Geography SAC Unit 4 (LAST ONE)

Question 1

Describe the ‘Location and Distribution’ of population in Egypt.

Answer 1

Egypt has one of the largest population densities in the world, due to its high population and large percentage of inhabitable land (95%). 97% of the population are spread along the cultivated areas of the Nile River, predominantly on the river’s delta and in cities such as Cairo and Alexandria.

The population density is approximately 41,000 people per sqkm. Almost half of Egypt’s births occur in the rural south, where population density is 1,500 people per sqkm.

Question 2

List at least 5 challenges Egypt faces due to the ‘Location and Distribution’ of population in Egypt.

Answer 2

1. Poverty
2. Environmental degradation
3. Traffic congestion
4. Overcrowding
5. High unemployment rates
6. Rising crime
7. Overcrowded classroom
8. Depleting resources
9. Strain on public services and infrastructure.

Question 3

List 5 factors that contribute to the issues Egypt faces.

Answer 3

1. As 90% of the population is muslim, a high percentage of the population follows the religion’s pronatalist beliefs. Contraception is considered haram (forbidden by islamic law).
2. Almost half of Egypt’s births are in the rural south where poverty levels are high. The poor have a mentality that children are economic assets, thus they tend to have more children.
3. Low levels of education and subsequent higher illiteracy rates (significantly higher in women) in southern Egypt lead to an overall illiteracy rate of 25%.
4. High frequencies in child marriages in the rural south lead to larger families.
5. Despite 65% of Egyptian women using contraception, low education of the southern rural population leads to many being unaware or not having access to contraception.

Question 4

Present 4 pieces of knowledge on the population movement in and out of Egypt.

Answer 4

1. 2013 statistics reveal that labour migration from Egypt amounts to more than 3.4 million poeple. Top destinations are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
2. Census records reveal that in 2009 there were 6.5 million Egyptian migrants living overseas, 74% temporary migrants.
3. In 2015, approximately 250,000 refugees and asylum seekers were living in the country, almost half from Syria.
4. Migration Expert Zohri, estimates that approximately 20,000 Egyptians leave the country as irregular migrants every year.

Question 5

List the types of Egypt’s issues and challenges. Elaborate.

Answer 5

1. High unemployment rates (12.5% in 2016) especially among the youth (34%). This has led to social and civil unrest e.g riots.
2. Illiteracy rates of 25%.
3. Egypt ranks 132/155 countries in gender equality.
4. Overcrowding and traffic congestion, together with pollution and an increase in crime.
5. Egypt faces severe water, energy, and wheat shortages as a result of overpopulation.
6. The education system is under huge strain, avg. classroom sizes are 40 students, with some reaching 60.
7. The government is facing the challenges providing the basic needs to its citizens, adequate housing, sanitation, health care, and education and jobs.

Question 6

List 1 strategy that the Egyptian government has implemented as a response to population issues.

Answer 6

In 2014 the ‘National Population Council’ developed a national strategy to combat child marriage; the aim was to cut the prevalence of child marriage in half, between 2014 and 2019. By developing key partnerships with ‘key ministries’, ‘religious leaders’, and etc… the strategy focuses to promote young people’s sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Question 7

Describe the effectiveness of the strategies implemented.

Answer 7

The strategy to cut child marriages by half was only commenced in 2014. Thus it is difficult to say how effective the strategy has been, more should be known by 2019 when the results can be compared to the projections.

In 2016 Egypt’s fertility rate was at 3.33 % whilst in 2015 it was 3.38%. Despite only being a small drop, it may indicate a declining trend for the future.

Question 8

Explain the role and effectiveness of spatial technologies for development and implementation of strategies.

Answer 8

CAPMAS (Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics) is Egypt’s official source for data and statistical information. The agency collects data through censuses and surveys, then proceeding to process it via an internet platform to various government bodies.

These spatial technology has been very cost effective. Paper booklets no longer have to be printed out and then transported to census distributors, who also had to be paid.

CAPMAS utilises the Internet and Tablet applications for census and survey collections. This data is then mapped an put online.

Types of data mapped includes the location and distribution of; income, poverty and illiteracy rates, and no. of people per household.

Various government bodies such as the ‘ministry of planning’ also have access to this data. The government can then plan for the future.

Question 9

General Information:

1. State the population.
2. State the fertility rate.
3. Percentage of population under 40.
4. Predicted population by 2050.
5. Population in 1950
6. Percentage of married women using contraception and what age?

Answer 9

1. 94 million
2. 3.33%
3. 60%
4. 140 million
5. 20 million.
6. 15-49 57%

Question 10

Describe Egypt’s challenges in its world region:

Answer 10

Egypt’s major challenges are; the influx of refugees & asylum seekers, a weak economy, resource depletion and security.

Egypt is a major transit route for refugees & asylum seekers en route to Europe as Egypt is regarded as a safer departure point than Libya.

As Italy and Greece have revealed their wish to reduce their intake of refugees/asylum seekers, more refugees may end up stuck or going to Egypt. A possible increase will only exacerbate the country’s population and economic issues.

Egypt’s neighbours, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE given approximately 12 bn combined to the country.