Population Distribution & Urban Issues PDF

Key Terms and Definitions 1. Population Distribution Clustered Patterns: Populations concentrated in specific areas due to favorable conditions (e.g., near resources, cities). Scattered Patterns: Populations spread out over large areas, often due to agricultural or remote...

Key Terms and Definitions 1. Population Distribution Clustered Patterns: Populations concentrated in specific areas due to favorable conditions (e.g., near resources, cities). Scattered Patterns: Populations spread out over large areas, often due to agricultural or remote settings. Linear Patterns: Populations align along physical features like rivers, roads, or coastlines. 2. Urban vs. Rural Urban: Areas characterized by high population density and infrastructure (e.g., cities). Rural: Areas with low population density, primarily agricultural or natural landscapes. 3. Non-Degradable Waste Plastics: Synthetic materials that break down very slowly, polluting ecosystems. E-Waste: Discarded electronics, often containing toxic materials harmful to the environment. 4. Water Footprints A measure of water usage by individuals, communities, or nations, including direct and indirect consumption. 5. Fresh Water Issues on Indigenous Reserves Causes: Aging infrastructure, contamination, lack of funding, and systemic neglect. Consequences: Health risks, boil-water advisories, and socioeconomic challenges. 6. Depopulation Causes: Low birth rates, aging populations, economic decline, out-migration. Effects: Reduced labor force, economic challenges, and empty infrastructure. 7. Push Factor vs. Pull Factor Push Factors: Conditions driving people away from a location (e.g., conflict, poverty). Pull Factors: Conditions attracting people to a location (e.g., jobs, safety). 8. The Point System Canada’s immigration system evaluates potential immigrants based on criteria like language skills, education, work experience, and adaptability. 9. Comprehensive vs. Specific Land Claims Comprehensive Claims: Address unresolved Indigenous land rights where treaties were never signed. Specific Claims: Resolve breaches of existing agreements or treaties. 10. Land Use Categories CBD (Central Business District): Economic hub of a city with dense infrastructure. Inner City: Older urban areas often facing issues like urban decay or gentrification. Suburbs: Residential areas on the outskirts of cities. Rural Fringe: Transition zone between urban and rural areas. 11. Urban Sprawl Unplanned expansion of urban areas into surrounding rural lands. 12. Urban Decay Deterioration of urban areas due to neglect, poverty, and shifting populations. 13. Gentrification Revitalization of urban areas, often displacing low-income residents due to rising costs. Questions You Should Be Able to Answer 1. What factors contribute to a high or low birth rate? High Birth Rate Factors: Limited access to contraception, cultural norms, economic reliance on large families. Low Birth Rate Factors: Access to education, family planning, urbanization, career prioritization. 2. What factors contribute to a high or low death rate? High Death Rate Factors: Poor healthcare, malnutrition, conflict. Low Death Rate Factors: Advanced healthcare, improved living conditions, public health policies. 3. Should Canada use landfills or incinerators to deal with its waste? Landfills: Pros include cost-effectiveness; cons include methane emissions and land use.  Incinerators: Pros include waste volume reduction; cons include air pollution and high costs. 4. What are ways Canada could reduce the amount of waste it creates? Strategies: Increase recycling, promote composting, ban single-use plastics, encourage circular economies. 5. What are the main usages for water in Canada? Agriculture, industry, and domestic use (drinking, cleaning, irrigation). 6. What are some challenges Canada faces as its population ages? Challenges: Labor shortages, increased healthcare demands, pension system strain. 7. What types of migrants does Canada admit? Where do most immigrants to Canada settle? Types: Economic immigrants, family reunification, refugees. Settlement: Most settle in urban centers like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. 8. What are some challenges faced by refugees? Challenges: Language barriers, employment, cultural adjustment, access to services. 9. What are some things Canada does well with migration policies? What are some things it does not do well? Strengths: Comprehensive evaluation system, multicultural integration. Weaknesses: Long processing times, barriers to employment recognition. 10. What does demographic data tell you about Canada’s Indigenous population? Insights: Younger median age, higher growth rates, often face socioeconomic disparities. 11. Smart Growth Urban planning strategy to reduce sprawl by focusing on sustainable and efficient land use. Skills You Should Possess 1. How to Calculate Population Density  Formula: Population Density = Total Population / Land Area (in km²). 2. Population Pyramid Analysis Age Cohorts: Specific age ranges (e.g., 0-14, 15-64, 65+). Reproductive Cohorts: Ages typically associated with childbearing (15-49). Indicators of High Birth Rate: Wide base of the pyramid. Indicators of High Death Rate: Narrowing at younger age groups. Asymmetries: Gaps in gender or age groups, often due to conflict or migration. Growth Types: ○ Fast Growth: Wide base, narrowing top. ○ Slow Growth/Stable: More uniform width across age groups. ○ Contracting: Narrow base, wider middle/top.