population Studies Flashcards
population size definition
The number of people living in a place
Population density definition
The number of people per unit square
Population distribution definition
The way in which people are spread across an area of land
What are the factors affecting population size
Change in population density
Changes in economic/ political practices
Change in land use by humans
What are the factors affecting population density?
Physical factors:
- relief
- climate
- vegetation and soil
- resources
Manmade factors:
- accessibility
- political factors
What are the factors affecting population distribution?
- climate
- natural resources
- work opportunities
- social services
What is overpopulation? People + consumption
People overpopulation:
- happens when there is a pressure in an area from more people in a place than the area can support
Consumption overpopulation :
- happens when a small number of people apply pressure by overusing resources in an area
Explain how a choropleth map works
- uses colours or different shades to show how population density changes from one country to another
- gives a range of figures to describe density
- small differences between countries tried can seem large
- may show that population is equally distributed across the country
Explain how a dot map works
- Gives absolute number of people
- May indicate that some areas area completely uninhabited because the numbers were too small to warrant a symbol
- Each dot represents an absolute number so more dots → higher population density
Causes of sparse population
(E.g. Himalayas)
Mountainous
Highland
Harsh climate
Rocky
Steep slopes
Poor soil
Rural farming
Remote/ inaccessible
Causes of high population
(E.g. Hong Kong)
Good infrastructure, piped water and electricity
Good transport and communication
High rise housing
Facilities (e.g. Education, health, entertainment)
Many job opportunites and office buildings
Coastal area
Planning governement/ URA
How does relief affect sparse population and dense population?
Sparse population:
High rugged mountains
Temperature and pressure is low,
Communication is difficult
Flat land for settlement and cultivation is limited
(E.g. Himalayan mountains in India, High Andes Mountains in South America)
Dense population:
Low-lying flat land for
- growing crops
- Building houses, shops, factories and other buildings
- Constructing means of transport and public utilities
(E.g. Ganges Delta in India, Chang Jiang Delta in China)
How does climate affect sparse population and dense population?
Sparse population:
- extreme climatic conditions (prolonged droughts/cold) that make living conditions and plant growth difficult
(E.g. Sahara Desert)
Dense population:
- absence of extreme temperatures, adequate rainfall and suitable temperature for plant growth
- water requirement met only by irrigation when there is a definite dry season
(E.g. north-west europe , India)
How does vegetation and soil affect sparse and dense populations?
Sparse populations:
- Infertile grassland due to thin/ frozen/ poor/ waterlogged layer of soil
- Not suitable for growth of vegetation
(E.g. Coniferous forests like in North Canada; Tundra in Siberia)
- Dense forest hinders clearance for settlements
(E.g. Amazon Basin)
Dense populations:
- Well-drained fertile soils that retain sufficient moisture for plant growths
(E.g. Alluvial soil on the Hwang He floodplaid and volcanic soil on the slope of Gunong Merapi in Indonesia)
- Less dense forest for easy clearance
(E.g. Temeperate deciduous forest)
How do resources affect sparse and dense populations?
Sparse populations:
- Few minerals (e.g. Ethiopia), few energy sources, poor soils, poor water supplies. Will not encourage industrial growth
(E.g. the Sahel in Africa)
Dense populations:
- rich resources for farming or industry. Attract settlers and development of industries
(E.g. Ruhr coalfield, Germany)
