Geography

Population distribution and density

People are unevenly distributed around the world. Population density is based on environmental factors which make an area more or less attractive. Watch this video to find out more.

Video

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Key points

  • This is the way people are spread across an area. There are different scales: local, regional, national, and global.
  • It can be measured by calculating population density, which is total population over total land area
  • Population density and economic development are not closely linked.
  • People are unevenly distributed around the world based on environmental and human factors.
  • Settlers are attracted to an area by mild climate, flat fertile land, natural resources, and jobs with good wages.
  • Settlers are repelled from an area by extreme climates, mountainous areas, dense vegetation and political factors like civil war.

All Geography videos

Population index

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