5. Population and Resources

Question 1

The population density of an area is very important since it

Answer 1

relates the number of people to the unit area on which they live.

Question 2

population Density may be displayed on

Answer 2

Choropleth maps.

Question 3

Population density refers to

Answer 3

the relationship between the size of the population and the area they occupy.

It is defined as the number of persons per unit area and calculated by dividing the number of people in an area by its size in square units

Question 4

Countries with large populations do not necessarily have

Answer 4

high population densities.

Question 5

small countries such as Barbados and Singapore, which have very high densities, show great internal variation in distribution (spread) since

Answer 5

the calculation is an average.

Question 6

At a regional level, urban areas have higher densities than

Answer 6

rural areas.

The vertical extension of urban buildings and the rural use of land for agricultural production account for these differences.

Migration from rural to urban areas also influences the urban density

Question 7

Density reflects

Answer 7

intensity or concentration of people

Densities are said be ‘high’ or ‘low

Question 8

distribution is related to

Answer 8

spatial location or arrangement

distributions are ‘even’ or ‘uneven’

Question 9

explain Figure 5.1 Choropleth maps: A comparison of count data vs rate data: Tyne & Wear, Population by Ward, 2007

Answer 9

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The map on the left shows actual number of persons per ward. This map shows population distribution.

However the one on the right shows persons/area, that is, density.

Each map gives a different visual impression of the same population

The maps are both choropleth maps, but numeric data are plotted on the map of the left, and density on the right

Question 10

Distinguish between population density and population distribution.

Answer 10

Population density and distribution have some common features, for example both reflect spatial variation.

However they can be distinguished by particular characteristics:

Density is related to the land area while population distribution is simple location of people within an area

Population distribution is a visual attribute reflecting the spread; whereas density is amount/area or concentration

Question 11

Calculate the missing population densities a) to d) on the Table 5.1

Answer 11

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a 3/km^2

b 195/km^2

c 31/km^2

d 249/km^2

Question 12

Use evidence from the Table to support the suggestion that ‘there is no relationship between population density and wealth’.

Answer 12

It is clear from examples given in the Table that there is no relationship between density and wealth.

The countries with the highest densities are neither the wealthiest nor the poorest.

For example, Barbados with the highest density amongst the Caribbean countries, has one of the highest GNI per capita in the region, similarly Singapore with 6,942 persons/km2 has a higher GNI than any of the Caribbean countries.

In the Caribbean, Guyana has the lowest density and one of the lowest GNI in the region.

The number of persons per unit area does not seem to predict wealth since it does not reflect the resources available in the area nor the ability of the population to use them

Question 13

example of how there is no relationship between density and wealth in the caribbean

Answer 13

Barbados with the highest density amongst the Caribbean countries, has one of the highest GNI per capita in the region

Guyana has the lowest density and one of the lowest GNI in the region.

Question 14

The number of persons per unit area does not seem to predict wealth since

Answer 14

it does not reflect the resources available in the area nor the ability of the population to use them

Question 15

explain how Choropleth maps work

Answer 15

Choropleth maps use intensity of shades of the same colour or line shading to reflect differences in density of population.

This gives an immediate visual impression - the darkest shade represents the highest population density, lightest shade, the lowest density.

The shade is uniform over each division within the given density.

Ideally, no more than five shades should be used on any one map.

Question 16

Construction of choropleth maps (7)

Answer 16

1. Collect data and calculate density/unit area for areas given (county/ parish).

2 Choose a map of an appropriate scale with the boundary divisions identified but usually not named on the map.

3 Examine the extremes of data and note any breaks or clustering in the values.

4 Divide the data in groups, generally, not more than five with even intervals.

5 Pencil in the group on the map to check for visual effect.

6 Assign a shade of one colour to each group - darkest shade . for highest intensity; lightest for lowest.

Avoid black or white which gives the impression of all or nothing.

7 Check that map has a title, frame, key, scale and north arrow

It is desirable to use data from small areas
if data is available. Line shading may be used instead of colour

Question 17

Merits of choropleth maps (3)

Answer 17

There is immediate visual impression of spatial variation of density by shade association

The actual density values can be identified.

There is an objective calculation of values

Question 18

demerits of choropleth maps

Answer 18

The sharp boundaries between divisions give a false impression of change.

Equal densities over large areas hide within area variations.

The image is dominated by large areas in the same shade.

They show rates, that is, population/area rather than total values.

Question 19

Define ‘crude density’ of population

Answer 19

the number of people per unit area

Question 20

A very small percentage of the world’s population controls and consumes

Answer 20

a high proportion of the world’s resources