What is the difference between population density and population distribution

Describe the major physical, economic and human influences on density and distribution of population

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Density and Distribution

Describe the major physical, economic and human influences on density and distribution of population

1. Watch and name the key issues facing global population

definItions

Population density

Population density is a measurement of population per unit area; it is a quantity of type number density.

Total Population / Area (km2)

Population distribution

The arrangement, or spread, of people living in a given area.

calculate

World

510, 072, 000 km2

7, 256, 490, 011 pop.

Switzerland

41, 277 km2

8, 121, 830 pop.

Russia

17, 098, 242 km2

142, 423, 773 pop.

1. Calculate the population density for the places above. Show your calculations.

global population distribution and density

List reasons for population distribution (areas of high and low density) under three headings:

PHYSICAL                  ECONOMIC                   HUMAN

skills - Describing distribution and density

high density (x per km2)          low density (x per km2)            

even distribution        north/south/east/west          clustered          

densely populated         sparsely populated

Population distribution is about how people are spread across the earth. When we study population distribution we examine why some places have populations which are more tightly packed than others.

Population density: this is how tightly packed people are in a certain area. It is measured as the number of people per square kilometer. In order to calculate it we divide the total number of people who live in a place by the land area in square kilometers. The most densely populated country in the world in Macau with 20848 people per square kilometer. Greenland has a population density of 0.03 people per square kilometer.

VERY dense population in Hong Kong! Click on the image below to read more.

Who would live in a place like...?

Use your copy of the table below to record you thoughts on why people would or would not live in each of the places photographed below. Which will be high density and why? Which places will have a low population density and why?

What factors affect population distribution?

Physical factors

1. Relief and landforms

2. Weather and climate
Temperate areas which experience few extremes of weather and climate tend to be more attracted than areas which experience extremes.

3. Soil type and quality 
Areas which have rich, fertile soils allowing successful agriculture tend to have higher population densities than areas which have poor quality soils have sparse populations.

4. Water supply
Water supply is essential for human survival and development and because of this areas which have sufficient water (but not too much) tend to have denser populations.

5. Raw materials/natural resources
Areas with a wealth of natural resources such as oil, coal or minerals may have higher population densities than areas which do not.

7. Natural threats
These may affect population density as people may try to avoid areas where pests, threatening animals and diseases are particular risks.

Human factors​1) Agriculture 
Areas with well developed farming of crops or animals are often densely populated.

2) Jobs
Areas with lots of jobs and opportunities for people to make money are usually densely populated.

3) Accessibility
Areas with well developed transport links through road, rail, shipping, canals and air are likely to be more densely populated than areas which are poorly connected

4) Political decisions
Government policy can have a significant impact upon population densities.

5) Conflict
Wars and conflicts can lead to significant movements of population and a simultaneous decrease in density in some areas while others may increase.

Sparse population on a remote Scottish Island - click on the image to read more about Fair Isle's campaign to attract more residents

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