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Many people had to flee from former East European countries because they did not agree with the ideas of the political party in power.
In Zimbabwe we also find that many people flee to neighbouring countries, e.g. South Africa. When their political ideas differ from those of the ruling party, they are sometimes abused and tortured by members of the ruling party. This causes them to leave the country.
Ec onomic push factors
When the economy of a country collapses, people are forced to flee to other countries to find food. One such example is the famine in Ireland in 1840 when the potato crops failed. About five million people died due to the food scarcity.
Environmental push factors
Water plays an important role here – either too little (drought) – or too much (floods). In the USA and Canada this is a common problem. People can be forced to leave their homes to survive.
In groups
Visit the library and find two examples of each of the following push factors:
a) Political factors
b) Economic factors
c) Environmental factors
2.2 Pull factors
P olitical pull factors
Sometimes countries with a democratic government is a popular destination for immigrants. Some persons living in a country where the political system allows very little freedom, may prefer to leave that country. One such example is the flow of immigrants from Eastern to Western Europe. However, this decreased considerably after the demolition of the Berlin Wall.
Ec onomical pull factors
People often move to areas offering better work opportunities. One such drawcard is the exploitation of natural resources, such as oil and gold. Can you think of more places or towns that owe their existence to minerals? Despite extreme climatic conditions, people still venture to these areas to earn large sums of money. One example is workers on oil drills in the North Sea.
Environmental factors
People prefer to live in an area with a temperate climate. They avoid areas that become either very hot or very cold. Others may prefer a very dry climate, for the sake of their health, for instance those who suffer from asthma.
In pairs
Find information on the number of people who emigrated from South Africa between 1993 and 1997. Draw a graph indicating the number for every year, and establish if there has been an increase or decrease in the number of people who left the country.
RESEARCH
Conduct research on one of the following types of migrants:
a) slavery
b) migrant labourers
c) students
Learning Outcomes (LOs)
LO 1
Geographical Enquiry
The learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and environmental concepts and processes.
Assessment Standards(ASs)
This is seen when the learner:
1.2 interprets information from maps and atlases and from graphic and statististical
1.5 identifies and records information in the specific field [working with sources];
1.7 in various ways reports knowledge obtained during the study by formulating an argument based on information found; uses maps, diagrams and graphics; uses, where possible, computers in the presentation [putting the answer across].
LO 2
GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE AND
UNDERSTANDING
The learner will be able to demonstrate
geographical and environmental
knowledge and understanding.
This is clear when the learner:
2.1 identifies and compares various kinds of settlement patterns [people and places];
2.3 identifies crucial factors leading to changes in settlement patterns in South Africa, Africa and elsewhere [people and environment].
ACTIVITY 1
The scarcity of jobs.
The safety situation in South Africa.
Farm murders.
Increased wave of violent crimes in South Africa, etc.
ACTIVITY 2 and 3
Own answers!
ACTIVITY 4
Own research.
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