[Unit 1 - Population] 1. Population and economic development patterns

Explain one physical factor that influences global population distribution. [2]

Relief: Low-lying and relatively flat areas are easier to build on and farm [1]. Therefore, they often support transport, agriculture and settlements more easily, leading to higher population densities [1].

Explain one human factor that influences population distribution. [2]

Areas with greater employment opportunities attract migrants [1] because people move towards places where they can earn higher incomes and access economic opportunities [1].

Explain one reason why river valleys often have high population densities. [2]

Rivers provide a reliable water supply [1], therefore supporting domestic use, agriculture and industry and making surrounding areas attractive for settlement [1].

Explain one reason why mountainous regions often have low population densities. [2]

Steep relief makes construction and transport more difficult [1], therefore increasing costs and reducing accessibility and employment opportunities [1].

Explain two physical factors responsible for uneven global population distribution. [4]

Factor 1 - Climate: Extremely hot, cold or dry climates make agriculture and everyday living more difficult [1]. Therefore, these areas generally support fewer people than regions with moderate temperatures and reliable rainfall [1]. Factor 2 - Relief: Flat lowlands are easier to farm, build on and connect with transport [1]. As a result, they tend to support higher densities than steep mountainous areas [1].

Explain two human factors responsible for uneven population distribution. [4]

Factor 1: Areas with industries and services provide more employment [1], attracting migrants and concentrating population [1]. Factor 2: Good transport infrastructure [1] makes places more accessible to workers, businesses and services, encouraging settlement and economic activity [1].

Explain two reasons why population distribution is uneven within China. [4]

Reason 1 - Physical: Eastern China contains extensive lowlands, major rivers and more favourable rainfall [1], allowing productive farming, easier settlement and better water supply, so population density is high [1]. Reason 2 - Human: Coastal eastern China contains major cities, industry and Special Economic Zones [1]. These provide jobs and infrastructure and therefore attract internal migrants [1].

Explain two reasons why population distribution is uneven within South Africa. [4]

Reason 1: Gauteng developed around gold mining and industry [1], creating employment and infrastructure that attracted migrants and produced a densely populated economic core [1]. Reason 2: Much of western South Africa is relatively dry [1], reducing water availability and agricultural potential, so population densities are generally lower [1].

Explain one physical and one human reason for uneven population distribution within one named country. [4]

Example - China. Physical: Western China contains mountains, deserts and high-altitude environments [1], making agriculture, transport and settlement more difficult [1]. Human: Eastern coastal China contains major cities and industrial employment [1], attracting migrants and concentrating population there [1].

Explain one characteristic commonly associated with an HIC. [2]

HICs generally have high average incomes [1], meaning governments and households usually have greater financial capacity to invest in healthcare, education and infrastructure [1].

Explain one limitation of classifying countries simply as HIC, MIC or LIC. [2]

Income categories use national averages [1], therefore they can hide major inequalities between regions or groups within the same country [1].

Explain two ways economic development can influence population distribution. [4]

Way 1: Economic development creates employment centres [1], attracting workers and increasing population concentration in cities and industrial regions [1]. Way 2: Development improves transport and infrastructure [1], making previously less accessible areas easier to live in and connect to markets [1].

Explain two reasons why economic cores tend to attract population. [4]

Reason 1: Cores contain more jobs and higher wages [1], encouraging internal migration from peripheral areas [1]. Reason 2: Cores usually have better education, healthcare and transport [1], increasing their attractiveness for households and businesses [1].

Explain one reason for voluntary internal migration. [2]

People may move to obtain better employment [1], because urban or economically developed regions often offer higher wages and a wider range of jobs [1].

Explain one way internal migration can strengthen a core-periphery pattern. [2]

Young workers may migrate from peripheral areas towards the economic core [1], concentrating labour, investment and consumption in the core while the periphery loses population and skills [1].

Explain one consequence of rural-urban migration for a source area. [2]

Rural areas may lose young working-age adults [1], leaving an older population and reducing the local labour supply [1].

Explain one consequence of voluntary internal migration for a destination area. [2]

Rapid migration increases demand for housing [1], which may exceed formal housing supply and contribute to overcrowding or informal settlements [1].

Explain one social consequence of voluntary internal migration in a source and destination area. [4]

Source: Family separation may increase [1] because working-age adults move away, leaving children or elderly relatives behind [1]. Destination: Demand for schools and healthcare rises [1], potentially overcrowding services if infrastructure does not expand as quickly as population [1].

Explain two economic consequences of voluntary internal migration. [4]

Consequence 1: Destination areas gain workers [1], increasing labour supply and potentially supporting greater production and economic growth [1]. Consequence 2: Source areas may lose economically active people [1], reducing local tax revenue, skills and economic activity [1].

Explain two ways internal migration can increase regional inequalities. [4]

Way 1: Workers moving to the core increase its labour force and consumer market [1], attracting further investment and widening the economic gap with peripheral regions [1]. Way 2: Peripheral regions may lose skilled young adults [1], reducing their capacity for economic development and reinforcing depopulation [1].