2.
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Population
Distribution & Density
Objective: 2.1.1 Identify the factors that influence the distribution of population at different scales.
2.1.2 Define and explain the differences between the methods geographers use to calculate population density.
Objective and Essential Learning
2.1.1 Identify the factors that influence the distribution of
population at different scales.
● A1. Physical features (e.g. climate, landforms, water bodies) and human factors (e.g.
culture, economics, history, politics) influence the distribution of population.
● A2. Factors that illustrate patterns of population distribution vary according to the scale of
analysis.
2.1.2 Define and explain the differences between the methods
geographers use to calculate population density.
● B. The three methods for calculating population density are arithmetic, physiological, and
agricultural.
● C. The method used to calculate population density reveals different information about
the pressure the population exerts on the land. 6
Objective: 2.1.1 Identify the factors that influence the distribution of population at different scales.
Where is population distributed?
7.8 BILLION
EAST ASIA
SOUTH ASIA
SOUTHEAST ASIA
WESTERN EUROPE
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Objective: 2.1.1 Identify the factors that influence the distribution of population at different scales.
What factors influence the distribution of population?
NATURAL / ENVIRONMENTAL / PHYSICAL
▪ People do not settle in the “5 toos”
▫ Too hot, cold, wet, hilly, or dry
▪ People are likely to settle in…
▫ Low elevation
▫ Fertile soil
▫ Temperate climates
▫ Near a body of water
▪ Ecumene: The habitable areas of the
world.
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Objective: 2.1.1 Identify the factors that influence the distribution of population at different scales.
What factors influence the distribution of population?
NATURAL / ENVIRONMENTAL / PHYSICAL 9
Objective: 2.1.1 Identify the factors that influence the distribution of population at different scales.
What OTHER factors influence the distribution of population?
ECONOMIC
SOCIAL / CULTURAL
POLITICAL
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How do geographers calculate population density?
Total population
Land area (sq. mi)
Total population
Arable Land (sq. mi)
Farmers
Arable Land (sq. mi) 11
How do geographers calculate population density?
Does not account
for the uneven
distribution of
population within
each country. No
information about
clustering or
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dispersal.
How do geographers calculate population density?
How does our understanding of population distribution and density change when we change the scale of analysis?
94% of China’s population lives in the Eastern region.
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How do geographers calculate population density?
Carrying Capacity: The
maximum population
size that can be
supported by the
available resources
without damaging the
environment or using
natural resources
unsustainably. 14
How do geographers calculate population density?
How does our understanding of population distribution and density change when use physiological density?
ARITHMETIC (2020) - 257
PHYSIOLOGICAL (2020) - 9,182
● 95% of the population of Egypt live on
just 3% of land - along the Nile River.
● What is the physical environment of
Egypt?
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How do geographers calculate population density?
Better indicator of a country's level
of economic development rather
than population distribution.
High: LDCs
- Low level of technology
- Farming by hand = more
farmers
- Low output
Low: MDCs
- High levels of mechanization
- Less farmers but more
output.
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How do geographers calculate population density?
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Objective and Essential Learning
2.1.1 Identify the factors that influence the distribution of
population at different scales.
2.1.2 Define and explain the differences between the methods
geographers use to calculate population density.
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What factors influence the distribution of population?
ECONOMIC
▪ Job Opportunities
▪ Access to Natural Resources
Case Study: Norilsk, Siberia
“One example of how economic conditions prevail over environmental
limitations is Norilsk, Siberia. Nearly 200,000 people in this city, which
is located north of the Arctic Circle, brave extremely harsh weather
conditions ever winter. Why...The region has the world’s largest known
deposits of nickel, an industrially important metal.”
Source: Human Geography - A Spatial Perspective, Bednarz, Bockenhauer & Hiebert 19
What factors influence the distribution of population?
SOCIAL / CULTURAL POLITICAL
▪ Housing availability ▪ Housing availability
▪ Safety ▪ Safety
▪ Access to transportation ▪ Access to transportation
▪ A feeling of belonging ▪ A feeling of belonging
▪ Community ▪ Community
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