1.The geographical factor whichinfluencesthe density of population is
a) Water
b) Minerals
c) Urbanisation
d) Industrialisation

Ans: a) Water

2. Which one of the following continents has the highest growth of population?
a) Africa
b) South America
c) Asia
d) North America

Ans: a) Africa

3. Which one of the following is not an area of sparse population?
a) The Atacama
b) South-east Asia
c) Equatorial region
d) Polar regions

Ans: b) South-east Asia

4. Which one of the following is not a push factor ?
a) Water shortage
b) Medical/educational facilities
c) Unemployment
d) Epidemics

Ans: d) Epidemics

5. Which one of the following is not a fact ?
a) Human population increased more than ten times during the past 500 years.
b) It took 100 years for the population to rise from 5 billion to 6 billion.
c) Population growth is high in the first stage of demographic transition?

Ans: c) Population growth is high in the first stage of demographic transition?

6. Name the geographical factors that influence the distribution of population.

Ans: Following are the factors :
(i) Availability of water : Water is the most important factor for life. So, people prefer to live in areas where fresh water is easily available. Water is used for drinking, bathing and cooking – and also for cattle, crops, industries and navigation. It is because of this that river valleys are among the most densely populated areas of the world.

(ii) Landforms : People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes. This is because such areas are favourable for the production of crops and to build roads and industries. The mountainous and hilly areas hinder the development of transport network and hence initially do not favour agricultural and industrial development. So, these areas tend to be less populated. The Ganga plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world while the mountains zones in the Himalayas are scarcely populated.

(iii) Climate : An extreme climate such as very hot or cold deserts are uncomfortable for human habitation. Areas with a comfortable climate, where there is not much seasonal variation attract more people. Areas with very heavy rainfall or extreme and harsh climates have low population. Mediterranean regions were inhabited from early periods in history due to their pleasant climate.

(iv) Soils : Fertile soils are important for agricultural and allied activities. Therefore, areas which have fertile loamy soils have more people living on them as these can support intensive agriculture.

7. There are a number of areas with high population density in the world. Why does this happen?

Ans:

• People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes. This is because such areas are favourable for the production of crops and to build roads and industries.The Ganga plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world while the mountains zones.
• Water is used for drinking, bathing and cooking – and also for cattle, crops, industries and navigation. It is because of this that river valleys are among the most densely populated areas of the world.
• Areas with a comfortable climate, where there is not much seasonal variation attract more people. Mediterranean regions were inhabited from early periods in history due to their pleasant climate.

8. What are the three components of population change?

Ans:

The three components of population change – births, deaths and migration.

• The crude birth rate (CBR) is expressed as number of live births in a year per thousand of population.
• Death rate plays an active role in population change. Population growth occurs not only by increasing births rate but also due to decreasing death rate. Crude Death Rate (CDR) is a simple method of measuring mortality of any area. CDR is expressed in terms of number of deaths in a particular year per thousand of population in a particular region.
• When people move from one place to another, the place they move from is called the Place of Origin and the place they move to is called the Place of Destination.Migration may be interpreted as a spontaneous effort to achieve a better balance between population and resources.