Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Making colonial connections
The Age of Discovery foreshadowed an era of expansionism and colonial acquisition on the part of
several European powers that would have major consequences for population geography. Specific-
ally, exploration led to knowledge of and interest in distant lands that were perceived to have strategic
or economic value — or both. These interests led to claims on territories that became colonies.
Establishment of colonies led to creation of
migration fields,
which are countries or regions that gen-
erate (such as the European powers) or receive (such as Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the
Western Hemisphere) major migration flows. These migrations, in turn, led to the creation of region-
ally distinctive population characteristics that endure to this day. Thus, for example, what were once
sparsely populated “native” lands in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Western Hemisphere
now bear the unmistakable imprint of European settlement. In addition to free men and women, large
numbersofindenturedpeople—includingnon-Europeans—alsorelocated.ManyIndians(bywhich
I mean South Asians instead of Native Americans), for example, migrated within the British Empire
and added significantly to population geography as far away as the Caribbean. The effects of all mi-
gration on native populations varied from elimination, to relegation onto reservations, and absorption
or intermarriage.
Reciprocal flows of goods and people between European countries and their colonial possessions be-
came commonplace. Low-cost raw materials were sent from colonies to colonizer, where they were
made into higher-cost manufactured items and sent back to the colonies for sale. Thus began business
and trade relationships that persist to the present, though not necessarily in the same, one-sided man-
ner.
Likewise, in matters of migration, disproportionately strong migration fields exist among the coun-
tries of former empires. Thus, a visit to virtually any large city in England reveals ethnic neighbor-
hoods dominated by West Indians, Pakistanis, and other ex-colonials. Similarly, a review of immig-
ration in Canada reveals a migration field in which the countries of the former British Empire are
disproportionately evident.
Forcing involuntary migration
Migration is not always a matter of personal choice. Sometimes it's involuntary — forced upon cer-
tain populations. Examples include the expulsion of Jews from parts of Europe, Native Americans
from their homelands, and, more recently, various peoples from their homelands in the former
