UK population distribution, Southampton location

Question 1

where is the UK sparsely populated and why?

Answer 1

• far North and majority of Wales is sparsely populated, with less than 100 people per km^2.
• this is because these are mountainous areas, so:
• transport is more difficult.
• the terrain is more difficult to build on.
• the weather is cold, wet, and windy.
• food access is limited.
• water and electricity is unreliable.

Question 2

where is the UK more densely populated?

Answer 2

England is incredibly densely populated, especially the south-east and major cities across the country.

Question 3

where is Southampton?

Answer 3

in the very south of England, south-west of London. on the south coast of England, bordering the English channel.

Question 4

how is Southampton connected to the rest of the UK and to the world?

Answer 4

• has two motorways to connect it with the rest of the UK. has the M27 east to Portsmouth and the M27 west to Bournemouth, and the M3 to London.
• international airport. 18th busiest airport in the UK. 2 million passengers per year to 30 destinations.
• second largest deep sea terminal. is the UK’s leading port for vehicle exports.
• busiest cruise turnaround point in Northern Europe - ‘the home of the UK cruises’.
• Red Funnel Ferries runs car and passenger links from the town quay to the Isle of Wight.

Question 5

what is Southampton’s importance to the country?

Answer 5

• largest city in the south of England with a population of 259,000.
• Fawley Esso refinery is largest petrol refinery in the country, provides 20% of the nation’s capacity, employs 3000 people.
• regional shopping centre with retail parks and West Quay.
• Southampton Hospital is a leading centre for cancer treatments.
• Marchwood Incinerator burns city waste a produces electricity for the National Grid.
• its geothermal power station is the first in the UK.
• second largest container port in UK - imports and exports from across the globe. one of the few places in the UK that’s deep enough for the biggest container ships.

Question 6

what is Southampton’s importance to the rest of the world?

Answer 6

• the mile-long marine terminal handles 2000 ship movements and 22 million tonnes of crude oil annually.
• gateway to Europe; just 100 miles from mainland Europe. 50% of trade with the Far East and the Middle East goes through here.
• airport links to many European destinations.
• Europe’s leading cruise ship terminal - handles 200 per year.
• Southampton University attracts students from all over the world, in the top 1% of unis worldwide. important centre of research and innovation.
• Keyhaven Nature Reserve is mainly mudflats and saltmarshes - very important for migrating birds.