IB Geography HL - China population distribuiton

Where is most of China’s population concentrated

On the Eastern coast in provinces such as Jiangsu, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Macau

What is the pattern of the distribution of wealth as you travel westwards ?

A clear distance-decay. The lowest income regions are all the most peripheral.

Name a percentage which describes the distribution of Chinese citizens

90% of the population live on 30% of the land.

Which three main physical factors affect the population distribution of China

Temperature, Relief and Precipitation

What initially allowed for China’s growth in economic development ?

They opened up to foreign trade and investment and implemented free-market reforms in 1979.

How has relief had a role in China’s population distribution

High relief and Himalayan mountain range in west make it hard to settle (hard to navigate and build infrastructure)

How has precipitation had a role in China’s population distribution

Xinjang and Inner Mongolian regions of China have pretty low and flat relief: the levels of precipitation are extremely low, (Gobi Desert) so cultivating crops and finding water is hard

How do temperatures in the Tibet plateau act as a deterrent for citizens

range from -8 to 6 degrees annually

How do temperatures in the Gobi desert act as a deterrent for citizens

range from -40 in winter to 40 in summer

Why is the coast so densely populated

Much easier and faster trade routes which allow for economic opportunity

Aside from areas around the coast, why are the areas slightly in-land so populated

Likely to be close to the rivers Han, Yangtze and Wuhan

Why are the rivers attractive to settlers

Rich soil for farming, allow for transport, source of water and food

Which city is a good example of China’s population dynamic

Shanghai

Why is Shanghai a good example for China’s population dynamic

• Tiny but most densely populated with 3,925 people living per square kilometre.

• Shanghai accounts for 3.63 percent of China’s overall GDP  whilst its land area is just 0.1 percent of the whole country.

What is the main internal migration trend in China

Rural- urban migration

What type of people are migrants from China’s rural areas to the city ?

majority are young, poorly educated and highly mobile