Geography 1.4 Population Density

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Population density and distribution

Population density is the average number of people per square kilometer (km2) in a country. (. density = no. of people / land per sq. km)

Population distribution is the way that the population is spread out over a given area, from a small region to the Earth as a whole.

Areas with a high population density are said to be densely populated.

Regions with a low population density are sparsely populated.

Population density is increasing in countries that have faster population growth.

Uniformity in density of population occur where there is little variation in physical and human environment.

Steep contrasts in these environments are sharply reflected in population density.

Density of population is minimal in hostile environments.

There is low density of population in reliefs (low or mountainous lands), polar regions, rain forests, high altitudes and deserts.

Physical factors like soil fertility, natural water supply and mineral resources determine density of population.

Industries, transport and urbanisation determine the density of population.

Soil fertile areas are avoided to settle in but instead productive areas are looked for for settlement.???????

Water supply has always been vital which is why so many settlements are historically located by (a) rivers, (b) lakes, (c) springs and (d) where artesian wells could be dug to access aquifers (water-bearing rocks) below the surface. Mineral resources, particularly coalfields, have led to the development of large numbers of settlements in many countries.

The more advanced a country is, the more important the elements of human infrastructure become in influencing population density and distribution. While a combination of physical factors will have decided the initial location of the major urban areas, once such towns or cities reach a certain size, economies of scale and the process of cumulative causation ensure further growth. As a country advances, the importance of agriculture decreases and employment more and more on the secondary, and tertiary sectors of the economy which are largely urban based. The lines of communication and infrastructure between major urban centres provide opportunities for further urban and industrial location.

North America and Oceania have the lowest population densities of all the world regions while Asia is the most densely populated.

There is a striking contrast between less developed and more developed countries.

Low density of population occurs where there is a hostile environment.

Temperature, precipitation, and vegetation may greatly influence the density of population.