Chapter 2: The world population distribution, density and growth.

SHORT QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)

Q.1. What is population growth? What does population change indicate for an area? 

Ans: Population growth and population change refer to the change in the number of inhabitants of a territory during the specific area of time. It is an important indicator of economic development and historical back ground of the region.

Q.2. What are the component of population change?

Ans: There are three component of population change:

  • Crude Birth Rate - It is referred to as number of live birth in a year per thousand of the population. It increases the population.
  • Crude Death Rate - It is referred to as number of death in a particular year per thousands of the population in a particular region.
  • Migration - It is a displacement of people from a place of origin to the place of destination. In migration increases the population. Out migration decreases the population.

Q.3.  How did science and technology help in population growth? 

Ans: The Stream engine replaced human and animal energy and also provided mechanised energy from other sources and helped in in increasing agricultural and industrial production. Improvement in medical facilities, inoculation against epidemics and sanitation helped in the decline in death rate.

Q.N.4  Describe any three characteristics of the first stage of 'Demographic Transition theory'.

Ans: Characteristics of the first stage of Demographic Transition Theory are as follows:

  • The first stage has high fertility and high mortality because people reproduce more to compensate for the deaths due to epidemics and variable food supply.
  • Most of the people are engaged in agriculture where large families are an asset.
  • The population growth is slow
Q.N.5  Explain with example any three geographical factors which influence the distribution of the population in the world.

Ans: The three geographical factors which influence the distribution of the population in the world are as follows:

  • Availability of Water - it is an essential component for life. The region with fresh water is the most preferred place to live in. That's why places near river valleys are densely populated.
  • Landforms - the region with fertile plain is most populated as compared to mountainous and hilly areas because these hinder the agricultural and industrial development.
  • Climate - it plays a very important role in population concentration. This is because area having a moderate climate with moderate rainfall has more population whereas area with heavy rainfall and harsh climate has low population.

Q.N.6   “The population of the world is unevenly distributed‟. Explain with two examples. 

Ans: The population of the world has an uneven pattern of distribution.

  • About 90% of the world population live in 10% area of the world
  • 10 most populous countries have about 60% of world population. Like G.B. Cressey, we can say „world has many places where people are few and few places where people are very many”.

Q.N.7  What is Crude Death Rate? What are its effects?

Ans: Crude death rate (CDR) is expressed as number of deaths in a year per thousand of population. CDR is calculated as CDR = DP x 1000 CDR = Crude Death Rate D = Number of deaths P = Midyear population.

Effects: It affects mortality rates, and level of economic development. An increasing death rate shows a negative growth of population.

Q.N.8.   How much density of population is found in densely populated areas, moderately populated areas and sparsely populated areas? Give two examples of each type.

Ans: The distribution of population is uneven on the earth. Some areas are crowded and some areas are empty.

  • Densely Populated areas: In these areas density of population is more than 200 persons per sq. km. These are N.E. part of U.S.A, N.W. part, of Europe, South, South-East and East Asia.
  • Moderately populated areas: These areas have density of population of 11 to 50 persons per sq. km. These areas are Western China, Southern, India, Norway, Sweden, etc.
  • Sparsely populated areas: These areas have density of 1-10 person per sq. km. These areas are Tundra, hot and cold deserts, dense forests.

Q.N.9.  What do you mean by density of population? What are its types? 

Ans: Population Density-it refers to a ratio between population and land area in a country.

Types of population density:

  • The arithmetic population density: In this the number of people is divided by the total land area. It is the simplest method to understand the degree of concentration of population. Although density ignores differences in population distribution within a country or region taken, it is still a better method to compare population characteristics of the countries. For example, in 2011, the United States population density was relatively low, about 34.1 persons per sq. km while United Kingdom had a population density of 259.4 persons per sq. km.
  • Physiological or nutritional density: it is a more refined method of calculating man- land ratio. It is a ratio between total population and total cultivated area or crop land. In developing countries where subsistence agriculture remains the most important economic activity, physiological density reflects the intensity of agriculture.

In nearly all the populous developing countries in Asia-including India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh, there is less than one acre (0.4 hectare) of cropland per person. Exactly, in India 1 hectare of cultivated or cropland supports 5 persons. In China, each hectare of cropland supports 12 persons, while in USA it is only 1.5 persons per hectare.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (5 MARKS)

Q. 1. "There are many places where people are very few places where people are very much in the world". Support the statement with five suitable examples.

Ans: 

  • The 10 most populous countries contribute about 60% of the world population. Out of 10, the 6 most populous countries are located in Asia. Six Asian countries contribute 292.93 crore.
  • N. Eastern part of USA, N, W. part of Europe, S.E & East Asia are densely populated with more than 200 Person per sq. km.
  • Area near the North & South poles, the hot and the cold desert and high rain fall zones near the Equator have density of population with less than 1 person per sq. km.

Q. 2. The people of a country are its real wealth why?

Ans: The people of a country are its real wealth because of -

  • The intellectual people of country make use of its resources.
  • They are capable to develop science & technology through their acquired knowledge.
  • They play an important role in economic development of country and in providing strength to its economy.
  • Economy development is extremely important for socio cultural development.
  • People of a country exhibit their efficiency in maintaining political stability in the country.
  • They make efficient policies through their efficient leadership for welfare of one and all.

