TOPIC 18.

TOPIC 18.

1. The world population Although it is not easy to calculate how many people there is on Earth. According to calculations of United Nations, in mid-2015 the population of the world was 7.35 billion, that is 7.350 million people.

2. Birth and mortality Population transformations can be explained in large part by two factors that are considered very important: birth levels and mortality levels.

3. Demographic transition A little over two hundred years ago, that is, before the 18th century, population growth in all parts of the world. It was always very slow because high birth ratesthat were invalidated because high mortality rates. Many children died shortly after birth because the plagues killed entire populations. That is why the population did not increase. However, from the 18th century, and during the following centuries, the mortality rate was lowered. More people were born than they died. Because living conditions were improved. Among other things, the diet improved, but above all there was more health care. Medications were discovered and life-saving vaccines were developed.

4. Continents’ population At present the most famous continent the world is the Asian, because there is a number of people higher than the rest of the world.

5. Ecuadorian population Between 1800 and today the population of Ecuador passed from half a million inhabitants to 16 million, that is, in 215 years it has multiplied at least 30 times. Let’s remember that in 1950 Ecuadorians were not more than 3.5 million and that in 1972 they reached 6.4 million. Now the Ecuadorian population is just 1.16% of the Chinese population and 0.22% of the population world.