Intro to Population Geography Lecture

1. 1

2.  Population Geography
◦ The study of population phenomena and
problems; patterns and trends in different parts
of the world; small or large areas.
 Demography
◦ The study of the characteristics of human
populations.
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3. • The study of human populations; their
composition, growth, distribution, and
migratory movements with an emphasis
on the last two. It is concerned with the
study of demographic processes which
affect the environment, but differs from
demography in that it is concerned with
the spatial expression of such processes.
(Definition from Ask.com)
• Also, geographers focus on
space, demographers on time
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4. Censuses & Vital
Records
See Appendix A in text p. 361
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5.  Census uses
◦ Study of trends
◦ Congressional Apportionment
◦ Distribution of funding and revenues
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6.  Limitations of the Census
◦ Undercount
◦ Only once every 10 years
◦ Wording of questions
◦ No individual level data
◦ Sampling errors
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7.  Vital Records
◦ Births
◦ Deaths
◦ Marriage
◦ Morbidity
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8. GIS Marketing
Applications
◦ Georeferencing
< Starbucks Coffee
Co. Catchment
Area
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9.  Geographers have developed a set of spatial
theories of
◦ Location
◦ Distribution
◦ Interaction and processes
Source: Golledge, July 2, 2001.
http://www.directionsmag.com/columns.php?column_id=41
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10.  Geographers have invented a unique set of
methods of spatial analysis and innovative
multi-modal representational forms
 Geographers use place-based reasoning to
solve a variety of problems relating to
human-environment relations
Source: Golledge, July 2, 2001.
http://www.directionsmag.com/columns.php?column_id=41
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11.  Geographers can use their special spatial
skills to
◦ help in the process of political redistricting
◦ analyze population growth or decline
Source: Golledge, July 2, 2001.
http://www.directionsmag.com/columns.php?column_id=41
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12.  At the state level, geographers with training
in settlement theory
◦ monitor the growth and decline of small towns
◦ undertake economic and environmental impact
analyses
◦ investigate changes in local, regional, and
statewide economic bases by using spatially
sensitive input-output models.
◦ analysis of population growth or decline--
particularly via intrastate, interstate, and
international migration
Source: Golledge, July 2, 2001.
http://www.directionsmag.com/columns.php?column_id=41
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13.  Examining the regional effects of
undocumented immigration and transient
international workers has become a major
skill developed by today's geographers.
Source: Golledge, July 2, 2001.
http://www.directionsmag.com/columns.php?column_id=41
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14.  Monitoring recreational and tourist
movements has become more important as
leisure time has increased and as quot;summer
homequot; ownership has flourished
◦ E.g., Frostbelt to Sunbelt movements
◦ “Snowbird” migration
Source: Golledge, July 2, 2001.
http://www.directionsmag.com/columns.php?column_id=41
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15. Population Dynamics and Processes
• Population Growth
• Birth, or Fertility, Rates; Death, or Mortality, Rates
• Demographic Transition Theory
• Population Movement and Migration
• Mobility and Migration
• International & Internal Voluntary/Forced Migration
Population Distribution and Structure
• Population Distribution & Density
• Age-Sex Pyramids
Population Debates and Policies
• Resources, Policies, Programs, Sustainability &
Gender
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