Chapter 3 MigrationKey Issue 4

Why do People Migrate Within a Country?

Why do people migrate within a country?Less disruptive than international

Different cultural traditions: language, religion

Two Main TypesInterregional

Rural and urbanIntraregional

Older cities and suburbs

Interregional MigrationUnited States

PastLack of farmland lured farmers to frontier for

more abundant landToday

Mostly for better jobs

Migration between Regions within the United StatesAmerican West

Opened up 200yrs ago

Mass interregional migration to interior

Changing Center of Population

Population center: average location of everyone in the country “center of population gravity”Where the “flat” Earth would balance on a pin1790, population center was Baltimore, MD

Most people were settled along Atlantic CoastDepended on coastal locations

Interior obstacles: Appalachian Mountains & Native Americans in West

Early Settlement in the Interior1830, Population Center moved west:

Moorefield, WVLarge amounts of fertile and available at low

priceTransportation improvements opened interiorCanals made travel accessible between New

York & Great LakesSteam powered boats

Early Settlement in the InteriorAfter 1830, Population center moved further

west: Cincinnati, OhioWestern pioneers headed toward California

Gold Rush, late 1840sNon-stop trip to CA

Settlers preferred forested areas (lumber)40” rain fall for agricultureWest of 98th meridian: Interior proved unsuitableDeclared region unfit: few trees, little rainfall“Great American Desert”

Modern Technology has transformed region to become one of world’s “richest” farming areas

Settlement of the Great PlainsAfter 1880, Population center continues to

move west, at slower paceMore Europeans migrating to US East CoastBalanced out American migration to West

CoastPeople began to settle in Great PlainsDakota Territory1870: 14,0001880: 135,0001890: 539,000

Settlement of the Great PlainsAgricultural TechnologyEnabled people to farm in Great PlainsBarbed wire introduced, no longer needed

forests to build fencesWindmills & well-drilling to pump water

Settlement of the Great PlainsExpansion of RailroadsTransportation for goods to move to

populated East CoastLand grants for railroad companiesEncouraged more Western Settlers1980, population center moved west of

Mississippi River

Recent Growth of the SouthLate 20th Century, population center moved

southward1980s and 1990s, 5 million moved to South,

only 2 million moved outJob opportunities (5% job growth in south

compared to average 2-3% for US)Environmental Reasons“sunbelt” temperate climate: outdoor rec

activities“rustbelt” Northeast & Midwest: dependency

on steel

Interregional AntagonismNortheast & MidwestBelieve south is stealing jobs/industrySome have relocated, but many are newly

created jobs

Past to Present 1929 average income was 2/3 lower in South1960 average income 1/3 lower in SouthToday, average income ONLY 1/5 lower in

South

Net migration for African Americans1900, most African Americans lived in South Forced migration for slaveryAfricans began to move to larger cities in NE,

MidWest and West for jobsEqual amount of African Americans moving

N-S as S-N, much more Whites moving South

U.S. Interregional Migration

21st Century,Much LESS interregional migration

Net migration from regions is almost ZEROMost new jobs are service sector

Location becomes less important

Migration Between Regions in Other CountriesRussiaSoviet policy encouraged factory construction

NEAR raw materials, not near current populated areas

Encouraged interregional migrationFill jobs at mines, factories, construction

sites

RussiaSiberiaFar North, 45% land, only 2% populationRich in natural resources: fossil fuels, minerals, forestsSoviet gov’t gave incentives to move north (higher

wages, paid holidays, early retirement)Harsh climate & remoteness Many workers moved back southKomsomol: young volunteers during summer to

construct projectsCollapse of Soviet Union market-based economyInterregional migration no longer encouraged

BrazilEncouraged interregional migrationMostly populated on Atlantic Coast

Rio de Janeiro, Sao PaoloTropical interior sparsely inhabitedGov’t moved capital from Rio to Brasilia, 600

miles from Atlantic CoastSlow growth at first, resentment of moveRapid population growth: more moving to

Brasilia for employment

IndonesiaGovernment encouraging migration FROM

Java (most populated island) to less populated ones

More than 5 million have movedIncentives: 5 acres of land, materials to build,

seeds, pesticides, and foodLess recent migration: environmental

concerns, disruption of indigenous people, not productive land

EuropeMoving to regions with higher incomesItaly: Migrating North for job opportunities

rich agricultural land & strong industrial base2x higher income, unemployment 15% less in north

United Kingdom:migrating south for job opportunities

North: industrial revolution- no longer competitive in global economy

Regions closer to European markets have advantageHeart of Europe

IndiaGov’t limits ability to migrate from regionsPermit is required to visit State of Assam, NE

IndiaProtect ethnic identity of regionLimit job competition with outsidersLimit international migration

Migration within One RegionSince 1800, most intraregional migration in

world has been from RURAL to URBAN areas

Migration from Rural to Urban AreasUrbanization, 1800s, Europe & North AmericaRapid industrial developmentUS Population in Urban Areas 1800 5% 1920 50% 2010 75%Pushed from lack of jobs in agriculture, pulled by jobs

in factories & service industryRecent years, urban migration is skyrocketing in LDCsSao Paolo, Brazil: migration is 300,000 per yearCity cannot support migrantsFavelas: squatter settlements, lack electricity, running

water, paved streets

Migration from Urban to Suburban AreasDeveloped countries: Canada, UK, West

Europe, USFrom central cities out to the suburbsNOT related to employmentDetached house, private yard, garage,

driveway, modern schoolsSuburbia is rapidly expandingFarms are being converted to housing

developments: new roads, sewers, other services

Migration from Metropolitan to Nonmetropolitan AreasLate 20th century, MDCsMore people migrating INTO rural areas than OUTCounterurbanizationMigration from cities & suburbs to small towns and

rural communitiesLifestyle reasons: live on a farm, own horses, grow

vegetablesModern communication & transportation make

transition easyCounterurbanization has stopped in US, numbers

IN and OUT are about the same