IGCSE GEOGRAPHY

Population Dynamics: Population Density & Distribution

POPULATION & SETTLEMENT Candidates should be able to:
Population Dynamics Describe the factors influencing the density and distribution of population and
population migration.

Population distribution means the pattern of where people live. World population distribution is uneven.
Places which are __________ populated
contain few people. Places which are
____________ populated contain many
people.
Sparsely populated places tend to be
difficult places to live. These are usually
places with ______environments e.g.
Antarctica. Places which are densely
populated are ________ environments
e.g. Europe.
Population distribution is usually shown
by a _______ map.



Population density is a measurement of the ________________________. It is an ____________ number.

Population density is calculated _________
___________________________________

Population density is usually shown as the
__________________________________.
Kenya = 47 people/km
2

Singapore = 6389 people/km
2


Shown by a _____________________ map
darker = more dense population
lighter = less dense population




Places with a high concentration of people = densely populated.
Places with a low concentration of people = sparsely
populated.













ECONOMIC
Ports and good infrastructure (railways, roads,
airports) e.g. Sydney

CLIMATE
evenly distributed rainfall, no extreme temperatures
e.g. North West Europe

NATURAL ROUTES
confluence of rivers, gaps through mountains e.g.
Rhine Valley
VEGETATION
forest (e.g. Amazon)
POLITICAL
lack of government investment, depopulation of
rural and old industrial areas, loss of land through
deforestation and soil erosion
SOCIAL
better housing opportunities e.g. Arizona,
education, health facilities e.g. Milan, good
entertainment, retirement areas e.g. Spanish Coasts
FACTORS
CLIMATE
Extremely high or low temperatures, high humidity,
unreliable rainfall (e.g. Sahara desert)
RELIEF
high, rugged mountains (e.g. Andes)
NATURAL RESOURCES
lacking in minerals, fossil fuels e.g. Ethiopia
SOIL
Thin soils in mountainous areas (e.g. Northern
Scandinavia)
soils lacking in humus (e.g. Sahel) or affected by
leaching (e.g. Rainforests)
WATER SUPPLY
unreliable sources e.g. Afghanistan
ECONOMIC
limited facilities and poor transport links e.g. Sudan
NATURAL ROUTES
mountain barriers e.g. Himalayas
POLITICAL
Government investment, new towns, reclamation of
land

RELIEF
Flat plain and low lying areas (e.g Bangladesh),
broad river valleys (e.g. Ganges)

SOCIAL
Poor housing opportunities, little entertainment,
poor facilities for retirement
NATURAL RESOURCES
minerals, fossil fuels or other energy sources e.g.
Rhone Valley

SOIL
Deep fertile soils, left by rivers e.g. Nile Valley
Volcanic soils e.g. Etna
VEGETATION
grasslands which are easy to clear and farm (e.g.
Paris Basin)

WATER SUPPLY
Reliable sources e.g. North West Europe
ECONOMIC
Well-developed industrial areas e.g. Rhur
money available for new high tech industries e.g.
California

CLIMATE
Extremely high or low temperatures, high humidity,
unreliable rainfall (e.g. Sahara desert)
CLIMATE
seasonal rainfall for agriculture e.g. Bangladesh

ECONOMIC
Development of tourism e.g. Banff (Canada)

SOCIAL
limited education e.g. Rwanda, fewer health
facilities, poor facilities for retirement
ECONOMIC
lack of development of both industry and tourism,
lack of money for new investments
CLIMATE
Areas with high sunshine or snowfall for tourism e.g.
Nice and the Alps in France
FACTORS AFFECTING POPULATION DISTRIBUTION & DENSITY
DENSELY POPULATED AREAS SPARSELEY POPULATED AREAS






















































CASE STUDY: POPULATION DISTRIBUTION & DENSITY IN BRAZIL