Human Geography 101: Population Geography - Migration Push and Pull Factors Types Internal International Forced Voluntary Step Migration Chain Migration

What This Is

Migration is the movement of people from one place to another, driven by various factors. Understanding migration patterns is crucial for grasping human-environment interactions and spatial patterns. For instance, the growth of New York's Little Italy was largely due to chain migration, where Italian immigrants settled in the city and encouraged their relatives to join them.

Key Models, Theories & Terms

• Push and Pull Factors: Forces that drive people to leave their homes (push factors) and those that attract them to a new location (pull factors). For example, poverty and conflict in Somalia are push factors, while job opportunities in the United States are pull factors.
• Demographic Transition Model (DTM): A five-stage model linking population growth to economic development. Stage 1: high birth and death rates, Stage 2: declining death rates, Stage 3: increasing population, Stage 4: low birth and death rates, and Stage 5: low population growth. This model explains why some countries still have high birth rates.
• Chain Migration: A type of migration where family members or friends follow earlier migrants to a new location. This is evident in the growth of Chinatowns in cities worldwide.
• Step Migration: A type of migration where people move from their rural homes to a nearby town, and then to a larger city. This is common in many developing countries.
• Forced Migration: Migration that is involuntary, often due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. Examples include refugees fleeing war-torn countries and internally displaced persons (IDPs) within their own countries.
• Voluntary Migration: Migration that is chosen by individuals or families, often for economic or educational opportunities. Examples include international students and skilled workers.
• International Migration: Migration that crosses national borders. This can be voluntary or forced.
• Internal Migration: Migration within a country, often from rural to urban areas.
• Gross Migration Rate (GMR): The number of migrants per 1,000 people in a population. This rate helps measure the intensity of migration.
• Net Migration Rate (NMR): The difference between the number of migrants and emigrants per 1,000 people in a population. This rate helps measure the net effect of migration.

Step-by-Step Application

1. Identify the type of migration (push, pull, chain, step, forced, or voluntary) by analyzing the factors driving the movement.
2. Determine the direction of migration (internal or international) based on the location of the migrants.
3. Examine the demographic characteristics of the migrants, such as age, sex, and education level.
4. Consider the economic and social factors that influence migration, such as job opportunities, poverty, and conflict.
5. Analyze the impact of migration on the destination area, including the effects on population growth, urbanization, and cultural diversity.

Common Misconceptions

1. Misconception: All migration is permanent. Correction: Many migrants are temporary or seasonal, such as migrant workers in the United States or Europe.
2. Misconception: GDP per capita is the same as standard of living. Correction: Standard of living takes into account factors like income inequality, access to education and healthcare, and environmental quality.
3. Misconception: Rank-size rule applies to every country. Correction: The rank-size rule, which states that the size of cities follows a logarithmic distribution, only applies to certain countries, such as the United States.

AP Exam / Free-Response Tips

• When answering FRQs, make sure to identify the type of migration and its causes.
• Use models like the DTM and Burgess concentric zone model to explain migration patterns.
• Be aware of tricky distinctions, such as the difference between ethnicity and nationality.
• Use specific examples from real-world cities and countries to support your arguments.

Quick Practice Scenario

A megacity in a developing country grows rapidly as rural residents move in for factory jobs. Identify the dominant migration pattern and one likely urban model that describes its structure.

Answer: Step migration and the Burgess concentric zone model. The megacity's growth is driven by step migration, where rural residents move to the city for economic opportunities. The Burgess model describes the city's structure, with a central business district surrounded by residential areas.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Demographic Transition Model (DTM): 5 stages of population growth linked to economic development.
• Push and Pull Factors: Forces driving migration (push) and attracting migrants (pull).
• Chain Migration: Family members or friends following earlier migrants.
• Step Migration: Movement from rural homes to nearby towns and then to larger cities.
• Forced Migration: Involuntary migration due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters.
• Voluntary Migration: Chosen migration for economic or educational opportunities.
• International Migration: Migration across national borders.
• Internal Migration: Migration within a country.
• Gross Migration Rate (GMR): Number of migrants per 1,000 people.
• Net Migration Rate (NMR): Difference between migrants and emigrants per 1,000 people.
• Ethnic religion (Judaism, Hinduism) is not the same as universalizing religion (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism) – ethnic religions do not actively seek converts.
• Rank-size rule only applies to certain countries, not all.
• GDP per capita is not the same as standard of living.