Introduction On 21 October 2011, the world’s
population reached 7 billion people for the first time in its history. As well as causing a stir among the media, who searched for the ‘7 billionth baby’, geographers took notice for reasons other than finding a new celebrity. Since 1750, the world’s population has been increasing rapidly, with an even sharper increase occurring since 1960. As of March 2016 the world population is estimated to be 7.4 billion people – meaning an increase of some 400 million in just four and a half years. In this chapter, we will look at the factors that influence the growth and distribution of population across the globe. In particular, we will examine:
World population growth
Population Year 9.2 billion*
2050
6 billion 6.7 billion 7.3 billion 8 billion*
2.5 billion 5 million, 10000 BCE 10000 8000 6000 4000 250 million, 1 CE 2000 0
1 billion 2 billion 3 billion 4 billion 5 billion
2000 2007 2015 2025
1975 1987
1930 1950 1960
1800 2000 : Fig.1.1 Population growth has increased rapidly since 1750.
• Where the world’s population lives • The factors that influence population change • The impacts of population growth and the patterns of population growth.
1.1 Population Distribution and
Population Density Population distribution and population density are the terms used to describe where in the world people live. In this section, both terms are explained.
Distribution
Population distribution refers to the spread of people across the world or across a region. In simpler terms, it means where people choose to live and where they choose not to live. The distribution of people across the world is very uneven due to a number of factors that make areas either suitable or unsuitable to live in.
Some regions of the world are very difficult to live in because of their physical processes. For example:
• The Sahara Desert is extremely hot and dry. • The Antarctic is extremely cold. • The Himalaya Mountains are cold and oxygen is low at higher altitudes.
As you can see in Fig. 1.2, some areas of the world are far more desirable for people to settle in. These areas are: • South East Asia • Indian Subcontinent
• Central Europe • Lowland coastal regions.
In 1960 there were 3 billion people in the world. After 15 years there were 4 billion people. After another 13 years there were 5 billion. After another 11 years there were 6 billion. After another 12 years there were 7 billion. At this rate, it is estimated that there will be over 11 billion people in the world by 2100.
GEO DICTIONARY
Population distribution: the spread of people across an area
Population density: the number of people per square kilometre (km2
)
The discovery and subsequent popularity of tea-drinking in England during the eighteenth century led to a significant increase in life expectancy. This was not because of the tea itself, but rather because the water used for tea was boiled, and therefore purified.
POPULATION CHANGE OVER TIME AND SPACE 3
A
Z
Elective 5: Human CHAPTER 1
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194
