Theme 1 - 1.4 - Population Density And Distribution Flashcards
What is population density?
The average number of people per square kilometre in a country or region.
What is population distribution?
The way that the population is spread out over a given area, from a small region to the Earth as a whole.
What does densely populated area mean?
An area with high population density.
What does sparsely populated area mean?
An area with low population density.
What is the difference in population density between the less developed world and the more developed world?
The average population density in the less developed world is more than 2.5 times times that of the more developed world.
Which continents have the lowest population densities?
1) Oceania
2) North America
What is the population density of North America?
16 per km2
What is the population density of Oceania?
4 per km2
Which continent has the highest population density?
Asia
What is the population density of Asia?
134 per km2
When do the most uniform distributions of population happen?
Where there is little variation in the physical and human environments.
What is the result of contrasts in physical and human environments within a region (in terms of population)?
Varying population densities within the region.
What are some factors which may result in low population density?
- Hostile environment -> Mountains, polar regions, deserts, etc.
- Low solid fertility -> Historically deterred people
- Poor water supply
- Lack of minerals, resources, etc.
What are some factors which may result in high population density?
- Steady climate
- Good soil fertility -> Encouraged settlers to settle there
- Good water supply
- Mineral resources (e.g. coalfields) -> Led to development of towns
- Good infrastructure
Does population density change?
Of course. It is particularly increasing in regions as countries with the fastest rates of population growth.
