An uneven distribution
The world's population is concentrated in only certain areas. About two-thirds of people live in South Asia and East Asia, while regions such as the Sahara Desert and Antarctica are almost empty. This distribution is shaped by physical factors and human factors.
Physical factors
- Relief: lowlands and flat plains attract people because they are easy to develop; steep mountains are sparsely populated.
- Climate: temperate and humid equatorial climates encourage farming; hot dry desert climates and freezing polar climates discourage settlement.
- Soil: fertile alluvial and volcanic soils support dense farming, for example the Ganges valley.
- Water supply: people cluster near rivers and lakes because water is needed for drinking, agriculture and transport.
Human factors
Economic activities such as mining, industry and trade attract people by offering jobs. Urban areas with good transport and employment become densely populated.
Population density is the number of people per square kilometre (km²). Areas such as the Klang Valley and the island of Java have a high density because fertile lowland, a suitable climate and economic opportunity come together there. In contrast, deserts, polar lands and thick forests have a low density because of their harsh environment. It is this combination of physical and human factors that decides whether an area is densely or sparsely populated.
Key idea
Dense areas = fertile lowland, moderate climate, adequate water and a developed economy. Sparse areas = mountains, deserts, polar regions and infertile soil.