Population information is readily accessible on the Internet. For an updated
list of links to government agencies and research institutions see the Penn State
Population Research Institute's Web Resources in Demography.
International
Demographic data are available from many sources. A good place to begin is the
course's main text and statistical source, the Population Reference Bureau (PRB).
PRB's World Population Data Sheet is available full text online. See also
PRB's Search site for country data and its excellent Glossary for definitions of
important terms.
The United Nations compiles population statistics on member countries at
UNDP: Population Database and Population Information Network (POPIN).
Consult online reports such as The State of World Population.
Individual foreign countries are well represented at two US Census Bureau sites:
the first, International Statistical Agencies, provides links to demographic
agencies in other countries; the second, IDB Summary Demographic Data, provides
current statistics--e.g., birth and death rates, life expectancies--for
every country.
The CIA's World Factbook summarizes population and other data.
Worksheet #1 also requires you to visit two population clocks online, one
for the world, one for the USA: POPClocks (Census Bureau). Try the dynamic
features on the Census Bureau's clocks to "see" population changes. (NOTE:
Fall 2006 - Census Bureau dynamic clocks suspended but data available.)
Princeton University's Office of Population Research still maintains a
dynamic World Population Clock. (NOTE: another dynamic clock is found on
the Austrian government's Statistics Austria website!)
Another estimater: the World Population Counter (Ibiblio)United States
For the USA the obvious source is the Census Bureau [www.census.gov]
and an alphabetical array of topics at the Census Bureau's Subjects A to Z.
One link of special interest takes you to the Census 2000 reports. A fine
compendium of demographic and other data is the most recent volume of the
Statistical Abstract of the United States.
California
For California the best population updates are available from the State's
Department of Finance Demographic Research Unit. See its publications
links from What's New?. Among the most useful items are the
Reports and Research Papers.
Sacramento Region
Finally, for the metropolitan region that includes the CSUS campus visit
the Sacramento Area Council of Governments website as well as consulting
relevant US Census and California Department of Finance sites such as
Population Estimates Program: Cities & Towns
WORLD MIGRATION: SUMMARY
The Census Bureau's International Data Base (IDB) Summary Demographic Data
suggests the relative importance of net migration to population change in
foreign countries.
WORLD REFUGEES: MAPS & DATA
People fleeing war, famine, and other catastrophes receive due attention
at the ReliefWeb home page. Also see the
excellent ReliefWeb Map Centre.
USA ANCESTRY: DATA, 2000 CENSUS
FIRST, try linking directly to "QT-P13. Ancestry: 2000".
THEN, if you don't reach the Census 2000 state-by-state ancestry data:
Go first to the
Census 2000 Gateway site.
On the lower right, under Census 2000 Data Releases, click on
Summary File 3.
On the Summary File 3 (SF3) page click on
Access to all tables and maps in American FactFinder.
Note the identifying dot next to
Census 2000 Summary File 3 (SF3) - Sample Data; click on
List all tables.
Under the admonition to "Select a table and click 'Next'" choose
one of the first possibilities: QT-P13. Ancestry and click
"Next" to get to the Select Geography page.
Under "Select a geographic type," choose "State" and, then,
"Continue."
Under "Select one or more geographic areas and click 'Add',"
choose "All States," "Add," then, "Show Results".
You should now be looking at the first state, Alabama, in a data set
identified as "QT-P13. Ancestry: 2000". Whew!
USA ANCESTRY: MAPS, 1990 CENSUS
Prof. William Bowen of CSU-Northridge has maps of Native- and Foreign-Born
Americans included on his Citizenship maps site;
Bowen's Ancestry maps show various designations--ethnic, racial,
linguistic--claimed by Americans on the 1990 Census.
"CAPS is the only organization in the state dedicated to tackling the controversial
twin pillars: high fertility, and high immigration rates. Together, they create the
state's number one problem--rampant population growth."
"CCN is a national non-profit advocacy group working to achieve national revitalization,
population stabilization, economic and environmental sustainability, and resource
conservation."
"The broad complex of problems connected with overpopulation and environmental
limits may prove more destructive to humankind than the warfare complex."
"'Short of nuclear war itself, population growth is the gravest issue the
world faces. If we do not act, the problem will be solved by famine, riots,
insurrection and war.'--Robert McNamara, World Bank President"
"Our Core Purpose is to explore and develop ways of reversing human activity by
bringing about orderly negative growth in both population and industrial throughput."
"Greenpeace is an independent campaigning organization that uses non-violent, creative
confrontation to expose global environmental problems, and to force solutions that
are essential to a green and peaceful future."
"Ironically and tragically, the larger we grow in numbers, the harder it seems to be
able to gain consensus on the connection between the growth in human population and
the destruction of the environment that sustains us."
"The purpose of the National Immigration Forum is to embrace and uphold America's
tradition as a nation of immigrants. The Forum advocates and builds public support
for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees..."
"The mission of the Nature Conservancy is to preserve plants, animals and natural
communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands
and waters they need to survive."
"NPG is the only organization calling for specific, realistic measures to reduce
U.S. and World populations in order to leave a more sustainable society to our children."
"Planned Parenthood believes in the fundamental right of each individual, throughout the
world, to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual's income, marital
status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or residence."
"Population Action International (PAI) is dedicated to advancing policies and programs
that slow population growth in order to enhance the quality of life for all people."
"Population-Environment Balance is a national, non-profit membership organization dedicated
to maintaining the quality of life in the United States through population stabilization."
"Overpopulation is not a distant issue. Its overwhelming problems are upon us. Every
member of every future generation will be directly affected by what you and the
Population Institute do now."
"As human population becomes more dense, the value of human life is diminished.
Therefore, lower birth rates are desirable. As human life increases in value,
death rates will also drop."
"Ending population growth in this country and around the world is an essential part of any
effort to protect the environment, sustain the ability of earth to support life, and
enhance the quality of life for all human beings."
"Sierrans for US Population Stabilization (SUSPS) support a return to traditional (1970-1996)
Sierra Club population policy which included both birth rates and overall mass immigration
numbers in achieving US population stabilization as quickly as possible."
"The purpose of this group shall be to make world overpopulation a household word.
Let us find ways to make everyone aware of the seriousness of this problem and what
are the choices."
"By conserving the broadest variety of the world's habitats, we can conserve the
broadest variety of the world's species and most endangered wildlife, as well
as higher expressions of life on Earth--whole communities and ecosystems."
"The Institute's outlook is global because the most pressing environmental issues are
global. Given the earth's unified ecosystem and an increasingly integrated global
economy, only a global approach to issues such as...population growth can be effective."
"Zero Population Growth, Inc. (ZPG) is a national non-profit organization working
to slow population growth and achieve a sustainable balance of people, resources,
and the environment."
