Question

“Population distribution pattern in India is highly uneven.” Explain the statement with examples.

Hint:

Population distribution is shaped by geography, economic factors, and historical development. Urbanization and fertile land are key determinants.

Answer 1

The population distribution pattern in India is uneven, meaning that population density is not uniformly spread across the country. There are both densely populated and sparsely populated areas, influenced by physical, economic, and historical factors.
Densely Populated Areas: The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, including West Bengal and parts of Uttar Pradesh, has one of the highest population densities in India due to its fertile land, irrigation resources, and historical trade routes.
Sparsely Populated Areas: The Thar Desert in Rajasthan and the Himalayan region in Jammu and Kashmir have low population densities. These areas face challenges such as extreme climates and difficult terrain, which hinder human settlement.
Urban vs Rural Disparity: Urban centers like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai have very high population concentrations, while rural areas, especially in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, exhibit a more scattered distribution. This uneven distribution is also linked to economic activities, with densely populated areas generally having more employment opportunities, better infrastructure, and urbanization.