China's Population

China's Population

1. Physical and Human Factors Affecting the Distribution

   • There are no large settlements in the desert areas or very wet mountains
   • The country is sparsely populated in the west of the country
   • Climate
     • Sparsely populated areas tend to have extreme climates
     • Beijing does not get extreme climates which is one of the reasons for its' growth
     • China has a very diverse climate
   • Centers of industry are densely populated because there are many jobs available. Ports situated on the coast trade with the whole world and so these areas are very densely populated.
   • Good communication links and richer areas in general have higher population densities
   • Coastal areas and fertile floodplains have the highest population density in the whole of China. e.g The Yangtze found in the east.

2. Reducing China's Birth Rates

   • Incentives
     • Longer maternity leave
     • Cash Bonuses
     • Free education
     • Better child care
     • Free medical care
     • Preferential housing arrangments
   • Disincentives
     • Couples are required to pledge they won't have kids again
     • People are monitored by 'granny police'
     • Having another child will cost their priviages
     • Sacked from their jobs
     • Received heavy fines
     • Each area (commune) was only allowed a certain quota of births
     • Women who were pregnant were pressured into having an abortion and families with children were urged to use contraception
   • Recent Changes
     • In rural areas a second kid is normally allowed after 5 years but this is usually only if the first is a girl
     • In urban areas this policy is STRICTLY enforced
     • Some exceptions
       • If the first has a disability
       • Sometimes if the first is a girl
       • If the parents are from one-child families
       • If the parents have high risk occuptaions