Population distribution

• Population distribution is the spread of people over an area, country or region
• In the past population distribution was mainly influenced by natural factors such as soil fertility and the environment
• Whilst natural factors still play a role their effect has been lessened as humans are continually mastering the environment through research and technology
• Areas such as the northern parts of Zimbabwe (Zambezi Valley) are now inhabitable
• In the past these areas were uninhabitable due to tsetse flies
• Areas such as the Lowe-veld which is found on the southern parts of Zimbabwe were dry and susceptible to droughts
• People tended to shy away from populating these areas
• Due to technologies such as irrigation the areas are now inhabited and boast thriving irrigation schemes such as the Hippo Valley and Triangle estates
• Population density is the number of people living in a particular area – usually 1 square kilometre and
• it  is typically calculated as total population divided by the total land area which they occupy.
• The world’s population is not distributed evenly across the land area
• There are physical/natural factors and human factors that determine how the world’s population is distributed

To access more topics go to the Geography Notes page.