Question

Analyse the effects of geographical factors on the distribution of world population. 

Answer 1

Effects of Geographical factors on the distribution of the world population are as follows:

1. Availability of water: It is the most critical factor in life. People prefer to live in areas where fresh water is readily available. Water is essential for the development of agriculture and for carrying out day-to-day activities.
2. Landforms: People prefer to live in flat plains and gentle slopes as they are favourable for the production of crops and for building roads and industries. The mountainous and uneven terrain offers obstacles in infrastructure development activities that hamper human development and hence are less populated. Eg: Himalayan regions in India.
3. Climate: People prefer living in areas that do not have extreme climatic conditions, that is, areas that do not have a high daily and annual range of temperature and adequate rainfall. Eg. Mediterranean regions.
4. Soils: Fertile soils are essential for agricultural and allied activities. Therefore, areas with fertile loamy soils have more people living in them as these can support intensive agriculture. Eg. Northern plains.