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Population: distribution, density and growth
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There are more than 8 billion people on Earth, but they are spread very unevenly. Geographers ask where people live, and why.
Distribution and density
Population distribution is how people are spread out. Population density is how many people live in an area, usually per square kilometre.
Density = number of people / area. A city of 2,000,000 people covering 500 km2 has a density of 4,000 people per km2.
Densely populated places are crowded; sparsely populated places have few people.
Density = number of people / area. A city of 2,000,000 people covering 500 km2 has a density of 4,000 people per km2.
Densely populated places are crowded; sparsely populated places have few people.
Why do people live where they do?
Physical factors: flat land, fertile soil, a mild climate and water attract people. Mountains, deserts, very cold places and thick forest put people off.
Human factors: jobs, good transport and services attract people.
That is why few people live in the Sahara, Antarctica or the Himalayas, but many live in river valleys and on coasts.
Human factors: jobs, good transport and services attract people.
That is why few people live in the Sahara, Antarctica or the Himalayas, but many live in river valleys and on coasts.
Population growth
The world's population passed 8 billion in 2022 (UN).
Birth rate and death rate are measured per 1,000 people per year. Natural increase = birth rate minus death rate.
Migration also changes population.
A population pyramid shows a country's population by age and sex. A wide base means many children; a narrow base means few births.
Birth rate and death rate are measured per 1,000 people per year. Natural increase = birth rate minus death rate.
Migration also changes population.
A population pyramid shows a country's population by age and sex. A wide base means many children; a narrow base means few births.
A country has a birth rate of 32 per 1,000 and a death rate of 9 per 1,000. What is its natural increase?
- Natural increase = birth rate minus death rate.
- 32 minus 9 = 23.
- So the natural increase is 23 per 1,000 people per year.
Answer: 23 per 1,000
Distribution is how people are spread; density = people / area. Physical and human factors explain where people live. World population passed 8 billion in 2022. Natural increase = birth rate minus death rate (per 1,000). Population pyramids show age and sex structure.
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