Earth’s Human Geography 7th Grade UBD – Unit 1 – Culture and Geography Earth’s Human Geography

Preview Where Do People Live- The world’s population, or total number of people, is spread unevenly over the Earth’s surface. Urbanization and Diversity- One of the biggest challenges today nations face is urbanization.

Reach Into Your Background Would you like to live in a city or in the country? List some interesting things you could do if you lived far from a city. List the things you would enjoy most about city life. (5 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a neighbor and compare your answers with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Where Do People Live The world’s population, or total number of people, is spread unevenly over the Earth’s surface. Demographers study the populations of the world. Most major civilizations began along bodies of water. People prefer areas where the climate is not too hot or cold, and where there is rainfall.

What is Population Distribution The world’s population, or total number of people, is spread unevenly over the Earth’s surface. Some places have large numbers of people. In other places, the population is very small. Population distribution describes they way the population is spread out over the Earth.

Key Term Population– The people living in a particular region; especially, the total number of people in an area.

Key Term Population Distribution– The average number of people living in a given area.

Population Pressure Video- Population Pressure

Demographers Demographers study the populations of the world. They examine such things as rates of birth, marriage, and death. They also look at reasons why people choose to live in certain areas.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven Why is population distribution uneven? To answer this question, demographers start with the idea that people are choosy. Much of the Earth’s landforms are rugged mountains, hot deserts, and dry land with little vegetation. Few people can live in these places.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven Many factors make a location a good place to live. Most major civilizations began along bodies of water. Rivers and lakes are used for trade and travel. They also provide people with a supply of fresh water for drinking and farming.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven People also prefer areas of flat, fertile soil. There they can grow food and build easily. Flat costal areas make it easy for people to trade by ship with other countries.

Why Is Population Distribution Uneven Other factors affect where people live. People prefer areas where the climate is not too hot or cold, and where there is rainfall. These places make it easier to raise food crops and animals. People also prefer places with natural resources to build houses and make products.

Questions What describes the way the population is spread out over the Earth? Demographers study the populations of the world. What things do they study?

Answers What describes the way the population is spread out over the Earth? Population distribution describes the way the population is spread out over the Earth. Demographers study the populations of the world. What things do they study? Demographers study things such as rates of birth, marriage, and death. They also look at reasons why people choose to live in certain areas.

Reach Into Your Background There may have been a time in your life when you or your family moved to a new home. Or perhaps a close friend moved away from your neighborhood. You probably felt a little sad. Write down how you would feel if you moved to another country! (5 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a neighbor and compare your response with theirs. What things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)

Key Ideas- Urbanization and Diversity Migration is the movement of people from one country or region to another in order to make new homes. In recent years, the population of major cities has grown tremendously. The movement of people to cities is called urbanization. The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.

Key Term Urbanization– The growth of city populations caused by the movement of people to cities.

The World Becomes More Urban One of the biggest challenges today many nations face is people migrating to cities from farms and small villages. In recent years, the population of major cities has grown tremendously. The movement of people to cities is called urbanization.

The World Becomes More Urban The problem for many cities is that too many people are coming to them. Cities cannot keep up. They struggle to provide housing, schools, hospitals, and other services that people need. The country as a whole suffers. With fewer farmers, there is less food.

Are You Typical Video- Are You Typical-National Geographic

Key Term Diversity– The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect. It means understanding that each individual is unique, and recognizing our individual differences.   

Diversity Diversity means that there are lots of different kinds of things. Just as there are lots of different makes of cars, bikes, and washing machines or just about anything you can think of, so there is diversity among people.

Diversity Diversity is not just about our bodies. Where we are born in the world can make for a great deal of diversity too. There are differences in: Languages, Religions, Beliefs, Cultural Traditions, Schools, Jobs, and Homes.

Where Diversity Is Found You don't have to go anywhere to find diversity. Just look around at your family and friends and you will find it. Every single person you know is different. How about your brothers, sisters and cousins?

How Does Diversity Happen? There is more and more diversity around us because: People travel around a lot more in their own country. They may go to live and work in other countries. When people move to other countries they add their diversity to that country in all sorts of ways - food, culture, religion, beliefs, music, and art.

What's Great About Diversity? As more people from different countries come to that country, then there is more diversity in the population of that country. Everyone can learn more about other cultures. Everyone can work together to make the country a good place to live for everyone.

What Can Be Not So Great? Some people are afraid of diversity. Some people are afraid of change. Some people want everyone to be the same as themselves. Some people don't want to accept that others do not share their beliefs.

Questions What are some problems many cities face as people move to them? Where can you find diversity? What can be great about diversity? What’s not so great about diversity?

Answer What are some problems many cities face as people move to them? Cities cannot provide adequate housing, schools, hospitals, and other services that people need. Where can you find diversity? You can find diversity everywhere. What can be great about diversity? Everyone can learn more about other cultures and work together to make the world a better place to live. What’s not so great about diversity? Some people are afraid of diversity, while others are afraid of change, and some want everyone to be the same as themselves.

Independent Activity What has been the “muddiest” point so far in this lesson? That is, what topic remains the least clear to you? (4 minutes)

Partner Activity Work with a neighbor and compare your muddiest point with theirs. Compare what things are the same and what things are different? (3 minutes)