SOCIAL SCIENCE
LEARNER GUIDE
Definition of population ( population change and development )
KEY CONCEPTS
Ecumene: Areas on the earth’s surface that are densely populated and occupied by permanent
human settlements.
Non-ecumene : Areas on the earth’s surface that are uninhabited or sparsely populated.
Population distribution : This describes the way in which people are spread out across the
earth's surface.
Population density: This describes the number of people living in a given area,
expressed as people / km².
Demography: A study of the statistics of human populations.
Demographer: A person who studies human populations (growth, size and movement).
Isoline: A line on a map joining something of equal value, eg. a contour line joins places of the same
height above sea level.
Isopleth : A line on a map joining places of equal population density.
Choropleth: A population map with colours representing population density.
The same shading of colour is used for equal population density, and darker shading indicates higher
population densities.
Census: A form which each household fills in to provide the Government with
population information and statistics.
GR 7
• www.dsd.gov.za
• www.population.gov.za
GR 10
CHIEF DIRECTORATE POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT
www.population.co.za
Private Bag X901, Pretoria, 0001, SOUTH AFRICA
COPYRIGHT© 2014, Department of Social Development, Pretoria, South Africa
For further information:
Chief Directorate Population and Development
Department of Social Development
Private Bag X901, Pretoria, 0001
SOUTH AFRICA
www.population.co.za
Tel: 012 312 7769/ 7410
Fax: 012 312 7710/ 312 7932
Email: [email protected], [email protected],[email protected]
This publication is intended to support learning about population and development in the school curriculum and may be
copied/downloaded and distributed as required. Permission should be obtained from the copyright holder for any
changes to the format or content of this publication. Distribution for remuneration is not permitted.
COPYRIGHT© 2014, Department of Social Development, Pretoria, South Africa
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SOCIAL SCIENCE
definition of population
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POPULATION GEOGRAPHY
This is all about people - where they live, why they live there, why they move, where they move to and
how they impact on the environment. Population Geography will help you understand the factors
which impact upon people and their daily livelihoods and whether their actions are sustainable.
POPULATION
This refers to the number of people living in a specific area (such as a village, a town, a city) at any
specific time. The people can be of a different race, culture, income group and age. The population
CHANGES over time because people move in and out of an area, babies are born in the area and
members of the community die.
Data sourced from <worldatlas.com> 2012 dataset, map generation AfriSpatial
If you see the word Demography, know that this deals with the statistics of the human population its size, development and structure. The size of the population refers to the number of people living
in an area and is influenced by the number of births, number of deaths and people moving into and
out of the area.
definition of population - population change and development
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definition of population
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Population statistics and information
In South Africa this information is mainly derived from:
• A national register where every birth and death, amongst other things, is recorded by the
Department of Home Affairs. When you were born your parents had you registered by supplying
your name and date of birth to the Department. You were issued with a birth certificate.
• A census is usually done every 10 years when information is gathered about the people living in an
area. A form is delivered to your home and your parents have to fill it in. It has many questions on it,
including how many people live in your home.
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definition of population
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Concepts of Population
Population changes and development can be graphically or visually represented on maps to depict
population distribution and population density.
Distribution
This describes the way in
which people are
spread out across the
earth's surface.
To show where people
are located on a map
dots are used.
Example:
one dot = 100 people.
Density
This describes the
number of people
living in a given area,
expressed
as people / km².
To show where people
are located, areas of the
same density are
shaded in.
Data sourced from Stats SA 2011 Census, map generation Afrispatial
Areas with many people and high population densities are referred to as ecumene areas, while areas
with a sparse population are called non-ecumene areas. Population densities are depicted on a map
with an isoline called an ISOPLETH.
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Two types of population densities are studied:
Total population per area.
Arithmetic density
Legend
Density Food Capacity
Nothing Available
0-50
50- 100
100 - 200
200 - 400
400 - 600
600 - 800
800 - 1000
1000 - 1500
1500 - 2000
2000 - 8000
Data sourced from <worldatlas.com> 2012 dataset, map generation AfriSpatial
Total population per area of cultivated land
Nutritional density
Legend
Nutritional Density
Nothing Available
0 -20
20 -40
40 - 60
60 - 100
100 - 200
200 - 400
400 - 3000
Greater than 3000
Data sourced from <worldatlas.com> 2012 dataset, map generation AfriSpatial
Whereas the arithmetic population density is a figure only, the nutritional density is vitally important
because it gives us the number of people who are supported by an area of cultivated land. This
figure normally correlates well with the standard of living in the same area. If this figure is too high
then the distinct possibility of starvation exists.
definition of population - population change and development
Department of Social Development
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Population Support material
Department of Social Development
Private Bag x901, Pretoria 0001
SOUTH AFRICA
www.population.gov.za
Tel: 012 312 7769/7410
Fax: 0123127932
Department of Social Development
Population Support material