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Population Distribution
Revision Notes
Key Points
- Population distribution refers to the way the human population is spread out across a geographic area
- Physical factors like climate, topography, and natural resources affect population distribution
- Human factors like economic activities, transportation, and political/social factors also influence population distribution
- Population distribution can be uneven, clustered, linear, or random
- Understanding population distribution is important for planning and resource allocation
Definition of Population Distribution
Population distribution refers to the way the human population is spread out across a geographic area, such as a country, continent, or the entire world.
Factors Affecting Population Distribution
Physical Factors:
- Climate (temperature and precipitation)
- Topography (mountains, rivers, coastlines)
- Soil fertility and availability of natural resources
Human Factors:
- Economic activities (agriculture, industry, trade)
- Transportation networks (roads, railways, ports)
- Political and social factors (government policies, wars, cultural preferences)
Patterns of Population Distribution
- Uneven distribution: Some areas are densely populated, while others are sparsely populated.
- Clustered distribution: People tend to live in clusters, such as cities and towns, rather than being evenly spread out.
- Linear distribution: Population is distributed along linear features, such as coastlines, rivers, or transportation routes.
- Random distribution: Population is scattered without any clear pattern.