Population Density &
Population
Distribution
Population Density
Which photograph has a high population
density?
Population Density
= Total number of people per unit area of land
Calculation of Population
Density
Total resident in 1997 = 3736700
Total land area = 647.8 sq km

Pop density = 5768
persons per sq km
Population Density
Canada – 3 people per sq km
Bangladesh – 1042 people per sq km
Singapore – 6000 people per sq km
http://www.photius.com/wfb1999/rankings/population_density_2.html
ACE activity
Research on the factors affecting population
density in
Singapore or
Hong Kong.
How does Singapore or Hong Kong cope with
high population density?
Population
Distribution
The way people are spread out over an
area of land
www.countrywatch.com/facts/facts_default.aspx...
Factors Affecting Population
Distribution and Population
Density
Relief
Climate
Soils
Mineral and energy deposits
Accessibility
Population Distribution
Population is not evenly
distributed
are found in central and northern
part80% of the people live in
west coast
Areas of high pop density (above
200 persons per sq km) are the
major cities such as Kuala
Lumpur, Melaka and Johor Bahru
Areas of moderate pop density
(21 – 200 persons per sq km) are
found on the coastal plain on the
east coast
Areas of low pop density (below
21 persons per sq km)
Relief
Lowland areas/low reliefs are able to
support a dense population
Development of settlements, transport,
agriculture and industry
Central northern part is sparsely populated
because it is mountainous
Climate
West coast more densely populated
– sheltered from SW monsoon by
Sumatra
More evenly distributed rainfall and
high temp (25 – 28°C) favour
cultivation of crops
Sheltered from heavy rain facilitates
the growth of trade, market towns
and ports
East coast is exposed to NE
monsoon as it faces South China
Sea
Heavy and prolonged downpour
causes floods and inflict economic
Soil
Soil on the west coast is generally deep and
well-oxidised and is suitable for growing cash
crops such as rubber and oil palm
Presence of fertile alluvial soil which supports
wet rice cultivation
Hence, west coast able to support dense
population
East coast – swampy lowland
Mountains in central northern part – poor, thin,
stony soil
Minerals and Energy deposits
Discovery of tin deposits in the west coast
(Kinta, Kelang Valley) attracted influx of
Chinese immigrants
Led to development of roads and railways in the
west coast
Mining and agricultural activities have led to the
development of market towns
Many industries have been set up because of
the established infrastructure
Accessibility
West coast is easily accessible by
road, rail and air
Major ports are developed on the
west coast along the sheltered
Straits of Malacca, an international
sea route
Better transportation network on
the west coast has speeded
economic development and
creation of more jobs
Central northern part is sparsely
populated because of poor
accessibility due to steep forested
slopes of mountains
Describe and account for the population
distribution and density in Peninsular
Malaysia.
• Describe
High population density – where?
moderate population density – where?
Low population density – where?
•
Account - Factors influencing population distribution
Relief
Climate
Mineral resources
Soils
Accessibility
Pair share
Based on a country in Asia
locate areas of differing distribution
study the factors behind the distribution