Population density
Population density — the number of people living in a given area per km². It is calculated as total population ÷ area.
- Higher density — more crowded
- Lower density — less crowded
Factors affecting population density
The main factors affecting population densities are:
- Relief — the shape and steepness of the land (flat land supports higher densities than steep slopes)
- Communications — transport links and infrastructure
- Economy — jobs and resources
Case studies
High population density — Japan
Causes of high density:
- Employment
- Flat land
- Transportation
- Natural resources
- Fertile soil
Facts:
- Climate — 21–31 °C in summer
- ⅔ of central Japan is rocky
- Population density — 340/km²
Low population density — Namibia
Causes of low density:
- Hot and arid climate
- Bad communication/transportation
- Steep relief
- Infertile soil
Facts:
- Population density — 3/km²
- Poor transportation
- Low GDP per person — $7,600 (lack of job opportunities, correlated to few jobs outside primary sectors)
- Karas — the least densely populated region in Namibia, with a population density of 0.4/km²
- Climate — the Namib desert experiences <80 mm of annual precipitation (40% of Namibia is desert)