Lesson 3 - Factors affecting population distribution

Factors Affecting Population Distribution

Learning Objectives

• Recall the definition of population distribution

• Recognize factors affecting population distribution

• Make links between population density and climate

Population Quiz

• World's population estimates:

  • 8.9 million

  • 7.9 million

  • 8 billion (correct answer)

• Most populous countries:

  • China (largest)

  • USA

  • India

• Population of Qatar:

  • 2.8 million

  • 2.7 million

  • 2.6 million

• Population characteristics:

  • The east of Russia is sparsely populated.

  • Population is not spread out evenly across the world (False).

• Population distribution: How population is spread out across a country or area.

World’s Population Distribution

• Key geographical markers:

  • Arctic Circle

  • Tropic of Cancer

  • Equator

  • Tropic of Capricorn

  • Antarctic Circle

• Population density classifications:

  • Very densely populated areas

  • Fairly densely populated areas

  • Sparsely populated rural areas

  • Isolated towns

  • Large cities and small towns

Factors Affecting Population Distribution

• Discussion points on factors:

  • Access to energy resources

  • Topography of the landscape

  • Climate

  • Accessibility (e.g., proximity to infrastructure)

  • Cities: More people tend to concentrate in urban areas

  • Transportation: Easier access promotes population density

Linking Population Density and Climate

• Task:

  • Use resource 1 and resource 2 to explore the link between population density and climate.

Writing Summary on Population Distribution Factors

• Key terms to include:

  • Rainfall

  • Population density

  • Distribution

  • Hot

  • Crops

  • Uneven

  • Cities

  • Factors

  • Climate

Detailed Study on Population Distribution

• Fill in the blanks:

  • The world's population distribution is uneven.

  • Population is very dense near areas with large cities and towns, e.g., north India and eastern China (very densely populated).

  • Areas with a sparse population include northern Africa, northern Russia, and Canada.

  • Contributing factors include climate (e.g., warm, wet climate for crops), transportation access, energy resources (e.g., oil), accessibility (roads, shopping), and topography (flatter land is easier for building).

  • Relationship: Densely populated areas often have tropical (hot and wet, dry seasons) or maritime (warm summers, cool wet winters) climates.

Sentence Starters for Written Response

• The world's population distribution is ...

• Population is very dense near ...

• For example...

• There are many factors ...

• Some examples include...

• It is clear to see the relationship between ...

• Areas that are more densely populated have ...

Revision and Correction

• Correct your work using a green pen to ensure detailed responses:

  • Highlight the uneven nature of population distribution.

  • Describe dense populations (e.g., in north India and eastern China).

  • Discuss sparse populations (e.g., northern Africa, northern Russia, Canada).

  • Emphasize factors impacting distribution: climate, transportation, energy resources, accessibility, topography.

  • Final point: Correlate population density patterns with climate types.