Population density: The number of people living per unit of area/ per km².

Population distribution: The way in which population is spread out over a given area. 

 

Factors affecting population density & distribution 

Physical factors 

Relief

• Low/flat land/valley densely populated; high/steep/mountainous sparsely populated

• Easy to build on; Difficult to build on

• Easy to farm/fertile soil; Difficult to farm/have thin soils

• Easy access/main road; Poor access/few roads

• Close to river/water supply; Away from river/water supply

• High/moderate temperatures in low areas; Snow/low temperatures in high areas.

• In tropical areas, higher land is attractive to live in as temperatures are lower.

• Flood plains/ swampy areas are not built on. 

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Climate 

• People live in areas of temperate climates/ warm/ not too cold

• People live in areas of sufficient rainfall; Dry desert areas sparsely populated

 

Resources

• People live near a river: for reliable water supply

• People live near fertile soil: for food production 

• Near to natural resources/fossil fuels/minerals

 

Other physical factors

• Defensive sites e.g. surrounded by mountains/meander/on a hill

• Large areas of dense vegetation/ rainforest are sparsely populated

• Areas near volcanoes are attractive: So people can work in the tourist industry.

• Areas near coastlines are attractive

 

How climate affects population density & distribution

• People live in areas of sufficient rainfall

• As they are able to be able to grow crops

• Suffer from dehydration/heat stroke

• People live in areas of temperate climates/ warm/ not too cold

• (Cold so) It is difficult to build houses

• (Cold so) It is difficult to build transport routes;

• Suffer from frostbite

• Diseases such as malaria spread in warm climates

 

Why coastlines have high population density compared to landlocked areas

• Development of port/ harbour

• Industry develops at port/harbour, e.g. fishing/power stations

• Provides trade links/coastlines allow imports/exports 

• Landlocked areas are not as easily accessible

• Tourism/beaches for tourists

• Climate may be moderated by ocean/climate is more extreme inland

 

Why hot desert areas have low population density

• Lack of water/ low rainfall/ arid

• People cannot survive without water supplies; dehydration

• Cannot grow crops/ irrigate land

• Poor soils/only sand/infertile soil

• Too hot during the day and cold at night

• Sand storms

• Remote/ inaccessible

• Lack of jobs/raw materials

 

Why areas near the Arctic have low population density

• Long winters/short summers

• Cold weather/snow/ice

• Hard to grow crops

• Bare rock/thin soils/large boulders

• Mountains/hills/high/steep/rugged/not flat land/ravine/steep valleys

• Isolation/remoteness

• Lack of transportation

• Volcanic activity/volcano/geysers

• Forested

 

Economic factors

• Economically developed/ stable economy

• Level of employment - eg. in tourism, etc. 

• Government investment

• Accessibility

• Roads/ railway line/ motorways

• Ports/ trade/ imports/ exports

• Isolation/remoteness/long distance from other settlements

• Availability of resources

• Healthcare/ education improved to attract people

• Multiplier effect

• Poverty may lead to high density/ shanty towns

 

Why areas with good transport networks are densely populated

• People are not isolated

• Access is good/easy to travel/easy to get around

• They can travel to work

• Access to shops

• Access to hospitals/schools

• Industries need transport for raw materials

• Trading route

• Immigration route

 

Political factors 

• Political instability 

• Wars/ persecution 

 

Difficulties faced by planners and city authorities in urban areas with very high population densities

• Poor quality/not enough housing/need to invest more in housing

• Pressure on hospitals/health services/need to invest more in health services

• Pressure on education/need to build more schools/colleges

• Pressure on water supply/ need to provide clean/reliable water supply

• Pressure on sanitation/ need to provide good sanitation/sewage disposal

• Pressure on electricity/ need to provide electricity

• Traffic congestion/need to improve road network

• Need for more public transport

• Air pollution;

• Water pollution;

• Noise pollution

• Unemployment/lack of work/need to create more work opportunities

• Crime (e.g. violence/robbery/theft)/ need to maintain security/police force