Page 25 - ICSE GEOGRAPHY
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two regions mentioned above, the terrain Population Density
and environment are not as important in
Population density is the average number
determinig the population distribution.
of people per square kilometre. It is a way
Another contrast lies in the fact that the
of measuring the population distribution. It
majority of the European population lives in
is aff ected by the size of an area. Th e same
cities and towns, leaving the rural countryside
population size with a larger area will change
more open and sparsely populated. Th ese
the density of population. Population density
contrasts with the eastern and South
is calculated using the following formula.
Asian clusters are a result of the Industrial
Revolution that took place in Europe over Total population
Population density =
200 years ago. Total land area in km 2
Fact Corner Factors Responsible for the Population
Growth
Macau: The highest population density
Area: 28.2 km Th e growth of population depends on a
2
number of factors. Th ese factors can be
Population: 456,989
2
Density: 16,205 people per km broadly grouped into three major categories
Macau is located on the western coast of • Physical factors
China. It is almost entirely urban with most
food, water and energy supplies being • Economic factors
imported. Tourism and manufacturing • Social and cultural factors
pay for these necessities. The landmass of
Macau has grown almost threefold in the Physical Factors
last century due to the use of artifi cial land Physical factors play a vital role in the
reclaimed from the sea. This was done to
relieve the population density. density and distribution of a population.
Th ese factors include landform, climate, soil,
Based on the above information we can say among others. Th ough there has been a lot
that the world’s population distribution is of improvement in technology, the patterns
divided into three main groups. of population distribution all over the world
1. Areas of low density continue to refl ect the infl uence of various
• Less than 10 people per square physical factors.
kilometre • Landforms: Th e altitude and slope of the
• Examples include the Sahara Desert land are the main attributes that determine
and Canada population density and distribution. Th e
2. Areas of medium density
evidence of the infl uence of altitude and
• 10–50 people per square kilometre slope on population density and
• Examples include California, distribution can be observed in the
south-east Australia and the Nile diff erence in population between
Valley in Egypt
3. Areas of high density mountains and plains. For example,
the Gangetic Plains are among the most
• Above 50 people per square kilometre
densely populated areas of the world
• Examples include South Asia and
while mountains such as the Andes, Alps
Europe
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