Question

Answer in detail:

Explain the physical factors affecting the distribution of the population. 

Answer 1

Physical factors affecting the distribution of the population are: relief, climate, availability of water, and soils.

1. Relief:
   - Distribution of population is greatly affected by relied features.
   - Generally, flat plains or gently sloping lands are densely populated.
   - Plains are suitable for agricultural activities.
   - In these areas, it is easier to construct roads and railways and the development of industries and trade. As a result, many people are attracted to plains and become densely populated. For example, the Ganga plains are thickly populated.
   - On the other hand, in mountainous and hilly areas, population density is low. This is because, in such areas, agricultural development is difficult.
   - The construction and development of transport facilities are very difficult and costly too. Such areas are inaccessible.
   - Due to inaccessibility, the movement of goods and people is restricted. Therefore, mountainous and hilly areas are thinly populated. For example, the northeastern states of India have less population due to hilly and mountainous relief.
2. Climate:
   - Climate is the most important factor of all the factors influencing the distribution of the population.
   - Areas with a very hot or cold climate, heavy rainfall is uncomfortable for human settlement. Such areas are thinly populated.
   - For example, polar regions where Eskimos and Lapps live are sparsely populated due to the extremely cold climate. The Sahara Desert is sparsely populated due to the extremely hot climate.
   - On the other hand, areas with an equable climate, that is, a climate having not much seasonal variation attract people. People feel comfortable staying in these areas.
   - For example, coastal areas have dense populations because of the equable climate and wide scope for developing agriculture, industries, and trade.
   
3. Availability of water:
   - Water is the most important factor affecting the distribution of the population. It is the most essential factor for all human activities.
   - Therefore, more people live where potable and sufficient water is available. As a result, most of the river valleys are densely populated, like the Nile River valley.
   - Even in desert areas, more population is near the oasis due to water availability.
4. Soil:
   - Fertile soils are most important for the development of agriculture.
   - The areas with fertile alluvial soil have developed intensive agriculture and support many people. Hence, they are densely populated, e.g., Gangetic Plain, Plains of Mississippi, Irrawaddy, and the Yangtze, etc.
   - Similarly, in the areas with very fertile black cotton soil or regur soil, agriculture is well-developed; hence, such areas are densely populated.
   - The volcanic soil is very fertile; hence, it supports agriculture. Therefore, the slopes of volcanic mountains have a dense population—for example, the volcanic mountain slopes of Java Island.