Theory question 101
PopulationCountry X has five states, A, B, C, D and E with population statistics and land area as stated in the table below.
Table I Population/Land area statistics for the five states in Country X:
State A: total population 5.4 million, total land area 120,000 km²
State B: 4.2 million, 85,000 km²
State C: 6.5 million, 135,000 km²
State D: 3.2 million, 98,000 km²
State E: 7.4 million, 140,000 km²
Total: ?, ?
Use the table above to: (a) Calculate the (i) total population (ii) total land area (iii) population density. (b) Explain four factors responsible for the distribution of world population. (c) Highlight three factors that cause increase in world population.
Show the model answer
(a)(i) 5.4 + 4.2 + 6.5 + 3.2 + 7.4 = 26.7 million (26,700,000).
(ii) 120,000 + 85,000 + 135,000 + 98,000 + 140,000 = 578,000 km².
(iii) 26,700,000 ÷ 578,000 = about 46 persons per km².
(b) Relief: lowlands and plains are densely settled, rugged mountains sparsely; climate: moderate climates attract people while very hot, cold or dry areas repel them; soils: fertile soils (river valleys, volcanic soils) support dense farming populations; water supply; minerals and industry create jobs and attract people; accessibility and transport; pests and diseases (tsetse fly) repel people; political stability and history.
(c) High birth rate; falling death rate through better medical care and sanitation; improved food supply; early marriage and religious/cultural attitudes against birth control; immigration.
Show the working for each calculation and give the unit.