - Population Pyramids

📽️ Watch: APHUG - Migration

🎯 Final Exam Focus

Okay, here's what to focus on for the exam:

• DTM Stages: Know the characteristics of each stage and be able to identify where a country fits.
• Population Pyramids: Practice interpreting them and linking them to DTM stages.
• Push and Pull Factors: Be able to identify and explain different examples.
• Density Types: Understand the differences and implications of arithmetic, physiological, and agricultural density.
• Connections: Be ready to connect population concepts with other units, like urbanization and economic development.

The Demographic Transition Model and Population Pyramids are high-value topics. Make sure you understand them thoroughly.

Last-Minute Tips:

• Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if you have time.
• Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of the questions.
• Use Examples: When writing FRQs, use specific examples to support your points.
• Stay Calm: You've prepared well. Take a deep breath and trust your knowledge.

Practice Question

Practice Questions

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. A country with a high agricultural density likely has: (a) A large number of farmers relative to arable land (b) A small number of farmers relative to arable land (c) A high level of industrialization (d) A low birth rate

2. Which stage of the Demographic Transition Model is characterized by high birth rates and rapidly declining death rates? (a) Stage 1 (b) Stage 2 (c) Stage 3 (d) Stage 4

3. Which of the following is NOT a typical pull factor for migration? (a) Job opportunities (b) Political instability (c) Family reunification (d) Better healthcare

Free Response Question (FRQ):

Question:

Explain how the Demographic Transition Model (DTM) can be used to analyze population changes in different countries. Discuss the characteristics of two different stages of the DTM, and provide an example of a country that fits each stage. Finally, discuss one limitation of the DTM.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Explanation of DTM (2 points):
  • 1 point for describing the DTM as a model that shows the shift in birth and death rates over time.
  • 1 point for mentioning that it has multiple stages that reflect different levels of development.
• Characteristics of Two DTM Stages (4 points):
  • 2 points for accurately describing the characteristics of Stage 2 (e.g., high birth rates, declining death rates, rapid population growth).
  • 2 points for accurately describing the characteristics of Stage 4 (e.g., low birth rates, low death rates, stable population).
• Examples of Countries (2 points):
  • 1 point for providing a valid example of a country in Stage 2 (e.g., Afghanistan, Nigeria).
  • 1 point for providing a valid example of a country in Stage 4 (e.g., United States, Japan).
• Limitation of DTM (2 points):
  • 1 point for identifying a limitation (e.g., it doesn't account for migration, doesn't predict future trends perfectly).
  • 1 point for explaining how that limitation affects its accuracy (e.g., migration can drastically alter population growth, the model is based on historical trends).