Population Density & Population Distribution

Population Population DensityDensity

Which photograph has a high population density?

Population Population DensityDensity

= Total number of people per unit area of land

Calculation of Calculation of Population DensityPopulation Density

Total resident in 1997 = 3736700Total resident in 1997 = 3736700

Total land area = 647.8 sq kmTotal land area = 647.8 sq km

Pop density = 5768 Pop density = 5768 persons per sq kmpersons per sq km

Population Population DensityDensity

Canada – 3 people per sq kmCanada – 3 people per sq km

Bangladesh – 1042 people per sq Bangladesh – 1042 people per sq kmkm

Singapore – 6000 people per sq kmSingapore – 6000 people per sq km

http://www.photius.com/wfb1999/rankings/population_density_2.html

ACE activity

Research on the factors affecting population density in

Singapore or

Hong Kong.

How does Singapore or Hong Kong cope with high population density?

Population Population DistributionDistribution

The way people are spread out over an area of landThe way people are spread out over an area of land

www.countrywatch.com/facts/facts_default.aspx...

Factors Affecting Population Factors Affecting Population Distribution and Population Distribution and Population DensityDensity

ReliefRelief

ClimateClimate

SoilsSoils

Mineral and energy depositsMineral and energy deposits

AccessibilityAccessibility

ReliefRelief

ClimateClimate

SoilsSoils

Mineral and energy depositsMineral and energy deposits

AccessibilityAccessibility

Population Population DistributionDistributionPopulation is not evenly Population is not evenly

distributeddistributed

are found in central and are found in central and northern part80% of the northern part80% of the people live in west coastpeople live in west coast

Areas of high pop density Areas of high pop density (above 200 persons per sq (above 200 persons per sq km) are the major cities such km) are the major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and as Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Johor BahruJohor Bahru

Areas of moderate pop density Areas of moderate pop density (21 – 200 persons per sq km) (21 – 200 persons per sq km) are found on the coastal plain are found on the coastal plain on the east coaston the east coast

Areas of low pop density Areas of low pop density (below 21 persons per sq km) (below 21 persons per sq km)

ReliefRelief

Lowland areas/low reliefs are able to support a dense population

Development of settlements, transport, agriculture and industry

Central northern part is sparsely populated because it is mountainous

ClimateClimateWest coast more densely West coast more densely populated – sheltered from SW populated – sheltered from SW monsoon by Sumatramonsoon by Sumatra

More evenly distributed rainfall More evenly distributed rainfall and high temp (25 – 28°C) and high temp (25 – 28°C) favour cultivation of cropsfavour cultivation of crops

Sheltered from heavy rain Sheltered from heavy rain facilitates the growth of trade, facilitates the growth of trade, market towns and portsmarket towns and ports

East coast is exposed to NE East coast is exposed to NE monsoon as it faces South monsoon as it faces South China SeaChina Sea

Heavy and prolonged Heavy and prolonged downpour causes floods and downpour causes floods and inflict economic lossesinflict economic losses

SoilSoilSoil on the west coast is generally deep Soil on the west coast is generally deep and well-oxidised and is suitable for and well-oxidised and is suitable for growing cash crops such as rubber and growing cash crops such as rubber and oil palmoil palm

Presence of fertile alluvial soil which Presence of fertile alluvial soil which supports wet rice cultivationsupports wet rice cultivation

Hence, west coast able to support dense Hence, west coast able to support dense populationpopulation

East coast – swampy lowland East coast – swampy lowland

Mountains in central northern part – Mountains in central northern part – poor, thin, stony soilpoor, thin, stony soil

Minerals and Energy Minerals and Energy deposits deposits

Discovery of tin deposits in the west coast Discovery of tin deposits in the west coast (Kinta, Kelang Valley) attracted influx of (Kinta, Kelang Valley) attracted influx of Chinese immigrantsChinese immigrants

Led to development of roads and railways Led to development of roads and railways in the west coastin the west coast

Mining and agricultural activities have led Mining and agricultural activities have led to the development of market townsto the development of market towns

Many industries have been set up Many industries have been set up because of the established infrastructurebecause of the established infrastructure

Accessibility Accessibility West coast is easily accessible West coast is easily accessible by road, rail and airby road, rail and air

Major ports are developed on Major ports are developed on the west coast along the the west coast along the sheltered Straits of Malacca, sheltered Straits of Malacca, an international sea routean international sea route

Better transportation network Better transportation network on the west coast has on the west coast has speeded economic speeded economic development and creation of development and creation of more jobsmore jobs

Central northern part is Central northern part is sparsely populated because of sparsely populated because of poor accessibility due to steep poor accessibility due to steep forested slopes of mountainsforested slopes of mountains

Describe and account for the Describe and account for the population distribution and density in population distribution and density in Peninsular Malaysia.Peninsular Malaysia.• DescribeDescribe

High population density – where?High population density – where?

moderate population density – where?moderate population density – where?

Low population density – where?Low population density – where?

• AccountAccount - Factors influencing population distribution - Factors influencing population distribution

ReliefRelief

ClimateClimate

Mineral resourcesMineral resources

SoilsSoils

Accessibility Accessibility

Pair share

Based on a country in Asia

locate areas of differing distribution

study the factors behind the distribution