Population & Settlement

Population density and population varies throughout the Caribbean and the world. We can determine this by observing the population of a place. Before we do this however, we must understand what each term means. Population distribution means the actual location of the people spread out through a country or region. In other terms, population distribution is the way in which a population is dispersed.

On the other hand, population density is a measure of the concentration of people within a country or region, expressed as persons per square kilometer or square mile. So when we talk about the number of people per square mile or square kilometer we are talking about population density.

The key difference between population distribution and population density is that population distribution describes how people is spread out over an area while density describes the number of people per square mile or square kilometer.

Factors Affecting Population Distribution and Density
There are several factors affect where people live and therefore influence patterns of population distribution and population density. Some factors include physical factors (relief), resources, climate and rivers. Let us consider these factors:

Physical Geography:

Some places such as deserts, mountainous regions and dense forest are unbearable to live. These environments tend to have fewer people than areas with natural advantages such as flat land, rivers etc. for example, in China few people live in the Himalayan Mountains because it is extremely cold and with steep hillsides and the soil is not conducive to farming whereas the flat fertile valley of the Yangtze River is heavily populated.

Climate:

Some regions experience climatic extremes. Places such as northern Canada, Alaska and Siberia are Polar Regions, they are extremely cold. On the other had the Sahara desert in Africa is very hot. Few people tend to live in these areas where it is hard to make a living. Other places where the climatic conditions are temperate and tropical tend to have a higher population concentration.

Proximity to the Coast:

Approximately two-third of the world’s population lives within 500 km of the coast and many live on the coast itself. The main reason for this are trade with other countries, the developing of fishing, and more recently, the development of tourism.

Resources:

The presence of resources especially energy resources has influences the distribution and density of the population. People are attracted to these areas to take advantage of them as long as they have the necessary technology to do so. Many Caribbean settlements have grown as a result of resources. Resources provide jobs and economic activity which attract population. For example, in the UK, most major cities grew close to coalfields, coal being vital for the development of industry.

Representing Population Data

After collecting and recording data is maybe difficult to understand a long list or table. It may also be difficult to see any pattern from the table alone. With that said, other ways can be used to show the data collected. Some of these ways are by using bar graphs, divided circles and line graphs. Maps can also be used to show population data for example, dot maps, isopleth maps and choropleth maps.

Bar Graphs

A bar graph can be used to show many type of data. Bar graphs used long or short bars to represent the different values. The bars can either be vertical or horizontal. You can use one bar and divide it up to show different values or you can show a number of bars on one graph. Whichever method you choose, your bars and the chart must be clearly labelled.

Bar Graph showing the student population of SSS 2012-2013 (Xyhansha Samuel).

Line Graphs

These are often used to show how values changes over a period of time. Instead of bars represent each amount, a line is drawn to join each value. They are useful for showing population growth. The horizontal and vertical axis should be clearly labelled.

Line Graph showing the population of SSS 2012-2013 (Xyhansha Samuel)

Divided Circles

Also known as pie charts are useful for showing proportions and percentages. For example, a pie chart can be used to show what percentage of the school’s population is male and female. They show a circle or pie divided up into sections or slices. Any data that can be converted into a percentage can be displayed using a pie chart. Field studies and essays are improved when divided circles are used.

Divided Circle showing the male and female population of Room 102 at SSS (Tyrique Francis)

Population Pyramids

A population pyramid is a bar graph diagram used to show the age gender structure of the population of a country, city or other area. The horizontal axis is divided into either numbers of percentages. There is a central vertical axis divided in years either by every ten years, every five years or every one year. The lower part of the pyramid shows the younger population while the upper part shows the older group of the population. A pyramid with a broad base shows a young and rapidly growing population. A narrow base shows a stable population with many older people.

Population Pyramid of Jamaica and Barbados (The Caribbean Environment for CSEC Geography: Mark Wilson)

Dot Maps

Special maps show how the population are distributed or spread over an area. A dot map is simplest map we can use to illustrate this concept. Each dot represents a certain value. For example, on a map of the world we can put dots to show how the world’s population is distributed. Ideally the dot will be where the population is located. This means that densely packed dots shows a high density of population.

Dot map of Trinidad (The Caribbean Environment for CSEC Geography: Mark Wilson)

Choropleth Maps

Another map for showing how a quantity or feature is generally distributed over a given area is called a choropleth map. Choropleth maps normally show averages, or mean, or ratios or percentages rather than symbols representing whole numbers. Choropleth maps are commonly used to show population distribution and density.

Choropleth map of Jamaica showing the population density. (Geography for CSEC Examinations: Neil Sealey)

Isopleth Maps

Isopleth maps can also be used to map population. An isoline is a line on a map joining all areas of equal values. A contour line is an isoline, joining all areas of equal height above sea level. Therefore an isopleth map looks very similar to one relief using contours. The lines show equal population density.