Lets Make a Freaking Map

See Figure 1.

Investigating Global Population and Ecoregions
See Figure 1

Questions

How would you describe the patterns of world population density?
As we will discuss later in this course, knowing where data comes from is, to put it into
geographical terms, a Very Big Deal, particularly with maps. To start thinking along these lines,
examine the details of the population density layer by clicking the right arrow next to the layer
and selecting Show Item Details.
Who created this data, and what sources did they use?
What is one reason you can think of for the difference between the population density in
northern India compared to that of Nepal?
Use the Measure tool and determine the distance between the highest area of population
density in India to the lowest area in Nepal. Be sure to note the distance units you are using
(miles or kilometers).
Switch from the Legend view to the Contents view and turn on the Ecoregions layer. Turn
the Population layer on and off and note the predominant ecoregions in the most densely
settled regions of northern India. Also, explore the relationship between population density and
major rivers. How do you think the dense settlement here may have an effect on the
ecoregions of this area?
Describe the ecoregion and the population density in the region in which you live using the
map. How does the population density compare with your earlier observation where you were
asked to reflect upon the population density of your area without the aid of a map?

Answers

By looking at the maps the patterns of world population density is very clear; people gravitate
toward warm weather, coastal regions, and places with major resources such as rivers and
major cities. People are less likely to inhabit extreme hot or cold areas with few resources.
Joseph Kerski created this data using several different sources. He used ESRIs cloud-based
GIS called, ArcGIS Online.
Northern Indas population is much more dense than that of Nepal. This is due to the warm
weather and ease of survival in India, versus the humid, mountainous land of Nepal.
Delhi, the area with the densest population is about 280 miles from the area in Nepal with the
lowest population density.
The predominant ecoregions in the most densely populated regions of northern India are
primarily forests and grassy humid areas. I think that the dense population will have a negative
effect on the ecoregions in those areas. Humans need to use up the resources around them,
consequently resulting in the destruction of some of those areas.
Salt Lake City has a high population density in its eastern part and southeastern part. There
are other densely populated areas around Salt Lake City, but it is definitely the densest. Salt
Lake City area is a semi-desert and desert of continental climate. The population in the city is
actually much more dense than I really ever realized.

Exploring Population Dynamics
See Figure 2
Questions
Which statement is correct?

Countries with a higher growth rate typically have a higher percentage of working age
population.
Countries with a higher growth rate typically have a lower percentage of working age
population.

Why do you suppose the growth rate and percentage of working age population are related in
the way that you've indicated here?
What impact do you think a high population growth rate has on a country?
Recall your recent reading about map projections. This map uses the Web Mercator projection.
How are the areas near the North and South Pole shown on this map?
How does the projection that this map is using affect your interpretation of what you are
studying?
Answers
Countries with a higher growth rate typically have a lower percentage of working age
population.
Countries with a higher growth rate and lower percentage of working age population are in
stage 2 of the demographic transition model. When the growth rate is so high, there is
obviously going to be a large percentage that hasnt quite reached working age.
It seems that a high population growth rate tends to be in areas of poverty, which is one
resulting impact. It causes more pressure to be on those that are working, because their
resources are spread much thinner because of the high number of dependents.
Our map uses the Web Mercator projection, which results in the North and South Poles being
non-existent on the map. This happens because it is a sphere shape that is turned into a flat,
two-dimensional shape.
The projection of this map affects our interpretation mostly of the distances between some
countries and their size.
Geodemongraphics
See Figure 3 and Figure 4
Questions
What is the tapestry segment of your neighborhood or a neighborhood you are interested in?
Would you say that the tapestry segment describes you accurately? Does it describe some of
your neighbors? Does the segment description make you laugh, or laugh nervously?
What influence does the map scale have on the data you are analyzing?

Answers
I live in Sugarhouse, and the tapestry segment is Suburban Splendor.
I think that this is extremely accurate because Sugarhouse is a higher-end, ritzy type of area
where some people sort-of walk with a stuck-up type of attitude. I really like some parts of
Sugarhouse, but the only reason my wife and I are living there is because we got a really
good deal on renting a home there. We dont necessarily fit in. This tapestry segment
definitely makes me laugh.
The map scale almost completely changes the data and information. It goes from a nice, well-
off area to a more run-down, lower income part of Salt Lake City.