Population Density and Distribution

Population Density and Distribution

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• Because of factors, such as climate and landscapes, the population distribution of Earth is very uneven
• An area’s physical environment, especially climate, limits the number of people who can live there
• There are 4 centers of heavy population in the world
• These areas contain more than 70% of Earth’s Population

Population Distribution

• Eastern Asia – has the greatest concentration of people on Earth – it is centered in China – 21% of Earth’s population.

• Southern Asia – is the second largest concentration of people – it is centered in India – 16% of the Earth’s population.

Directions: Click on the best answer choice to answer the question below.

• Western Europe - is the third largest concentration

• people are concentrated near natural resources needed for industry.

• East Central North America - fourth largest center concentrated in the NE US and SE Canada.
• In the US, there is a chain of cities starting from the city of Boston to the south of Washington D.C. This is called a Megapolis.

• Africa - 12% of the Earth's population.
• Largest cluster of people found in the Nile River Valley.
• Cairo is the largest city in Africa.

World Population Numbers

• South America - is lightly populated compared with other continents
• Patterns of people live along the edges of the continent - SE Buenos Aires in Argentina, Montevideo in Uruguay, and Rio de Janeiro and Recife in Brazil.

*12 of the top 20 cities of the world are found in Latin America.

• Australia has the fewest number of people.
• They are concentrated along the eastern and southern coasts.
• (17.5 million people total on the entire continent - as much as the NYC metro area)

• Population density describes the number of people in an area in relation to the size of that area.
• It makes it possible to compare areas of different size and population all over the world.

Population Density

Population Density Formula

Number of people ÷ the size of the area they occupy = population density

Write that down and circle it!

Population Density Map

• The US Constitution mandates (demands) that there is a count of everyone living in the US every 10 years.
• Why might it be helpful to have a reliable estimation of the US population?

The US Census

• Having an up-to-date count of people helps decide the following:
• Where to build new roads
• Where to build new schools
• What community services to provide
• The number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives
• And more!

The US Census