population p1 Flashcards
Density of population
Number of people living in a unit area is called density of population
Physical Factors affecting distribution of population
- Relief
- Climate
- Availability of water
- Soils
Human factors affecting population
- Agriculture
- Mining
- Transportation
- Urbanisation
- Political factors and government policies
Relief
Population is densely distributed on flat plains and gentle slopes.
This is because such areas are favourable for the production of crops. In these areas it is easier to build roads and develop
industries. The mountainous and hilly areas tend to be less populated. If means of livelihood are available, population can be concentrated in few such areas. For example, Dehradun,
Leh, etc. Thus, it can be concluded that plateaus or mountainous areas are less populated than plains.
Climate
Extreme climates such as very hot or cold deserts or regions with very heavy rainfall are uncomfortable for human habitation. They have less population. Areas with an equable climate, where there is not much seasonal variation, attract more people. Mediterranean regions were inhabited due to their pleasant climate. In cold climates, only people like the Eskimos and Lapps, who are highly adapted to such climates, can live in these regions. Vast equatorial areas of the Amazon lowland and Congo basin are very sparsely populated due to their unfavourable climate.
Availability of water
It is the most important factor for life for all living beings including man. So, people prefer to live in areas where fresh or potable water is easily available. It is because of this, that river valleys and coastal areas are among the most densely populated areas of the world. For example, Nile valley and coastal plains of India are one of the most densely populated areas of the world. In deserts too, population is found near oases. For examples, Phalodi from Thar desert and Al-Ahsa from Saudi Arabia have developed around oases
Soils
Fertile soils are important for agricultural and allied activities. Therefore, areas which have fertile loamy soils have more people living on them, as these can support intensive agriculture. The flood plains of the river Mississippi, the Ganga, the Irrawaddy, the Yangtze are examples of areas having high densities of population. Similarly, areas having Regur or black soils are also densely populated. The slopes and foothills of many volcanoes have high densities of population as their slopes are covered with fertile volcanic soil. The slopes and foothills of volcanoes in Java, Japan, Sicily and Central America support many people.
Agriculture
Increase in agricultural production due to use of fertilisers and irrigation make it possible to support more population. Type of agriculture, crops grown, method of cultivation and specialisation of particular crops are other characteristics of agriculture that affect the distribution of population.
Mining
Areas with good quality mineral deposits attract industries. Mining and industrial activities generate employment. So, skilled and semi–skilled workers move to these areas and make them densely populated. the Chota Nagpur Plateau in India, coal and iron fields of Western Europe, the Manchurian region of China are examples where population is dense due to availability of minerals. Some minerals are highly valuable and they are extracted despite odd physical conditions. In such areas, population may be dense. This is true for precious and rare minerals like gold and mineral oil. For example, gold mines area in the Australian desert, mineral oil in the desert regions of South-West Asian countries.
Transportation
Roads and railways make the area more accesible. Such areas provide favourable conditions for manufacturing and developing companies, which generates employment. People move to this area in search of employment and thus the density rises.
Population increases in port cities due to availability of sea transport for development of trade.
For eg: Mumbai and Chennai
Urbanisation
The growth of industries is responsible for the development of towns and cities. Tertiary activities like transportation, trade and other services also increase in order to cater to the needs of the growing urban population. Cities offer better employment opportunities, educational and medical facilities, better means of transport and communication. In many areas of the world, a continuous urban belt is found. For example, Greater Mumbai
Political factors and government policies
Besides all the above factors, the policies of various governments also affect population distribution and density. A government may choose to promote population in an area or depopulate it. For example, the government promoted human settlement in parts of Siberia by giving more opportunities and special incentives. For example, in Japan, the government is giving incentives to people to leave Tokyo, as about one third of Japan lives in Tokyo
Population growth
- Population growth is the change in number of inhabitants of a territory during specific period of time.
- Growth of population can be expressed either in terms of absolute number or in percentage.
- Change of population is an economic indicator of development and social upliftment.
- Birth rate (BR), Death rate (DR) and Migration are three components of change of population.
Crude birth rate
Crude birth rate (CBR) is expressed as number of live births in a year per thousand of population
Crude death rate
Crude death rate is expressed as number of death in a year per thousand of population
