An Introduction to Human Geography
The Cultural Landscape, 9e
James M. Rubenstein
Chapter 3
Migration
Victoria Alapo, Instructor
Geog 1050
Why People Migrate
• Reasons for migrating
– Push and pull factors
• Economic
• Cultural
• Environmental
– Intervening obstacles: anything that distracts
you from your original goal (could be
physical or cultural). E.g.?
• Difference btw Immigration & Emigration
Migration within a Country
(Internal Migration)
• Migration between regions of a country
– i.e. inter-regional migration
– E.g. Migration between regions within the U.S.
• Migration within one region
– i.e. intra-regional migration
– Rural-urban migration (especially very strong in
developing countries)
– Urban-suburban migration (especially very strong in
the U.S.) e.g. Omaha
Interregional Migration in the U.S.
Average annual migrations between regions in the U.S. in 1995 and in 2000.
Intraregional Migration in the U.S.
Average annual migration among urban, suburban, and rural areas in the U.S.
during the 1990s. The largest flow was from central cities to suburbs.
Migration Patterns
• Global migration patterns (international
migration)
• U.S. migration patterns
– Colonial immigration (Mayflower, Pilgrims, Slaves, etc)
– 19th century immigration (Slaves, European migration)
– Recent immigration (after 1960)
• Impact of immigration
– Legacy of European migration on the U.S. (see graphs)
– Undocumented immigration
– Brain Drain on “source countries”. Brain drain is when
the working age and usually educated people leave
their home country to go to another one. See pg 98.
Global Migration Patterns
The major flows of migration are from less developed to more developed countries.
Net Migration (per population)
Net migration per 1,000 population. The U.S. has the largest number of immigrants, but other
developed countries also have relatively large numbers. Brown means more people are coming
in, dark blue means more people are leaving. (See new image on pg 89.)
Refugees: Sources and destinations
Major source and destination areas of both international and internal refugees.
For definition of “refugee”, see pg 84, and next slide.
Refugee Migration
• Refugees
– 1951 Geneva convention – someone with a
well-founded fear of being persecuted in
his/her country of origin due to race, religion,
nationality, membership of a particular social
group or political opinion.
– Asylum is the “refuge” provided to a refugee.
1951 signatories are obligated to grant safety.
– Asylees have special rights
Migration to U.S., by region of origin
Most migrants to the U.S. were from Europe until the 1960s. Since then,
Latin America and Asia have become the main sources of immigrants.
Aerial View of Ellis & Liberty Island
See page 91, and personal pictures.
Southern Manhattan Island
Migration from Asia to the U.S.
Migration in 2001 (just one year). The largest numbers of migrants from Asia come
from India, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Migration from Latin America to the U.S.
Mexico has been the largest source of migrants to the U.S., but migrants have also come from
numerous other Latin American nations. See importance of remittances (pg 96).
U.S. States as Immigrant Destinations
California is the destination of about 25% of all U.S. immigrants; another 25% go to
New York and New Jersey. Other important destinations include Florida, Texas, and Illinois (pg 97).
Obstacles to Migration
• Immigration policies of host countries
– U.S. quota laws i.e. limited # of visas for each country.
– Economic migrants or refugees? (e.g. the “boat people”,
pg 100).
– Unless economic migrants have special skills, refugees
have higher priority in all countries.
• Cultural problems faced while living in other
countries
– U.S. attitudes toward immigrants: currently negative and
suspicious, for the most part. “Compassion fatigue”.
– Attitudes toward guest workers in Europe, see photo, pg
101.
Migration of Vietnamese Boat People
Many Vietnamese fled by sea as refugees after the war with the U.S. ended in 1975.
Later boat people were often considered economic migrants. See caption, pg 100.
Guest Workers in Europe
Guest workers emigrate mainly from Eastern Europe and North Africa to work in the
wealthier countries of Western Europe.
Emigration from China