Define 'population density' . Explain any …

Ans. Population density is the number of people living in a particular amount of space, such as a square mile or square kilometer. It is determined by dividing the population of an area by its land area.

Geographical factors that affect population distribution include altitude and latitude, relief, climate, soils, vegetation, water and location of mineral and energy resources. It is important to note that most of the Geographical factors influence population distribution only indirectly through climatic conditions.

The influences of latitude and altitude on population distri­bution cannot be separated from one another. High altitude in general imposes an ultimate physiological limit upon human existence due to reduced atmospheric pressure and low oxygen content. Therefore, very few permanent settlements can be seen in the lofty mountains of the world at a height above 5,000 metres. Staszewski, in his exhaustive analysis of the vertical distribution of population, has shown that both numbers and densities in different parts of the world decline with increasing altitude.