Population : Part – 1
1. What is Population Geography?
Answer: Population Geography studies human population, its distribution, and patterns on Earth’s surface. It examines qualitative and quantitative aspects, like how populations affect economies and regional development, focusing on humans as a resource.
2. Which continent has the least population according to the 2019 data?
Answer: Antarctica has the least population, with only 0.55% of the world’s population. It has no permanent human settlements due to its harsh climate and snow-covered land, making habitation nearly impossible.
3. Why is Asia the most populated continent?
Answer: Asia, with 59.65% of the world’s population, supports dense populations due to fertile plains, favorable climates, and river valleys like the Ganges. Its 29.20% landmass is ideal for agriculture and urban growth.
4. What is population density, and how is it calculated?
Answer: Population density is the number of people per unit area, calculated as total population divided by total area in square kilometers. It helps understand how crowded or sparse a region is.
5. Why are coastal areas densely populated?
Answer: Coastal areas have high population density due to fertile soils, access to water, and trade opportunities via ports. Regions like India’s coastal plains support agriculture and economic activities, attracting more people.
6. What physical factor leads to low population in mountainous areas?
Answer: Mountainous areas like the Himalayas have low population due to steep terrain, making farming and infrastructure development difficult. Harsh climates and limited resources also discourage settlement.
7. How does climate affect population distribution?
Answer: Equable climates, like Mediterranean regions, attract more people due to comfort. Extreme climates, such as hot deserts or cold polar regions, have low populations as they are unsuitable for habitation.
8. Why are river valleys densely populated?
Answer: River valleys, like the Nile and Ganges, are densely populated due to fertile soils and water availability. These areas support intensive agriculture and provide resources, making them ideal for human settlement.
9. How does the availability of resources influence population?
Answer: Areas rich in resources, like minerals or fertile soils, attract populations due to economic opportunities. For example, the Katanga copper belt in Zambia has dense populations due to mining activities.
10. What role does transportation play in population distribution?
Answer: Good transportation, like highways or ports, increases population density by improving access and trade. For example, the Suez Canal boosted population growth in coastal regions due to enhanced trade routes.
11. How does urbanization affect population density?
Answer: Urbanization leads to dense populations in cities due to job opportunities, education, and medical facilities. Cities like Greater Mumbai grow as people migrate for better living standards and services.
12. What is the impact of government policies on population distribution?
Answer: Government policies, like incentives for settling in Siberia or depopulating Tokyo, shape population distribution. They encourage or discourage settlement in specific areas to balance population density.
13. What are the three components of population change?
Answer: The three components of population change are births, deaths, and migration. These factors determine whether a region’s population grows, declines, or remains stable over time.
14. What is Crude Birth Rate (CBR), and how is it calculated?
Answer: Crude Birth Rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a year. It’s calculated by dividing total live births by the total population and multiplying by 1,000.
15. How does a high birth rate and low death rate affect population?
Answer: A high birth rate and low death rate lead to rapid population growth, as seen in Stage 3 of demographic transition. This occurs in developing countries like China, where births exceed deaths.
16. What characterizes Stage 1 of the Demographic Transition Theory?
Answer: Stage 1, the high stationary stage, has high birth and death rates, resulting in stable population growth. It occurs in underdeveloped, agriculture-based economies with limited medical facilities.
17. Why is Stage 2 called the population explosion phase?
Answer: Stage 2, the early expanding stage, is called the population explosion phase because death rates drop due to better healthcare, while birth rates remain high, causing rapid population growth.
18. What happens in Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Theory?
Answer: In Stage 4, the low stationary stage, both birth and death rates are low, leading to minimal population growth. Developed countries like the USA have high living standards and advanced healthcare.
19. Why do some countries in Stage 5 face population decline?
Answer: In Stage 5, the declining stage, birth rates are very low, and death rates may exceed them, causing population decline. Countries like Sweden have aging populations and fewer children.
20. What is population composition, and why is it important?
Answer: Population composition includes characteristics like age, sex, and residence, which help understand a population’s structure. It reveals dependency ratios and economic impacts, aiding in planning and development.
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