• Population distribution refers to the way or manner in which people are spread on the earth surface or a geographical location.

         The world’s population is not evenly distributed that is ; there are some places with many people than others.

• Population density is the average number of people living per sq kilometer (Km²). Also, when population is related to surface are then;

              Population density= total population

                         Land surface area

Example:

In the year 2002, the population of France was 60,000,000 living on a surface area of 547,000km. Calculate its population density.

Solution;

   60,000,000= 109.69 p/km²

      547,000

World population distribution

The population of the earth is unevenly distributed. There are areas of high, moderate and low population densities.

         Areas of high population densities

• South east Asia
• Western Europe
• North east USA
• Nile valley in Egypt
• The Ganges in India

Reasons for the high population density

1. Good climate; most of these areas are found in the warm moist temperature climate.
2. Fertile soil; the fertile soil favor cultivation of crops which attract the population e.g. Nile valley
3. Growth of industries; there are many manufacturing industries which attract million people.
4. Good transport network; these areas have good roads, railways which makes movement of people easy e.g. NE of USA

        The areas of moderate population

These areas have population density of 10 to 50 persons per km². They include;

• South west of USA
• Central and north Africa
• Eastern Europe
• Middle east

          The areas of low population density

These are areas with less than 10 persons per km². They include;

• Polar region
• Desert like the Sahara
• Mountainous regions

Reasons for low population density

1. Poor soils like in the polar and the desert regions
2. Harsh climate
3. Poor transport network like in mountainous regions
4. Low level of industrial development
5. Low level of agriculture