MigrationCHAPTER 3

Migration Geographers study from where people migrate

and to where they migrate

They also study why they migrate

Migration- a permanent move to a new location

Type of relocation diffusion (spread of a characteristic through the bodily movement of people)

continuedEmigration- migration from a location

Immigration- migration to a location

Net migration- the difference between the number of immigrants and the number of emigrants If the number of immigrants is higher, net migration

is positive—known as net in-migration If the number of emigrants is higher, net migration

is negative– net out-migration

Why Do People Migrate?

E. G. Ravenstein wrote 11 “laws” of migration in 19th century

Serves as basis for modern migration study “laws” concerned three areas of study A] Why migrants move

B] The distance they typically move

C] The characteristics of migrants

Certain laws of social science have been proposed to describe human migration.

The following was a standard list after Ravenstein's proposals during the time frame of 1834 to 1913. The laws are as follows:

Most migrants only go a short distance at one time.

Long distance migrations are for those who come from large cities.

Most migration is from rural areas to urban areas.

Most international migrants consist of young males between the ages of 20 and 45.

Most migrations proceed in step-by-step processes.

Each migration flow produces at least one counterflow.

Females remain more migratory than the males within their country.

Migration increases in volume as industries develop and transportation improves.

Major causes of migration are for economic reasons.

Reasons for Migrating

Push factor- induces people to move out of their current location

Pull factor- induces people to move into a new location

Both factors usually play a role 3 major kinds of push and pull factors

1. Economic

2. Cultural

3. Environmental

Lee’s Push Pull Theory

Economic Push and Pull Factors Most common reason for migrating

Move to places that seem to have opportunity and out of places that have very little

US and Canada historically have had many immigrants come for opportunity

Relative attractiveness of a region can shift with economic change

Cultural Push and Pull Factors

Forced international migration is a cultural push factor– examples are slavery and political instability

Ethnic segregation and wars cause people to migrate

Refugees- people who have been forced to migrate from their homes and cannot return for fear of prosecution due to their race, religion, nationality, or political opinion

continued Refugees have no home unless another country agrees

to take them in

2 largest refugee groups are Palestinians and Afghans Palestinians left Israel after it was created in 1948 or

after it expanded in 1967

2 largest groups of internal refugees are the Sudanese (civil war) and the Columbians (drug lords and guerrillas)

Political conditions can also be a pull factor

Lure of freedom

Environmental Push and Pull Factors Pushed out of hazardous regions– pulled into attractive

ones

Attractive areas would include: mountains, beach, and warm climates

Too little or too much water is a major push factor

Drought and floodplainsAn area subject to flooding during a specific

number of years

Intervening ObstaclesDefinition environmental or cultural factor that

hinders migration

Historically, primarily environmentalHard to travel across inhospitable environments

Ocean, mountains, desert

Modern transportation has made this much easier

Government and politics are obstacles todayNeed passports to cross borders

Distance of Migration Ravenstein said:

most migrants only move a short distance and remain within the same country

Long-distance migrants to other countries head major economic centers

2 types of internal migration

1. Interregional migration- movement from one region of a country to another

2. Intraregional migration- movement within one region

Historically, interregional migration has been mostly rural to urban (but now environmentally attractive rural areas are becoming popular)

Intraregional is usually within urban areas – city to suburbs

Internal MigrationDefinition.- permanent movement within the

same country

Adheres to the idea of distance decayThe farther away a place is located, the less

likely people will migrate thereExplains why there are more internal migrants

than international migrants

Easier because there is less culture shock

International Migration

Definition.- permanent movement from one country to another

2 types

1. Voluntary migration- migrant has chosen to move for economic improvement

2. Forced migration- migrant has been compelled to move by cultural factors

Zelinsky’s Migration TransitionDefinition.- change in the migration pattern in a

society that results from industrialization, pop. growth, and other social and economic changes that also produce the demographic transition

International migration is primarily a function of stage 2 (people leave to go to stage 3 or 4 countries)

Internal migration is more important in stages 3 and 4 (cities to suburbs)

Characteristics of Migrants Historically, males were more likely than females to

migrant internationally

Because men worked more than women and left to find job opportunities

Since the 1990s, female migrants are on the rise (about ½ in the US)

Most long distance migrants are young adults seeking work –not children or elderly

40% of US immigrants are between 25 and 39 (that demographic is only 23% of entire US population.)

Only 5% of immigrants are over 65

16% are under 15 – this number is on the rise

Global Migration Patterns Asia, Latin America, and Africa have net-out migration

North America, Europe, and Oceania have net-in migration

3 biggest migration flows are form Asia to Europe, Asia to North America, Latin America to North America Reflects the importance of migration from LDCs to

MDCsPeople want the prospect of better jobs and

higher pay

US has more than 35 million people born in other countries

More than half from Latin America ¼ from Asia

12% of US population are immigrants

We have more immigrants than anybody But, ¼ of Australian pop are immigrants 1/6 of Canadian

½ the population of the Middle East are immigrants United Arab Emirates – 74%, Kuwait- 68%

People from poorer areas of Middle East migrate to get jobs in Oil exporting industry

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