2.1) Population Distribution & Density

Identify the factors that influence the distribution of population at diff scales & Define and explain the diff bt/wn t methods geographers use to calculate population density

What factors influence the distribution of population?

• Natural
• Environmental
• Physical

People do not settle in the “5 toos”

(too hot, cold, wet, hilly, dry, etc)

People are likely to settle in

• Low elevation

• fertile soil

• temperate climates

• Near a body of water

  Ecumene: the habitable areas of the world

Other factors that influence distribution of population are

• economic
  • Job opportunities
  • Access to natural resources
• Cultural/ Social
  • Housing availability
  • safety
  • Access to transportation
  • A feeling o belonging
  • Community
• Political
  • Housing availability
  • safety
  • Access to transportation
  • **
  • **

How do geographers calculate population density?

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Arithmetic → Total Pop/ Land area (sq. mi)

Physiological → Total pop/ Arable land (sq. mi)

Agricultural → Farmers/ Arable Land (sq. mi)

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This does NOT account for the uneven distribution of population within each country. No information about clustering or dispersal.

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Carrying Capacity: The maximum population size that can be supported by available resources without damaging the environment or using natural resources unsustainably.

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A better indicator of a country’s level of economic development rather than population distribution.

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High LDC’s

• Low level of tech
• Farming by hand (more farmers
• Low output

Low MDC

• High levels of mechanization
• Less farmers but more output

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Arithmetic density- total # ppl/ total land area

what it doesn’t say: pop concentrations

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Physiological density- total # ppl/ total arable farmland

• Carrying capacity- important to determine how much food is available
• Tells us country’s ability to feed/sustain its population
• Higher physiological density- the more diff it will be to sustain itself bc there is less able land
• Solutions? - Food imports, develop ag tech (MDC)

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Agricultural density- total # o farmers/ unit o arable land

• Tells us about the types of jobs in the country
• Levels of development
• The higher the ag density, the less developed country
• Need more people to work the land means there’s less tech available in the country

Identify the factors that influence the distribution of population at diff scales & Define and explain the diff bt/wn t methods geographers use to calculate population density

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