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?

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

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

Agricultural → Farmers/ Arable Land (sq. mi)

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

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

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

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

Arithmetic density- total # ppl/ total land area

what it doesn’t say: pop concentrations

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)

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