FACTORS INFLUENCING POPULATION DISTRIBUTION.

Human geography embraces the study of the human race, the growth of human numbers, the movements and density of population, etc. Thus human geography is a science that studies the relationship between man and the environment. Factors Influencing Population Distribution

1. Accessibility: Man was unable to reach inaccessible areas of forest, islands, mountains for a long time, so such areas have a low density as in the Amazon basin, S. American Plateaus, etc.

2. Relief: Steep gradients, high mountains, rugged terrain restrict settlement because of hindrances in movement. Similarly, rivers may exert either positive or negative effects. Most attract settlement but some are liable to flooding, change of course and so hinder settlements.

3. Altitude and Latitude: There are very few settlements above 5500 m in Andes and Himalayas. 'La Paz' (Bolivian Capital) is at the height of 3640 m. Low latitude high plateau areas provide a positive advantage.

4. Climate: Extreme heat, cold, humidity, and aridity deter settlement. The success of crops also depends on climate. But no specific climate is optimum for settlement as obvious from the fact that two of the world's primary concentrations of population lie in the middle latitude and the third is located in the tropics. For example, Java Island and Amazon Basin have the same climate but the population density of Java is over 500 whereas the Amazon basin has less than 1.

5. Soil:- Deltaic and alluvial soils attract settlement while laterites and podzols repel. All ancient civilizations evolved in alluvial soil regions. The higher density of Jawa as compared to Sumatra is also due to soil fertility.

6. Natural Vegetation: It may also exert positive as well as negative effects on settlement.

7. Mineral and Energy Resources: The population map of W. Europe is more or less identical to the distribution of coalfields and other industries. S. African Rand, Appalachian Coalfield, Donetz Basin, W-Australia also show its effects.

8. Economic Factor: The density of the population is directly proportional to technological and economic advancement. The migration of Indian laborers to Mauritius, Trinidad, and Fiji under colonial rule shows this pattern.

9. Political Factors: Unlike communist countries in the western world various inducements may be offered to encourage migration to new towns. Mass migration of Asians from Uganda in 1972 is another example.

10. Historical Factor: Relatively recent settlement of Australia is the basic reason for its low density of 2. While the high density of India is liable to be explained in terms of its long history of civilization and occupancy.