Population Density & Distribution (Cambridge International IGCSE Environmental Management)

World population distribution

• The spread of people across a region is referred to as population distribution

• It shows how people are distributed (spread) or concentrated in particular areas

  • East/South/Southeast Asia and Europe are densely populated because they are **fertile, temperate, and resource-rich **areas with good transport, flat land and reliable water supplies

• Sparse populations exist in extreme climates (deserts, poles) or challenging terrains, because of physical factors (poor soil, steep land or limited access to water) and** human elements** (lack of jobs, poor infrastructure, etc.)

  • Examples include the Sahara Desert, Antarctica, the Amazon rainforest and the Himalayas

• Most people live in towns and cities, lowland areas, along rivers, and coasts

  • Approximately 55% of the world now lives in cities but the UN predicts this will reach 68% by 2050 as urbanisation increases
  • Most people live within 1000 km of the sea
  • 90% of the population live on low ground below 500 m above sea level

Note that the highest population densities are found in the northern hemisphere

Population density

• Population density is the number of people living in a given area

• It is usually measured in people per square kilometre (km²)

• High population density means that a lot of people live in a small area

  • Western Europe, Southeast Asia and the Northeast USA have high-density areas of over 200 people/km²

• A low population density means that there are only a few people living in a large area

Worked Example Explain one factor that affects population density

[2 marks]

Answer

One factor is climate. [1] Areas with mild temperatures and regular rainfall attract people because farming and daily life are easier. [1]

Marking guidance

• 1 mark [1] for the identification of a factor
• 1 mark [1] for a clear explanation of how it affects population density

Alternative content

• Alternative content could refer to:

  • Relief
  • Water supply
  • Transport
  • Employment opportunities
  • Political stability

Common mistakes

• Some students fail to explain how the factor affects where people live.