Page 13 - Chapter 1: How Geographers Look at the World

Understanding Graphs

raphs are visual representations of statistical data. Large
Gamounts of information can be condensed when presented in
graphs. Studying graphs allows readers to see relationships clearly.

World Population Projections
12
Learning the Skill High
10.9
Medium
The three main types of graphs present numeri- 10 9.3
cal information. Line graphs record changes in data
over time. The vertical axis (y-axis) shows units of 8
measurement, and the horizontal axis (x-axis) shows Low
7.9
intervals of time. Bar graphs use bars of different Population (billions) 6
lengths to compare different quantities. Circle
graphs show the relationship of parts to a whole as 4
percentages. To understand a graph:
2
•Read the graph title to identify the subject.
•Study the labels to understand the numerical
0
information presented. 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050
Year
•Study the information presented and the use
Source: United Nations Population Division, 2000
of colors and patterns.
U. S. Population Change Due to Migration
• Compare the lines, bars, or segments, and look 50
for relationships in order to draw conclusions.

Practicing the Skill 40
Study the graphs to answer these questions. Percent Change 30
1. Line graph What is the difference in popula- 20
tion between the low and high projections?
10
2. Bar graph In which decade did migration cause
the least change in population?
0
3. Circle graph What percent of immigrants to the 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s
United States in the 1990s came from Europe?
Decade
4. What general population trends do the three Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
graphs show?
U.S. Immigrants by Region of Origin (%)
Other 5%
Europe
Other 13%
Take a poll of your classmates about a geographi- 11% Latin
cal topic. Design and draw a graph using the data. Europe America Latin
38%
Consider geographic features, distributions, and 40% Asia 30% America
52%
relationships.
Asia
11%
The Glencoe Skillbuilder Interactive Workbook, 1960-1969 1990-1997
Level 2 provides instruction and practice in key
social studies skills. Source: U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1999

28 Unit 1