Definitions [1]
Definition: Population Density
Population density is the number of people living in a particular area per square kilometre.
Formulae [5]
Population Growth
Population Growth = Present Population - Earlier Population
Population Growth Rate
\[\text{Population}\text{growth rate}=\frac{\text{Population growth}}{\text{Earlier population}}\times100\]
Density of Population
\[\begin{aligned}
& \text{Density of population}=\frac{\text{Total population}}{\text{Total area (in sq. km.)}}
\end{aligned}\]
Crude Birth Rate
\[CBR=\frac{\text{Total number of live births in a year}}{\text{Total population in that year}}\times1000\]
Crude Death Rate
\[CDR=\frac{\text{Total number of deaths in a year}}{\text{Total population in that year}}\times1000\]
Key Points
Key Points: Distribution of Population in India
- Dense population → Northern plains (Ganga–Brahmaputra region).
- Highest density (2011) → Bihar; also high in West Bengal & Kerala.
- Sparse population → Himalayan region, Thar Desert, North-East hills.
- Kerala → Most densely populated state in South India.
- Population density = Number of persons per sq. km.
Key Points: Population Growth and Explosion
- Birth rate and death rate together decide whether the population will grow, stay stable, or decline.
- Demographic Transition Theory explains that every country passes through different stages of population change over time.
- Stage 1 (High Stationary): Birth rate and death rate are both high, so population growth is almost stable.
- Stage 2 (Early Expanding / Population Explosion): Death rate falls but birth rate stays high, so population increases very fast.
- Stage 3 to 5 (Growth slows): Birth rate starts decreasing; in Stage 4, growth is very low, and in Stage 5, the population may experience zero growth or decline (more old people, fewer children).
Key Points: Distribution of Population
- Population Geography studies people, their numbers, and where they live in the world.
- In 2019, the world population was about 7.7 billion, and it is not evenly spread.
- Asia has the largest population (around 60%), though it has about 30% of the land.
- North and South America together have about 28% land but only 18% population.
- Antarctica has land but no permanent population.
Key Points: Geographical Factors Affecting Population Distribution> Physical Factors
- Relief (Landforms): Plains and gentle slopes are densely populated because they are suitable for farming, transport, and industries. Mountains and plateaus are less populated.
- Climate: Areas with moderate (equable) climate attract more people. Very hot, cold, or heavy rainfall regions have low population.
- Water Availability: People prefer to live near rivers, lakes, coasts, and oases because water is essential for life. River valleys like the Nile and Ganga are densely populated.
- Soil Fertility: Fertile soils support agriculture, so floodplains and volcanic soil regions have high population density.
- Risk Factors: Though volcanic regions have fertile soil and high population, volcanic eruptions can cause serious damage and loss of life.
Key Points: Geographical Factors Affecting Population Distribution> Human Factors
- Agriculture: Improved farming methods, irrigation, and fertilisers increase food production and support more population.
- Mining and Industries: Areas rich in minerals attract industries and workers, leading to a dense population.
- Transportation: Good road, rail, and sea transport increases accessibility and population density, especially in port cities.
- Urbanisation: Growth of industries and services leads to the development of cities, offering better jobs, education, and healthcare.
- Government Policies: Government decisions and incentives can encourage or discourage population settlement in certain areas.
Key Points: Components of Population Change
- Population Change means an increase or decrease in the number of people in a region over a period of time.
- Population change can be positive (growth) or negative (decline).
- There are three main components of population change: births, deaths, and migration.
- Crude Birth Rate shows the number of live births in a year per thousand people.
- Crude Death Rate shows the number of deaths in a year per thousand people.
Key Points: Patterns of Population Distribution in the World
- Population distribution means how people are spread over the Earth’s surface.
- Population and population density are unevenly distributed across the world.
- Snow-covered regions near the North and South Poles are sparsely populated.
- Hot deserts, mountains, and hilly areas have low population.
- Coastal areas and plains are densely populated, while thick forests (like the Amazon Valley) have less population.
Important Questions [8]
- Mark and name the following on the outline map of the world with suitable index: Sparsely populated region in Australia. Country in the fifth stage of demographic transition theory-Sweden.
- Draw a diagram and label it: Linear settlement
- Write a short note on : Impact of relief on population distribution.
- Assertion: Fertile plain regions are densely populated. Reason: Fertile soil is useful for agriculture.
- Explain the physical factors affecting the distribution of the population.
- Explain the human factors affecting distribution of population.
- Give a geographical reason: Population increases because of transportation facilities.
- Arrange cities having inter-national airports from East to West - New York Delhi Tokyo London
Concepts [8]
- Distribution of Population in India
- Patterns of Population Distribution in the World
- Geographical Factors Affecting Population Distribution
- Geographical Factors Affecting Population Distribution - Physical Factors
- Geographical Factors Affecting Population Distribution - Human Factors
- Components of Population Change
- Trends in Population Growth
- Overview of Population : Part - 1
