Question

“The spatial distribution of population in India is highly uneven.” Discuss with the suitable examples from different parts of the country.

Answer 1

India’s population is not spread evenly across its territory. Some areas have very high densities, while others are sparsely populated. This variation is influenced by relief, climate, soil, resources, and historical factors.

1. Densely Populated Areas:
   1. Indo-Ganga-Brahmaputra Plains States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Punjab have densities above 800 persons/sq. km.
   2. Reasons: Fertile alluvial soil, flat terrain, favorable climate, irrigation facilities, and a good transport network.
2. Moderately Populated Areas:
   1. Peninsular Plateau regions Parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
   2. Reasons: Moderate rainfall, less fertile soils than the plains, but with urban-industrial centers like Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad.
3. Sparsely Populated Areas:
   1. Himalayan states Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh have densities below 100 persons/sq. km.
   2. Reasons: Rugged terrain, cold climate, and poor accessibility.
   3. Thar Desert (Rajasthan) Low rainfall, sandy soil, and water scarcity limit settlement.
   4. Andaman & Nicobar Islands Isolation, dense forests, and limited resources.