A study of human geography begins with the human population. In fact, demographic topics frequently relate to other units in the AP Human Geography course. The three main concepts elaborated upon in this article are (1) the demographic transition model, (2) Malthusian theory and its critics, and (3) pronatalist and antinatalist policies that might…

This article demonstrates geography's role as an integrative discipline and its utility in connecting students to the world around them. A case study links China's demography and its geopolitics to the lives of U.S. students. The relationship of China's population pressures to its resulting economic growth, need for economic resources, and…

Kingston, capital of Jamaica, has been molded by three institutions: colonialism, the sugar plantation, and slavery. It has an enormous marginal population living in permanent poverty and not absorbable into the labor force. This marginality, fundamentally related to dependent capitalism, sustains itself by keeping wages low. (CS)

Traces the history of the development of cities in South Africa, paying special attention to the development of urban social controls. Three eras are identified: (1) mercantilism, (2) imperialism, and (3) apartheid. Concludes that enormous human costs are entailed by these attempts at social engineering. (JDH)

An effective means of cartographic representation of India's population growth and its spatial characteristics is the focus of this paper. A population growth index and population growth types are discussed. (Author/ND)

The evolution of American cities is examined as the essential prior element in the creation of rural America. (Author/ND)

Changes due to the 1970 census figures and new Census Bureau methodology have caused new requirements for central cities, revised integration criteria, and consolidation of some metropolitan areas. (ND)

This article presents a method for facilitating the explanation of regional patterns of population change by emphasizing both cartographic clarity and meaningful geographic typologies. (Author)

Urges that college level geography students will develop greater appreciation of population projections when they are directly and systematically involved in making and using them. An exercise is described in which students are directed to make several population projections, compare their projections with published projections, and explain…

The geographic study of population changes, disparities in per capita resource consumption, and disruptions of resource production or flow are useful explanations of contemporary world crises. (Author/DE)

Two exercises are presented to show that changes in the size of urban populations invove the demographic processes of migration and natural change. Discussion of these exercises and the result provides a useful introduction to various aspects of urban growth and to the role and nature of models in studying urban processes. (JR)

This article presents a short method for computation of the doubling period of a population at a fixed rate of annual increase. (Author)

Within geography, Black America can best be studied in the geography of cities. Topics suggested include sources of data, urban sprawl, arrangement and support of cities, urban demography, urban land values, urban land uses, and especially the geography of the black community within the city. (NH)

Presents an activity designed to improve students' basic mathematics, reading, and reasoning skills while involving them in the application and understanding of human geography concepts. Describes the activity's background, place in the curriculum, development, implementation, and learning outcomes. Provides the activity in a form ready for…

Suggests that the availability and application of good software for microcomputers enhances college teaching methods. Argues that, in population geography classes, spreadsheet programs are especially useful; they are easy to learn and are well suited for manipulating numbers representing demographic variables. Gives a sample template and macro for…