World Geography TodayChapter 5 Human Geography Preview Section 1: Population GeographyPopulation Geography Section 2: Cultural GeographyCultural Geography

World Geography Today Chapter 5

Human GeographyPreview

Section 1: Population Geography

Section 2: Cultural Geography

Section 3: World Languages and Religions

Chapter Wrap-Up


Read to Discover

• How do geographers study population?

• What are some important trends in world population?



• To study relationships between populations and environments, geographers use statistics:• Maps • Population pyramids• Graphs • Spatial perspective

• Key statistics:• Population density • Population change • Population distribution • Natural increase


Studying Population


• World population is increasing rapidly.

• Economic development results in lower population growth rates.

• Many less-developed nations are gradually reducing population growth.

• Population projections vary, but future population-related challenges are inevitable.


World Population Trends


Question

What technological improvements have led to the world’s population growth?



Sanitation advances lead to cleaner living conditions, which help people stay healthy.

Agricultural advances lead to increased food production, which allows more people to live in an area.

Medical advances lead to better health care, which allows people to live longer.

Reasons for Population Increases



Read to Discover

• How do geographers study culture?

• How do cultures change over time?



• Culture Traits—Activities and behaviors common to groups of people, such as reading, doing math, and methods of eating; many culture traits are linked

• Culture Regions—Areas in which people share culture traits


Studying Culture


Question

How would you describe the following traits of your own culture?



Religion

Education

Economy

Housing Clothing

Language

Food

Culture Traits


Government


• Cultures change over time through general processes such as communication, migration, war, and trade.

• Key concepts:• Innovation—Adoption of new and useful ideas• Diffusion—Spread of ideas• Globalization—Worldwide adoption of traits• Traditionalism—Maintenance of traditions


How Cultures Change


Read to Discover

• What is the geography of the world’s languages?

• What are the three main types of religions that geographers identify?



• Languages have spatial characteristics; they are linked to specific regions and people.

• Languages are divided into families and branches.

• Geographers study the origins and spread of languages.


Geography of Languages


• Ethnic—Focus on one ethnic group; examples: Hinduism, Judaism, Confucianism, Taoism

• Animist—Focus on spirits and forces of nature; often have ethnic basis; common in traditional societies

• Universalizing—Seek worldwide following; examples: Islam, Christianity


Types of Religions


Question

What are examples of each of the three main types of religions identified by geographers?



Ethnic Religions

• Confucianism• Hinduism• Judaism• Shintoism• Taoism

Animist Religions

• Traditional religions

Universalizing Religions

• Christianity• Islam



Chapter Wrap-Up Understanding the Main Ideas

1. What do population geographers use to study population patterns and trends?

2. What factors influence migration?

3. What are culture traits? What is one example of how culture traits vary from place to place?

4. Why is language fundamental to culture?

5. Why is religion fundamental to culture?

Documents

World Geography TodayChapter 5 Human Geography Preview Section 1: Population GeographyPopulation Geography Section 2: Cultural GeographyCultural Geography