Demographic issues and land use in small island developing states : special reference to Barbados, Cape Verde, Fiji, Maldives, Malta and Mauritius : relationships and impacts

Abstract

The trend towards increasing population figures has characterised much of the twentieth-century demography of the world. Social scientists predict that this will continue well into the present millennium until a plateau-stage is reached, with world population levelling off at slightly more than nine billion. Such an assertion seems very intriguing, and raises questions as to whether an countries will be equally responsible for this growth and whether such results may be attributed to particular factors. The relationship between this projected growth and the available resources of the world is one very interesting area of study. Amongst these resources, land is perhaps one of the most important finite existing resources. In view of this, the following research has been undertaken to analyse the strength of such a relationship between man and land. A sound literature review presents facts, figures and theories on a global scale, ranging from the remote past to the present and delving into the near future. Patterns in development are analysed and questions into whether the current use of land is sustainable or not, are investigated. The focus gradually shifts towards small island developing States, with meticulous reference to six countries, namely: Barbados, Cape Verde, Fiji, Maldives, Malta and Mauritius; constituting together a sound representation of small island developing States across the world. Immediately, particular characteristics emerge which put them in a scenario other than that experienced by larger, more developed countries. Fascinating features, highlighting the richness existing in small island developing States come to light in this case study. Vulnerabilities are also given due attention as they are part and parcel of what makes small island developing States so fascinating yet complex. Once such an examination into the relationship between demographic trends and land use issues across space is undertaken, another study follows, the main focus of which is to investigate the same relationship across time. An in-depth analysis, over the course of a century, focuses on Malta, one of the six small island developing States featuring in the preceding case study. This gives deeper insights on important factors which have affected and are affecting sustainable development in a number of localities, well representing the island. Majoring among such aspects are the economy of the country, the social characteristics of it, the cultural influences, its historical experiences and the environment within which all this takes place. Such a research is intensive in its nature though by no means exhaustive. The relationship between man and land can be studied from an endless myriad of angles, varying from the economic, social, political, historical and environmental. The number of studies which can be undertaken to investigate the relationship between man and other resources, limited or not, is even further awe-inspiring. One hopes that such research is undertaken in order to enhance the knowledge of that which encompasses us and possibly take appropriate action in the anticipation that future generations will be thankful to us.