Chapter 4 The Human World

Population by Years 1000 AD – 500 million people 1800 AD – 1 billion people 2009 AD – 6.2 billion people 2025 AD – 7.8 billion people 2050 AD – 9 billion people WHAT FACTORS ARE CAUSING POPULATION TO EXPLODE?

Birth/Death Rates Birth rates have out paced death rates. Birth rate – number of births per year for every 1000 people. Death rate – number of deaths per year for every 1000 people.

Reasons for Increased Birth Rates & Decreased Death Rates Better Health CareMore Abundant Food

Population Distribution About 30% of the Earth’s surface is land, but only a small part of that land can be used for human settlement. Humans tend to gravitate towards regions with fertile soil, available water, natural resources, employment opportunities, and mild climates. Most of Earth’s population is in Europe & Asia.

Population Density Asia has the most densely populated areas on Earth. The most densely populated area of the U. S. is the Boston-New York-Philadelphia-Washington Megalopolis.

Why do people continue to migrate even with overcrowding? Move from rural to urban (country to city) for job opportunities. Move to escape devastation of war or natural disaster. Move to get an education. Move because of lack of water or food. PEOPLE FEEL THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO MIGRATE!

Elements of Culture Language Religion Social Groups Government Economic Activities

Language Language unites peoples from many different places on Earth. Spanish is spoken on every habitable continent except Australia.

Religion Even though religions are different throughout the world, they unify different people in many places in the world. There are Christians & Muslims on many continents.

Social Groups Social groups provide a way for members to work together to meet needs. Ethnic Groups – people whom share a common language, history, place of origin.

Government Governments throughout the world share the characteristics that they maintain order within a country, protect the people who live there, and provide people with needed services.

Levels & Types of Levels & Types of Governments Levels:Unitary System - All powers reside with the national government. Federal System - Governmental powers a shared between national government & state governments. Types:Autocracy- Rule resides with one individual. Leaders: emperors Monarchy- Rule resides with one family. Leaders: kings/queens Oligarchy- Rule by a small group. Leaders: Communist Party Politburo Democracy- Rule by leaders whom have consent of the people. Leaders: Prime Minister/President

Economic Systems Traditional Economy – habit & customs determine the rules for economic activity Market Economy – individuals and private groups make decisions about what to produce. (No Governmental Interference.) Mixed Economy – Government supports & regulates free enterprise. Command Economy – government owns or directs the means of production. Economic Systems are how a society divides up its scarce resources.

The Exchange of Resources Trading between countries is needed for the following reasons: 1) Countries are rich in different natural resources. 2) Countries can produce an excess of what is needed for their own population’s survival. 3) Countries cannot produce needed goods. Since trade is beneficial to countries of the world, a main focus of the 21 st century has been to eliminate barriers to free trade. North American Free Trade Association (NAFTA) European Union

How Can Countries Affect Others Unintentionally? Pollution Russia polluted much of Eastern Europe with nuclear fallout with the meltdown of the nuclear power plant Chernobyl in The United States polluted Southern Canada for years with smokestack emissions from the Ohio River Valley manufacturing center.