Question

Discuss the factors influencing the distribution and density of population in the world.

Hint:

To structure your answer, always remember the three main categories of factors: \textbf{Geographical} (nature-related), \textbf{Economic} (job and money-related), and \textbf{Social/Political} (people and government-related). This framework will help you cover all key points comprehensively.

Answer 1

The distribution and density of the world's population are highly uneven. Some areas are densely populated while others are sparsely populated. This variation is influenced by a complex interplay of several factors, which can be broadly categorized into geographical, economic, and social-cultural factors.
1. Geographical Factors These factors relate to the physical environment and its resource potential.

Availability of Water: Water is the most essential factor for life. People prefer to live in areas where fresh water is easily available for drinking, agriculture, and industry. River valleys like the Nile, Ganges, and Yangtze are among the most densely populated regions in the world. Conversely, deserts with scarce water are sparsely populated.

Landforms: People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes. These areas are favorable for crop production, road construction, and industrial development. The Indo-Gangetic Plains, the plains of North America, and Europe are densely populated. Mountainous and hilly areas with rugged terrain, like the Himalayas or the Andes, are sparsely populated due to difficulties in transport, agriculture, and construction.

Climate: Areas with a comfortable and temperate climate, without extreme variations in temperature, attract more people. Mediterranean regions are popular due to their pleasant climate. Extreme climates, such as the hot and humid Amazon basin, the frigid polar regions, or hot deserts like the Sahara, have very low population densities.

Soils: Fertile soils are crucial for agriculture. Areas with fertile loamy or alluvial soils can support intensive agriculture and thus a large population. The riverine plains of China, India, and the United States are examples. Areas with thin, rocky, or infertile soils cannot support large populations.

2. Economic Factors These factors relate to the economic opportunities available in an area.

Minerals: The discovery of mineral deposits can lead to a population surge in an area, even if the climate is harsh. The mining and industrial activities create job opportunities. The Katanga-Zambia copper belt in Africa and the gold rush areas in Australia are examples.

Urbanisation: Cities and towns are centers of economic activity, offering better employment opportunities, educational and health facilities, and higher standards of living. This pulls a large number of migrants from rural areas, leading to high population density in urban centers like Tokyo, Mumbai, and New York.

Industrialisation: Industrial belts provide numerous jobs and attract a large number of workers. These include not just factory workers but also transport operators, shopkeepers, service providers, etc. The Kobe-Osaka region in Japan is an example of a densely populated industrial region.

3. Social and Cultural Factors These factors relate to human society and its organization.

Religious or Cultural Significance: Places with religious or cultural importance often attract more people. Cities like Jerusalem, Varanasi, and Rome are examples where people have settled for centuries due to their cultural or religious significance.

Political Stability and Government Policies: People tend to move away from places with political turmoil, civil unrest, and war. Stable and peaceful countries attract more people. Governments can also influence population distribution through policies, such as offering incentives to settle in sparsely populated areas or creating planned cities.