Q.N.4 Explain with examples any five factor that affect the population distribution of India?

Ans: Following factor that affect the population distribution of India;

Geographical Factors:

  • Availability of water  - Areas having high rain fall or having good facilities of irrigation are densely populated so river valleys are among the most densely populated areas of the world. On other hand areas having low rain fall and there is no facilities of irrigation are least populated.
  • Climate - Areas with a comfortable climate, where there is not much seasonal variation attract more people. Areas with very heavy rainfall or extreme and harsh climates have low population.
  • Soils - areas which have fertile loamy soils have more people living there as these can support intensive agriculture so people prefer to settle in the areas of fertile land. Example - The Ganga Basin.

Economic Factors:

  • Minerals: Areas with mineral deposits attract industries. Mining and industrial activities generate employment. So, skilled and semi–skilled workers move to these areas and make them densely populated. Katanga Zambia copper belt in Africa is one such good example.
  • Urbanisation: Good civic amenities and the attraction of city life draw people to the cities. It leads to rural to urban migration and cities grow in size.
  • Industrialisation: Industrial belts provide job opportunities and attract large numbers of people. The Kobe-Osaka region of Japan is thickly populated because of the presence of a number of industries.

Q.N.5.What is the meaning of density of population? Examine the four geographical factors that influence the distribution of the population in the world with suitable examples.

Ans: Population density refers to a ratio between the total population and the total land area in a country. A density of population is an important measure to analyse population distribution.

Geographical factors that influence the distribution of the population in the world are:

  • Relief Features - relief is the most important physical factor influencing the distribution of a population. High mountains, rugged terrain and some of the plateaus restrict human settlements.
  • Plains - river valley has fertile soil. The plain area provides a better living condition. The nature of surface permits a wider scope for agriculture industries, transport and urbanisation.
  • Climate - it has a direct influence on human beings. Man refers to live in normal conditions of temperature and rainfall. Excessive heat, cold, dryness or wetness restrict the human population. Apart from human health, climate affects agriculture also. Asia, North-West Europe and North America are areas of dense population.
  • Soil -it is an important factor for the survival of humanity. Fertile soil supports agriculture. High degree of population concentration in South-East Asia is primarily due to fertile soil. Most of the world's fertile soil is found in the river valley of Ganga, Indus, Huang Ho, Mississippi, etc.

QUESTION BANK

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (1 MARK)

  1. Give the meaning of  'Crude BIRTH Rate' (CBR) (CBSE 2013)
  2. Which continent has the highest growth rate of India? (CBSE 2012)
  3. Define the term density of population. (CBSE 2012)
  4. Which country in the world has the height growth rate of population? CBSE
  5. Which country has the lowest sex ratio of the world? (CBSE 2011)
  6. Which state of India has the lowest density of population?(CBSE 2011)
  7. Define the term „Population Growth‟.( CBSE 2012)
  8. Differentiate between growth and development. (CBSE 2018)

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 MARKS)

  1. Explain with examples the three economic factors influencing the population distribution in the world. ( CBSE 2011 , 2015)
  2. Describe in brief the social consequences of migration in India. (CBSE 2009)
  3. Which are the two components of population growth in India? Describe the main features of each movements.  (CBSE 2010)
  4. Describe any three characteristics of the last stage of „Demographic Transition Theory‟. (All India 2014)
  5. Explain with example any three geographical factors which influence the distribution of the population in the world. (Delhi 2008)

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (5 MARKS:)

  1. Explain with examples any five factor that affect the population distribution of India? (CBSE 2011)
  2. "There are many places where people are very few and few places where people are much in the world" Support the statement with five suitable examples. (CBSE EXAM MODEL)
  3. The people of a country are its real wealth why?     (CBSE 2014)
  4. "90 percent of the world population lives in about 10 percent of its total land area, where as the remaining 10 percent resides in the 90 percent of its total land area"- Support this statement with suitable example.(Delhi 2017)
  5. "What is demographic cycle"? Describe three stages of Demographic Transition Theory?
  6. When positive population growth does takes place? Explain the geographical factors that influence the distribution of the population in the world. (HOTS: Delhi 2015)
  7. What is the meaning of density of population? Examine the four geographical factors that influence the distribution of the population in the world with suitable examples. (Delhi 2017)
  8. Explain three economic and two social and cultural factors influencing the distribution of the population in the world.  CBSE 2015
  9. Explain the three components of population change in the world. Analyse the impacts of population change. Delhi 2014

Map-Based Questions:

10. On the political outline map of the world identify:

  1. The country with the lowest density of population in Asia. (Delhi 2016)
  2. Name   the   country   with   the   smallest   population   of   Asia.   (Delhi   2016)
  3. The country with the highest growth rate of population in Asia. (All India 2014)
  4. The country with the lowest growth rate of population (1995-2000) in Asia. (Delhi 2014)

11.  On the political map of the world identify:

  1. A country having the highest density of population in Asia. -- Delhi 2013
  2. A country    having    the    largest   population    in       Europe. -- All India 2010
  3. A country having the lowest density of population in Africa. -- All India 2009
  4. A country   having   the   lowest   population   growth   in   Africa. -- Delhi 2009.