Theory question 102
Population(a) Define the following terms: (i) death rate; (ii) population explosion. (b) Explain five factors that influence death rate in Tropical Africa. (c) Outline three effects of a growing population in Tropical Africa.
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(a)(i) Death rate: the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year.
(ii) Population explosion: a very rapid increase in population caused by a high birth rate and a falling death rate.
(b) Health care: more hospitals, vaccination and drugs lower deaths; diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, cholera raise deaths; food supply and nutrition (famine raises deaths); water supply and sanitation; level of education and income; wars and conflicts; natural disasters (drought, floods); age structure of the population; accidents.
(c) Pressure on social amenities (schools, hospitals, water); unemployment; housing shortage and slums; food shortage; crime; environmental degradation; more labour and larger markets (positive).
Explain each factor: say how it raises or lowers deaths.