(a) Explain the economic factors affecting the distribution of world population. OR (b) Explain the physical factors affecting the distribution of world population.

Question

cdquestions Admin · Accepted Answer

Step 1: Introduction to Population Distribution. The distribution of world population is uneven. Some areas are densely populated while others are sparsely populated or even uninhabited. This uneven distribution is influenced by various factors that can be broadly classified into physical factors and economic (human) factors. Option 1: Economic Factors Affecting Population Distribution Step 2: Definition of Economic Factors. Economic factors refer to human-made conditions and opportunities that influence where people choose to live. These factors are related to livelihood, employment, and standard of living. Step 3: Detailed explanation of economic factors. Agriculture and Land Use: Areas with fertile soil and favorable climate for agriculture attract large populations Regions practicing intensive agriculture can support high population densities Example: Indo-Gangetic Plains, Nile Delta, Yangtze River Valley Subsistence farming areas may have moderate to high population density depending on productivity Commercial farming areas may have lower population density due to mechanization Industrial Development: Industrial areas attract workers and create employment opportunities Concentration of industries leads to urbanization and population clustering Example: Ruhr Valley (Germany), Manchester (UK), Detroit (USA), Mumbai-Pune belt (India) Industrial corridors and special economic zones become population magnets Heavy industries, manufacturing hubs, and industrial estates create job opportunities Mineral Resources: Areas with rich mineral deposits attract mining activities and settlements Mining towns develop around coal, iron ore, gold, diamond, and oil deposits Example: Johannesburg (gold), Dubai (oil), Jharkhand coal belt, Persian Gulf oil regions Resource extraction creates direct and indirect employment Transportation and processing industries develop around mining areas Transportation and Trade: Major trade routes and transport hubs become centers of population concentration Port cities develop as centers of commerce and trade Example: Mumbai, New York, Shanghai, Rotterdam, Singapore Railway junctions and highway intersections attract settlements River ports and canal systems support population clusters Urbanization and Economic Opportunities: Cities offer diverse employment opportunities in services, manufacturing, and trade Rural-to-urban migration driven by better economic prospects Example: Megacities like Tokyo, Delhi, Sao Paulo, Mexico City Service sector growth in urban areas attracts skilled and unskilled workers Informal sector in cities provides livelihood for many migrants Tourism and Recreation: Tourist destinations develop population centers to support tourism industry Example: Coastal resorts (Miami, Goa), Hill stations (Shimla, Switzerland), Religious centers (Mecca, Varanasi) Hospitality, transport, and retail sectors create employment Seasonal population fluctuations in tourist areas Government Policies and Incentives: Government investments in infrastructure and industry attract population Special economic zones and industrial parks create employment Example: Development of Brasilia (Brazil), Chandigarh (India) Subsidies and incentives for business development in specific regions Regional development policies aim to redistribute population Trade and Commerce: Commercial centers and market towns develop as trading hubs Wholesale and retail trade create employment opportunities Example: Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore as global trading centers Border towns with cross-border trade develop significant populations Employment Opportunities: Areas with diverse job opportunities attract migrants Formal and informal sector employment influences settlement patterns Example: Information technology hubs (Bangalore, Silicon Valley) Financial centers (New York, London, Tokyo) attract skilled workforce Standard of Living and Infrastructure: Areas with better infrastructure (roads, electricity, water, healthcare, education) attract population Higher standard of living encourages in-migration Urban areas with better amenities have higher population density Quality of life considerations influence residential choices Option 2: Physical Factors Affecting Population Distribution Step 2: Definition of Physical Factors. Physical factors refer to natural environmental conditions that influence where people can live and how many people an area can support. Step 3: Detailed explanation of physical factors. Relief and Topography: Plains and flat lands are densely populated due to ease of agriculture, construction, and transport Mountains and hilly areas are sparsely populated due to difficult terrain and harsh conditions Example: Indo-Gangetic Plains (high density), Himalayas (low density) Plateaus may have moderate to high density depending on soil and climate Valleys within mountains may have concentrated population (Kashmir Valley, Kathmandu Valley) Steep slopes are avoided for settlements and agriculture Climate: Moderate climates (temperate and tropical) with adequate rainfall support higher population Extreme climates (very hot deserts, very cold polar regions) have very low population Example: Mediterranean climate areas (dense), Sahara Desert (sparse), Siberia (sparse) Monsoon regions with seasonal rainfall support high agricultural population Areas with frequent climatic hazards (cyclones, droughts) may have lower density Soil Fertility: Fertile soils support agriculture and thus higher population density Alluvial soils (river valleys) are highly productive Example: Nile Delta, Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta, Yangtze Valley Volcanic soils (Java, Indonesia) support high population density Infertile soils (desert soils, laterite soils) support low population Water Availability: Areas with adequate fresh water supply support higher population River valleys, lake shores, and coastal areas have high population density Example: Nile River settlements, Ganga river basin, Great Lakes region (USA-Canada) Arid and semi-arid regions have sparse population due to water scarcity Groundwater availability influences settlement patterns in dry regions Mineral Resources: Presence of mineral deposits attracts population for mining activities Example: Gold mines in Johannesburg, coal mines in Dhanbad, oil fields in Middle East Mining towns develop even in physically challenging environments Resource-rich areas may have higher population density than surrounding regions Vegetation and Forests: Dense forests (tropical rainforests) are sparsely populated due to difficult clearing and diseases Example: Amazon Basin, Congo Basin (low density) Open woodlands and grasslands support moderate population Deforestation for agriculture increases population density in previously forested areas Drainage: Well-drained areas are preferred for settlement and agriculture Swampy and marshy areas are sparsely populated (Sundarbans, Everglades) Flood-prone areas may have seasonal settlements or lower density River deltas combine fertile soil with drainage challenges Altitude: Low altitudes (below 500 meters) are generally more densely populated Population density decreases with increasing altitude High altitude areas (Andes, Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau) have sparse population Exceptions: Some high altitude valleys with favorable conditions (La Paz, Lhasa, Leh) Natural Hazards: Areas prone to earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, cyclones may have lower population density However, fertile volcanic soils may attract population despite risks (Japan, Indonesia, Italy) Coastal areas vulnerable to tsunamis may have warning systems but still attract population Flood plains may have high population despite annual flooding (Bangladesh) Coastal Location: Coastal areas generally have higher population density due to trade, climate, and resources Example: Eastern and Western coastal plains of India, Mediterranean coast Access to marine resources and international trade Moderate maritime climate attracts settlement Step 4: Interaction of Physical and Economic Factors. In reality, population distribution is influenced by the combination of physical and economic factors. For example: Indo-Gangetic Plain: Fertile soil (physical) + intensive agriculture (economic) = high density Mumbai: Natural harbor (physical) + trade and industry (economic) = high density Sahara Desert: Arid climate (physical) + limited economic opportunities = very low density Answer: The distribution of world population is influenced by physical factors (relief, climate, soil, water, minerals, vegetation) and economic factors (agriculture, industry, minerals, transport, urbanization, trade, government policies). Fertile plains, moderate climates, water availability, and resource-rich areas attract high population, while mountains, deserts, extreme climates, and areas with poor soils have sparse population. Economic opportunities in industrial areas, urban centers, and trade routes further concentrate population. The interaction of these factors creates the uneven global population distribution pattern we observe today.

(a) Explain the economic factors affecting the distribution of world population. OR (b) Explain the physical factors affecting the distribution of world population.

Show Hint

Solution and Explanation

Top Questions on Agriculture

Questions Asked in CBSE CLASS XII exam