Final answer:
Comparing a dot density map with a physical features map is valuable because it illustrates how natural features influence population distribution and helps to understand why certain areas are more densely populated than others.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is helpful to compare a dot density map to a physical features map because it allows us to understand why certain areas have high or low population densities. Physical features such as mountains, rivers, and plains can impact where people choose to settle and live. For instance, areas with fertile soil and mild climates are more likely to have higher population densities as they support agriculture and are more comfortable to live in.
By analyzing the physical characteristics in relation to human settlements, geographers can evaluate relationships between the natural environment and human patterns. This can shed light on how certain physical features have either attracted or deterred human habitation over time. It can also help explain patterns of urbanization, availability of resources, and economic activities, which are all factors that affect settlement distribution and size.
Thus, the correct answer that best matches the purposes of a dot density/physical map comparison in understanding population distribution is: To understand why so many or so few people live in an area (A).