Population Density and Distribution

What is population density and distribution?

Population density:  The amount of people living in an area of land per km² .  

• Many people in a small area = densely populated
• Few people in a large area = sparsely populated

Population distribution :  the pattern of where people live. 

Places which are sparsely populated = contain few people. Places which are densely populated = contain many people.

Population distribution is often shown on a map. It can be shown on a dot map

Living in sparsely inhabited areas can be challenging. There are typically hostile areas, such as Antarctica. With its cold temperatures, lack of vegetation, and geographical isolation, the climate in Antarctica makes it a difficult place to live.

Habitable environments include heavily inhabited areas such as Western Europe and the United States’ East Coast. Flat relief, a favorable climate, and the abundance of natural resources and fresh water can all contribute to this.

key words

Population density  = The amount of people living in an area of land. 

High population density = the population is high relative to the size of the country

Low population density = the population is low relative to the size of the country

Relief = the difference in height between the high point and the low point on a landscape, in feet or in meters. It could also be defined more qualitatively: like “low relief plains” or “high relief rolling hills”.

Climate = the weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period

Temperate climate = environments with moderate rainfall spread across the year or portion of the year with sporadic drought, mild to warm summers and cool to cold winters

Population Distribution = the pattern of where people live

Optimum population = The population is such that it can maximize the benefits from the resources available. It is only when we have optimum population that the quality of life is maximised.

Factors that Affect Population Density and Distribution

PHYSICAL

ECONOMIC

Relief and landformsLowland plains, flat river valleys and deltas and volcanic areas with fertile soil tend to have high population densities. Mountainous areas with steep slopes and poor quality soil tend to have low population densities. Weather and climateTemperate areas which experience few extremes of weather and climate tend to be more attracted than areas which experience extremes.  Soil type and quality Areas which have rich, fertile soils allowing successful agriculture tend to have higher population densities than areas which have poor quality soils have sparse populations.  Water supplyWater supply is essential for human survival and development and because of this areas which have sufficient water (but not too much) tend to have denser populations. Raw materials/natural resourcesAreas with a wealth of natural resources such as oil, coal or minerals may have higher population densities than areas which do not. Natural threatsThese may affect population density as people may try to avoid areas where pests, threatening animals and diseases are particular risks.

Job opportunitiesRegions with little or no economic opportunities tend to be sparsely populated as people are unable to secure a regular income.The availability of jobs and economic activities within a region leads to an increase in population density. InfrastructureLocations with little or no infrastructure, including transport, energy, water and sanitation do not attract significant numbers of people. Locations with an effective infrastructure, including transport, energy, water, and sanitation are usually densely populated. AccessibilityPoor transport infrastructure provides considerable challenges, especially with regards accessibility leading to a low population density. A good transport infrastructure attracts a high population density as people can travel and commute easily. It also allows the free movement of goods which leads to the development of industry, providing jobs to people in the local area.

Factors that Affect Population Density and Distribution

SOCIAL

POLITICAL

SecurityHigh levels of crime discourage people from settling in an area, leading to a low population density. Low crime rates can encourage people to move to an area, leading to a high population density.

Public servicesPoor public services, including education and health care, discourage people from living in an area, leading to a low population density. Effective public services, including education and health care, attract people leading to a higher population density. War + conflictCivil war and persecution can lead to a low population density as people move to escape violence.Political decisionsGovernment policy can have a significant impact upon population densities. Governmental corruption can also lead to a low population density.A safe, reliable Government can encourage people to a country, leading to an increased population density.

CASE STUDY 1 – DENSELY POPULATED COUNTRY (JAPAN)

POPULATION – 126.3 million

The highest population densities are found in the coastal regions, especially the coastal regions of Honshu Island. The lowest population densities are in the mountainous regions, especially the Japanese Alps Honshu Island.

Honshu Island has an area of high population density around Osaka Bay, which is situated on the south-west coastline of Japan. This is because the coastal location makes it easier and cheaper to import and export goods. Osaka Bay is a natural harbor, which is sheltered from the strong winds and also has many deep water channels, promoting trade. The relief of the land in coastal environments is ideal for industry, such as Panasonic.

The Japanese Alps have a very low population density. The valleys are very narrow, meaning the valley floors are very small, so unsuitable for building on. These areas also experience an extreme climate, due to the high altitudes, making them very difficult to live in.

CASE STUDY 2 – SPARSELY POPULATED COUNTRY (NAMIBIA)

Namibia – a country in south-west Africa

The Republic of Namibia is a country in south-west Africa on the Atlantic coast, with a low GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per person of US$7900. It gained independence from South Africa in 1990 and its capital city is Windhoek. With an overall population density of 2.6/km2 it is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. The Namib Desert, an immense expanse of moving gravel plains and dunes of all shapes and sizes which includes the huge dunes at Sossusvlei, stretches along the entire coastline. Much of the country has a hot, dry climate. Rainfall is sparse and erratic and there are prolonged periods of drought. The economy is dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals such as diamonds and uranium for export. The Rössing Uranium Mine, for example, located in the Namib Desert near the town of Arandisis, is one of the largest opencast mines in the world. However, mining employs only about 3 per cent of the population while about half of the population depends on subsistence agriculture.

POPULATION – 2.495 million

The Republic of Namibia is a country on the south west coast of Africa.  Namibia gained independence in 1990 from South Africa. The GDP (measure of the size and health of a country’s economy over a period of time) of Namibia is US$ 5 200 per capita, with much of its population relying on subsistence agriculture for their income. As such the population density of Namibia is very low, around 2.5km2. Namibia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. Much of Namibia is desert, with a hot , dry climate. Rainfall is sparse and erratic and there are prolonged periods of drought.

revision questions – key terms 

Revision Questions – fill in the blanks (choose words below – some may not be necessary)

Living in sparsely inhabited areas can be challenging. There are typically _____ areas, such as Antarctica. With its cold _________, lack of _______, and geographical isolation, the climate in Antarctica makes it a difficult place to live.

Difficult, Isolation, Temperatures, Vegetation, Hostile, Easy, Hot

________ environments include heavily inhabited areas such as Western Europe and the United States’ East Coast. Flat ____, a favorable climate, and the _______ of ______resources and fresh water can all contribute to this.

Natural, Relief, Habitable, Lack, Abundance, Unnatural

PAST PAPER Qs

ANSWERS

(i) Describe the distribution of the countries in africa with a child mortality rate of over 150 per 100 live births

(ii) suggest reasons why child mortality is high in some countries in africa

(iii) explain why countries with high child mortality are likely to have high birth rates

ANSWERS

PAST PAPER Qs

PAST PAPER Qs

ANSWERS

USEFUL RESOURCES + LINKS

• https://www.thegeographeronline.net/population-dynamics.html

• https://wolseyhalloxford.instructure.com/courses/2068273/pages/topic-four-1-dot-4-population-density-and-distribution

• https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/past-papers/gcse-geography/cie-igcse-paper-1/

• https://issuu.com/cupeducation/docs/cambridge_igcse___geography_courseb/5

CASE STUDY 1 – DENSELY POPULATED COUNTRY (JAPAN)