MIGRATIONReasons for Migrating

INTRODUCTION How many times has your family moved? Have you moved from a different town? State?

Country? In the United States the average family moves

once every SIX years Diffusion – spread of a feature or trend from

one place to another over timeMigration is a form of relocation diffusion involving a

permanent move from one place to another Geographers track where people migrate to and

from

EMIGRATION VS. IMMIGRATION

Emigration is migration from a locationIn 1620, the Pilgrims emigrated from England in

search of religious freedomWhen the number of emigrants exceed the number

of immigrants, net migration is negative○ Known as net out-migration

Immigration is migration to a locationEach year thousands of people immigrate to the

United States in search of better opportunitiesWhen the number of immigrants exceeds the

number of emigrants, net migration is positive○ Known as net in-migration

SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU THINK

Can you think of reasons why people migrate?

REASONS FOR MIGRATING Push factors lead people to leave their

present location Pull factors lead people to move into a

new location There are three major types of push and

pull factorsEconomicCultural environmental

ECONOMIC PUSH & PULL FACTORS People may emigrate from their homes because

of a lack of job opportunitiesThey will often leave in search of economic prosperityCan you think of an area within the United States that

could see economic emigration? People could be lured to a particular area

because of the promise of economic growthNatural resources such as petroleum can attract

minersCan you think of an historical period that was

characterized by economic immigration within the United States?

CULTURAL PUSH & PULL FACTORS Forced international migration has occurred

for two main reasons – slavery and political instabilityPeople are no longer forced into slavery, but

political instability is still a relevant factor Refugee – person forced to migrate from

their homes and cannot return for fear of persecution or punishmentRefugees have no home until some country is

willing to let them in or conditions in their home country improve

CULTURAL PUSH & PULL FACTORS International refugees are those who

leave their country and move to another countryPalestinians in Israel

Internal refugees are those who relocate within their countryColombia

The lure of freedom and democracy can serve as a cultural pull factor

ENVIRONMENTAL PUSH & PULL FACTORS People can be pulled to physically

attractive regionsMountains, warm climates, seasideHealth concerns (i.e. allergies) may serve as

pull factors Adverse physical conditions can push

people away from their homesExtreme levels of water can is the most

common environmental threat

INTERVENING OBSTACLES An environmental or cultural feature that

hinders migration What types of intervening obstacle could

hinder migration? Why?