Population density allows for broad comparison of settlement intensity across geographic areas. In the U.S., population density is typically expressed as the number of people per square mile of land area.

Mountainous areas with steep slopes and poor quality soil tend to have low population densities. Temperate areas which experience few extremes of weather and climate tend to be more attracted than areas which experience extremes.

Population density studies the average number of people in an area by dividing the number of people present by total area. Overall population growth and change is another area of importance for population geographers. This is because the world’s population has grown dramatically over the last two centuries.

Low Density Relief. (shape and height of land) Low land which is flat e.g. Ganges Valley in India. High land that is mountainous e.g. Himalayas.

Greenland is the least densely populated territory in the world with 0.14 people per sq. km. With 2.1 people per square km, Mongolia is the least densely populated country followed by Namibia and Australia.

Effects of population decline

• fewer schools, due to there being fewer children;
• a drop in house prices because more homes are unoccupied;
• fewer new homes being built;
• less demand for rented accommodation;
• fewer care facilities;
• less turnover for shopkeepers and businesses;
• fewer sports facilities;

The land will be less fertile because of less human interactions. Even if the land is fertile, there will less production because of lack of human inhabitants. There will be less transportation and communication facility in these regions. These developments will not take place because of less population density.

– Ease of planning: With few people to take care of, it will be easier for government to plan for the populace. – Low environmental pollution: Since people in low population density areas are not much, then, the total quantity of waste generated is small and can be easily managed.

The possible impacts of a declining population that leads to permanent recession are: Decline in Basic Services and infrastructure. If the GDP of a community declines, there is less demand for basic services such as hotels, restaurants and shops. The employment in these sectors then suffers.

Population growth is based on four fundamental factors: birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration.

Water is an important factor in determining population density. Areas near the rivers which are a source of fresh water are densely populated. Water serves as a medium of trading, fishing, irrigation etc. Hence, population prefers to reside near the rivers.

Climatic conditions are perhaps the most important of all the geographic influences on population distribution. Apart from physical factors several social, demographic, economic, political and historical factors affect population distribution.

Answer

• Climate.
• Land-forms like Mountains and river valleys.
• Soil.
• Energy.
• Political boundaries.
• Natural accessibilities like harbors, rivers, canals, etc…
• Cultural factors.
• Migration control protocols.

8 Factors Influencing the Distribution and Density of Population in India

• Terrain: Terrain of land is a potent factor which influences the concentration and growth of population.
• Climate:
• Soil:
• Water Bodies:
• Mineral Resources:
• Industries:
• Transport:
• Urbanization: