Michigan Geographic Alliance
Presents
Population
Density &
Natural
Environments
Amy Perkins
Lakeshore Middle School
Population Density & Natural Environments
Amy Perkins, Lakeshore Middle School, Lakeshore Public School, Stevensville, MI 49085
Grade Level: 9th Grade
Grade Level Content Expectation(s):
 Describe how processes like population growth, economic development,
urbanization, resource use, international trade, and global communication are
affecting different world regions. II.4.HS3
 Interpret geographic information from maps, tables, graphs, charts, and text.
V.1.HS.3
Lesson Overview
This lesson will challenge students to identify how the natural environment (e.g. climate,
availability of natural resources, landforms) affects human settlement patterns throughout
the world. They will use a world population distribution map and a physical map of the
world to examine the correlation between environmental factors and human population
density.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
 Identify the environmental reasons for human settlement patterns throughout
the world.
 Use data to compose a short essay explaining the correlation between
environmental factors and human population density.
Materials
 World Map of Natural Vegetation
http://www.mapsofworld.com/thematic-maps/world-natural-vegetation.htm
 World Map of Minerals http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-mineral-map.htm
 World Map showing Energy Balance, Principal Oilfields, Coalfields, and Gasfields
http://www.mapsofworld.com/thematic-maps/world-energy-balance-map.htm
 1994 Population Distribution Map of the World
http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/popden.html)
 Physical Map of the World

http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/reference_maps/physical_world.html
Requirements for Short Essay Composition
Teacher Background Notes
The population of the world in 1950 was 2.5 billion people and in 2000 it was
approximately 6 billion. The increase in population over the 50 year period resulted in
numerous changes in the human-environment interactions that occur in regions. For
example, forested regions have been converted to grasslands. There are three aspects of
the increase in population. First, it has not increased at the same rate in all parts of the
world. Second, the population density of countries and regions increases as their total
population increases. It is the increase in population density that usually has the greatest
impact since most countries have some regions that have a better natural environment in
which to live and other regions of a country are often not so well-suited. For example,
China has the best environmental conditions (climate and soil fertility) in the southeastern
coastal region and the interior is either mountainous or arid. Therefore, the population
density of southeastern China is far greater than the northwest region. Finally, the third
aspect is that where the population density is highest, the impact of the population on the
environment is greatest.
Students should have a basic understanding of the natural resources required to sustain a
human population prior to the lesson. Students should be familiar with how governments
have divided land and sea areas into different region prior to the lesson. Students should
have experience composing short essays using data from maps/charts prior to the lesson.
Procedure for Activity
1. Distribute copies of the 1994 Global Population Density of the World Map.
b) Have students list the countries/global regions with the greatest population
density. (Record list on the board)
c) Have students list the countries/global regions with the lowest population density.
(Record list on the board)
d) Show students a physical map of the Earth. Divide students into small groups (34 students per group). Using the physical map, have students compare the two
groups of countries/regions (i.e. those with the greatest and those with the lowest
population densities) using the following questions or statements.
Note: They should record their answers on their worksheets (see attachment).
1) Locate the most densely population regions on the physical map.
a) What do the densely populated regions have in common?
-rich in natural resources
-easily accessible (near major transportation routes)
-fertile soil
b) Explain this phenomenon: Why do people tend to settle in these regions?
-Natural resources enable economic growth, attract industry
-Fertile soil is necessary for farming—feeding large populations
-People typically settle in convenient locations—places that are easy to access and
located along major trade routes
2) Locate the least populated regions on the physical map.
a) What do the least populated regions have in common?
-dry, infertile soil
-difficult to access (mountains, deserts, landlocked—distant from major
transportation routes)
b) Explain this phenomenon: Why do few people settle in these regions with low population
densities?
-Few natural resources to attract industry, jobs
-No fertile soil for farming; unable to produce enough food to feed a large
population
-The region is relatively inaccessible—not a convenient destination for people and
distant from established trade routes.
e) Instruct students to respond to the following question using a short essay format:
How have natural environments (e.g. climate, availability of natural resources,
landforms) influenced human settlement patterns in various world regions? Be
sure to include specific examples to support your argument.
*Suggestions for lesson extension:
-Identify and discuss other factors that dramatically influence population
density in various world regions (e.g. disease, war, environmental disasters).
-How have recent advances in technology and transportation enabled humans
to inhabit regions that are devoid of natural resources, fertile soil and
hospitable climates? (Ex. Las Vegas, NV)
6. Assessment
See the rubric below to assist with grading student essays.
**See “Six Trait Analytic Writing Rubric” (http://www.ade.state.az.us/sbtl/6traits/)
for
additional information regarding assessment.
7. References
-World Map of Natural Vegetation
http://www.mapsofworld.com/thematic-maps/world-natural-vegetation.htm
-World Map of Minerals
http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-mineral-map.htm
-World Map showing Energy Balance, Principal Oilfields, Coalfields, and Gasfields
http://www.mapsofworld.com/thematic-maps/world-energy-balance-map.htm
-1994 Population Distribution Map of the World (see
http://soils.usda.gov/use/worldsoils/mapindex/popden.html)
-Physical Map of the World
http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/reference_maps/physical_world.html
8. Student sheets (blackline masters)
Worksheet: “Population Density and Natural Environments”
9. Answer keys and scoring guides
Worksheet key: “Population Density and Natural Environments”
Rubric for grading student essays
Population Density and Natural Environments
Using the physical map of the world, examine the correlation between population density and
natural environments.
Record your answers in the space provided.
1) Locate the most densely population regions on the physical
map.
a) What do the densely populated regions have in common?
b) Explain this phenomenon: Why do people tend to settle in these regions with low
population densities?
2) Locate the least populated regions on the physical map.
a) What do the least populated regions have in common?
b) Explain this phenomenon: Why do few people settle in these regions?
3) Short essay response: How have natural environments (e.g. climate,
availability of natural resources, landforms) influenced human settlement
patterns in various world regions? Be sure to include specific examples to
support your argument.
(Record your answer on the back side of this worksheet)
Grading Rubric for Student’s Essay
Student’s name: _______________
__/4 points
that
__/6 points
Lists four or more environmental characteristics of regions/countries
are densely populated.
Uses three or more examples (2 points each) to demonstrate the
correlation between the natural environment (climate, natural
resources, landforms) and the human population density in various
world regions.
__/4 points
Uses correct spelling and grammar.
__/2 points
Presents information in an organized manner. (Introduction, body,
conclusion)
__/16 points Total points awarded
Comments:
Student name:__Key______
Population Density and Natural Environments
Using the physical map of the world, examine the correlation between population density and
natural environments.
Record your answers in the space provided.
1) Locate the most densely population regions on the physical
map.
a) What do the densely populated regions have in common?
-rich in natural resources
-easily accessible (near major transportation routes)
-fertile soil
b) Explain this phenomenon: Why do people tend to settle in these regions with low
population
densities?
-Natural resources enable economic growth, attract industry
-Fertile soil is necessary for farming—feeding large populations
-People typically settle in convenient locations—places that are easy to access and
located along major trade routes
2) Locate the least populated regions on the physical map.
a) What do the least populated regions have in common?
-dry, infertile soil
-difficult to access (mountains, deserts, landlocked—distant from major
transportation routes)
b) Explain this phenomenon: Why do few people settle in these regions?
-Few natural resources to attract industry, jobs
-No fertile soil for farming; unable to produce enough food to feed a large
population
-The region is relatively inaccessible—not a convenient destination for people and
distant from established trade routes.
3) Short essay response: How have natural environments (e.g. climate,
availability of natural resources, landforms) influenced human settlement
patterns in various world regions? Be sure to include specific examples to
support your argument.
(Record your answer on the back side of this worksheet)
Student name:_________________