Question

How do the Earth’s physical factors influence population density? When population growth increases in an area, what is happening to the birth rate and age structure of that population?

Answer 1

Question 1

The world's population is spread very unevenly. Some spaces are empty or very sparsely populated: we speak of human deserts:

• Cold polar environments are the least populated regions: the ground, frozen permanently, prevents any form of agriculture, the very low temperatures make the habitat difficult.

• The hot or cold desert environments are also not busy: the lack of rain and the strong heat during the day limit the activities of men. The only exceptions are oases.

• The role of relief is more difficult to define. High temperate mountains like the Alps are generally sparsely populated but tropical chains like the Andes have a high population density. However, men have generally settled in the plains, in the valleys (along with the rivers) and on the coasts.

There are also other factors unrelated to land factors that influence population density such as job availability, or even historical factors.

Question 2:

Birth rate:

The birth rate (sometimes called the crude birth rate) is the ratio of the annual number of births to the average total population for that year.

When the population grows, the contact between people will be more permanent, and it will increase the marriage rate, and thus the birth rate.

Age structure:

The age structure is a mode of graphical representation of the structure (of age as well as of sex) of a population which constitutes a synthetic image of the past, present and future of the population.

When a population resides for a long time in the same place (in favorable conditions, not raising the death rate and without moving), this will vary the age structure by observing an increase in the elderly population.

Answer 2

The Earth’s physical factors influence population density by being a key determinant in which people choose to reside. Most people wanted to reside in an area nearer to their place of interest, the climate is favorable, and accessible if not to all their needs. When there is an increase in population, birth rate is high, and the age structure of that population is forming like a pyramid which represents more people comprise the younger generation.