1.4: Population Density and Distribution (Paper 1 and 2)

Question 1

Explain the factors influencing density and distribution of a population: (10)

• Social: (2)
• Political: (1)
• Economic: (2)
• Physical: (5)

Answer 1

• Social: The better the housing, education and services the more people are likely to be attracted to an area, increasing the population density. (1) The birth and death rates also affect the population density. (1)
• Political: Government investment in an area can improve the infrastructure which increases industry/business and so attracts more people (1)
• Economic: More people live where there are more jobs. (1) The number of jobs is often affected by the infrastructure (transport/communication) and capital (the money available) (1)
• Physical: Climate, (1) Water supply, (1) Natural resources (coal and oil), (1) Relief (Mountainous Areas), (1) Soil Quality, (1)

Question 2

Define the term population density: (1)

Answer 2

The average number of people per square kilometre in a country or region. (1)

Question 3

Define the term population distribution: (1)

Answer 3

The way that the population is spread out over a given area, from a small region to the earth as a whole. (1)

Question 4

Define the following terms:

• Densely populated: (1)
• Sparsely populated: (1)

Answer 4

• Densely populated: Areas with a high population density. (1)
• Sparsely populated: Areas with a low population density. (1)