Unit 6

Population Distribution & Growth

Population Density

• Refers to the number of people in a certain area of land

• A ratio can be calculated by:

Population ÷ land area = number of people per unit of land

Using NL for example:• 551,792 (Population) ÷ 405,720 km2 (Land Area) = 1.36

• There is 1.36 people/km2

Population Density

• What is the population density of:

Bangladesh– Population 127,117,967– Land Area 133,910 km2

POPULATION DENSITY = 949 people/ km2

Brazil– Population 171,853,126 – Land Area 8,456,510 km2

POPULATION DENSITY = 20 people/ km2

How populated?

• Densely populated = More than 100 people/ km2

• Sparsely populated = Less than 100 people/ km2

Bangladesh?• 949 people/ km2

• Densely populated

Brazil?• 20 people/ km2

• Sparsely populated

NL?• 1.36 people/ km2

• Sparsely populated

Population Density NOT a good indicator of Population Distribution Why not?• Assumes people are equally/evenly spread out.• For example:• A country can have a low population density, but• Cities within that country can have a very high

population density.• Country of Spain = 78.43 people/ km2

• City of Barcelona, Spain = 3404 people/ km2

Population Distribution

• Describes how people are spread out.

• Where people live!

• When combined with population density gives a more accurate picture of the population.

• Where are the heavier concentrations of people versus the sparsely populated areas.

Identify global patterns of population distribution

• Use MAP ( figure 18.5) on page 304• Make reference to density AND locations

North America

– Sparsely populated in north– Densely populated along North eastern U.S. and south

western U.S.– WHY?

South America

– Sparsely populated in Center– Densely populated along Western Coast– But most dense south eastern Brazil. – WHY?

Europe

– Sparsely populated in Extreme North– Densely populated throughout. – WHY?

Asia

– Sparsely populated in North & center– Densely populated in South East– WHY?

Africa

– Sparsely populated in Sahara– Densely in North & Sub Sahara– WHY?

Factors affecting Population Density and Distribution

• Climate: – Warmer comfortable climates attract people. – Most people live in a moderate climate region.

• Economics: – Population distribution has changed over time. – No longer are dense populations around primary

resources. – Urbanization and the move to the industrial and now the

information ages have changed population distribution. • Transportation:

– Coastal regions attracted business and people because of ocean transportation.

– It was true for initial settlement and is still true today. – Most major cities are located on the coast.