Environment
Most Favourable Environments
-fertile agricultural land
-abundant natural resources
-water (coastlines and rivers)
-city sites (meeting points, natural
harbours)
Least Favourable Environments
-mountains and infertile soil
-scarce natural resources
-extreme climate conditions
(desert/polar)
-isolated locations (continental
interior)
-the environment may shape where people live, but it doesn’t rule the final
choice
-people use technology to help control the environment around them
-ie. Florida – despite it’s hot and humid weather, people still live there
because of air conditioning
-technology like sleds and weapons have allowed the Inuit to live in the
North
-there are certain locations that are more attractive to people because they
have mild climate, fertile soil, fresh water, and natural transportation
routes
History
-historically populations first expanded to where agricultural civilizations
prospered
-these places, Middle East, India, and China, were established on fertile
soils that could produce food
-while other places still relied on hunting and gathering
Migration
-many people migrate to new places for a better life
Immigration – the arrival of people to a new country to live
Emigration – the departure of people from their home country to live
somewhere else
Net Migration – measures the real effect of migration on population
Ex. Immigration – Emigration = Net Migration
Technology
-technology can allow people to make their environment more liveable (ie.
Air conditioners, irrigation systems – allow people to live in the California
desert)
-technology also affects human life and death which affects the population
Natural Increase – the birth rate minus the death rate
*if there are more births than deaths than a population will increase in size
Birth Rate – the number of births per 1000 people per year
-modern medicine, hospitals, and reduction of diseases have helped
newborns survive and the elderly live longer
Death Rate – the number of deaths per 1000 people per year
-death rates can change due to catastrophes such as floods or war
Policies
-government policies can also affect populations
Ex. China’s One Child Policy