Notes on 2.1 Population Distribution & Density

2.1 Population Distribution & Density

• People do not settle in

  • Too hot, cold, wet, hilly, or dry

• People are likely to settle in…

  • Low elevation

  • Fertile soil 

  • Temperate climates

  • Near a body of water

• Ecumene: The habitable areas of the world. 

• Economic, social/cultural/political influence distribution of pop.

• Economic

  -job opportunities

  -access to natural resources

• Social/cultural

  -Housing availability 

  -Safety 

  -Access to transportation 

  -A feeling of belonging 

  -Community

• Political

  -military bases

  -protection of rights

How do geographers calculate population density?

• arthiemtic-total pop/land area

  -does not have uneven distrubution of pop within a country;no info about clustering or dispersal

• Pysciological-total pop/arable land

  -carrying capacity:max pop. size that can be supported by the availble resources without damaging the enviroment or using natural resources.

• algricultural-farmers/arable land