1. Write about the trend of population growth in the world. Why and during which period the population growth rate was high?

Answer: In the early period of human history, the population growth rate was very low. About 10,000 years ago (8000 B.C.), when agriculture began, the world had only 8 million people. Due to famine and epidemics, many people died and the population grew slowly. In the Christian era, it reached 200 million, and around 1808, it crossed 1 billion. The highest growth rate happened during 1950 to 2000, when the population increased by 350 crore in just 50 years. This rapid rise is known as a population explosion.

The main reasons behind it were:

a) Better food supply.

b) Improved standard of living.

c) Advancement in medical science.

According to the UN, the world population reached 700 crore in 2011, and it may reach 800 crore by 2025 and 950 crore by 2050.

2. What is the estimate of world population? State the major reasons of spatial variation in population growth.

Answer: According to the United Nations, the world population reached 700 crores (7 billion) on 31st October 2011. It is estimated to reach 800 crores in 2025 and 950 crores in 2050. The population growth rate is not the same in all areas of the world. There is spatial variation in population growth due to several reasons:

a) Difference in socio-economic development.

b) Higher birth rate in many Asian and African countries.

c) Migration in regions like North America.

d) Out-migration and low birth rate in Europe.

Due to these differences, some regions have very high population growth, while others have stable or low growth.

3. Give a picture of regional variation in population growth in the present time in the world.

OR/ Explain how population growth is not the same everywhere and why this difference happens.

Answer: Earlier, from 1750–1950, the growth rate was higher in developed countries (0.8%) than in developing ones (0.5%), but it reversed after 1950. During 1950–1970, developing countries had a high growth rate of 2.2%, while developed countries had 1.1%. In Africa, the rate increased from 0.05% (1750–1850) to 2.55% (1950–2000), and in Europe, it remained low at 0.6%. Central and South America had the highest growth rate of 2.6%.

In terms of population increase, Asia had the highest growth, from 502 million in 1750 to 3680 million in 2000. North America increased from 2 million to 316 million. Asia’s growth is due to high birth rate, North America’s growth is due to migration, while Europe has low growth due to low birth rate and out-migration.

4. Write about population distribution in the world and state the major factors of unevenness in the distribution.

Answer: The Population is not equally distributed in all parts of the world. About 90% of the population lives in the Northern Hemisphere. Nearly half of the world’s population is concentrated in only 5% of the earth’s surface. Among continents, Asia has the highest population density (93 persons per sq. km), and Oceania has the lowest (4 persons per sq. km).

The major factors causing uneven population distribution are:

a. Climate: Climate has a major effect on where people live. Areas with extreme cold, heat, or heavy rainfall, like deserts or snow-covered regions, are less populated. In contrast, places with moderate temperature and good rainfall, like South and East Asia, support farming and attract large populations.

b. Topography: Flat plains, river valleys, and coastal lowlands are more suitable for agriculture and transport, so they have higher population density. Mountainous and hilly areas like the Himalayas are less populated due to steep slopes, poor soil, and transport problems.

c. Soil: Fertile soil helps farming and supports more people. That’s why river valleys like the Ganga plains in India and eastern China have a high population. Poor or desert soil cannot support crops, so fewer people live there.

d. Power and Mineral Resources: Regions with mineral wealth and power sources grow faster in industry and attract workers. The Chhotanagpur plateau in India has many minerals, which has led to dense population in that area.

e. Transport System: Areas with well-connected roads, railways, and waterways attract more people because transport helps trade, travel, and communication. That’s why coastal and river valley regions are densely populated.

f. Socio-economic Conditions: The socio-economically developed areas attract more population due to employment and other facilities. On the other hand, in some agriculturally developed but backward regions, a high birth rate causes rapid growth. As a result, both types of areas experience high population density.

5. Discuss with examples about the role of topography and climate in population distribution.

Answer: Topography and climate are two major physical factors that influence the distribution of population across the world.

Topography:
The nature of topography also has great impact on population distribution. Riverine plains and coastal lowlands have high population density due to suitable agriculture and transport systems. But rugged and mountainous regions are thinly populated due to unsuitability of farming and transport. For example, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh have low population, while the Ganga-Brahmaputra plains and coastal Kerala are densely populated.

Climate:
Among the physical factors, the impact of climate is highly significant towards the distribution of population. Areas with extremely cold or hot conditions and excessive rainfall or dryness are not suitable for agriculture and human habitation. That is why regions like the Sahara Desert and Tundra have very low population density. On the other hand, South and East Asia, located in the tropical monsoon region, have adequate temperature and high rainfall. These regions support developed agriculture and have high population density.

Thus, favourable topography and climate lead to high population density, while unfavourable conditions result in low population distribution.

6. Stating the major densely populated regions of the world, briefly discuss their geographical characteristics.

Answer: The major densely populated regions of the world are:

a) Asia

b) South Asia

c) Western Europe

d) North-Eastern coastal plains of the USA

About three-fourths of the world’s population live in these four regions. These areas have favourable geographical location, riverine and coastal plains, suitable climate, and availability of mineral resources. They also have well-developed transport systems and growth in industry and trade. These factors support human settlement and high population density.

Other densely populated areas include the coastal parts of South America, the Nile River basin of Africa, West African coast, and South-East Asia. These regions also have favourable conditions for agriculture, trade, and transport, which attract more people.

7. What are the major thinly populated regions of the world? What are the main reasons behind the thin population in those areas?

Answer: The major thinly populated regions of the world are:

a) Tundra region of North America and Europe.

b) Desert areas like the Sahara, Kalahari, Gobi, and Thar.

c) Equatorial forest regions with very high rainfall.

d) High mountain areas like the Himalayas, the Rocky Mountains, and the Andes.

The main reasons behind the thin population in these regions are:

a) Extreme climate conditions such as very cold, hot, dry, or wet weather.

b) Unsuitable landforms like high mountains and deserts.

c) Difficult living conditions, lack of agriculture, and poor transport systems.

Some places of these regions are even without population. It is thus clear that the distribution of world population is uneven due to differences in both physical and human environments.

8. What do you mean by "human migration"? What are its major types?

Answer: The phenomenon of movement of a person or a group of people to a new place by leaving their place of residence for a considerable long period of time is known as human migration. Generally, three types of impact take place due to human migration the place to which migration takes place, the place from where migration takes place; and among the migrants themselves.

Types of Human Migration:

1. On the basis of distance: Human migration can be for short distances and long distances.

2. On the basis of time: This migration can be short-term, long-term, and seasonal or permanent or temporary.

3. According to reasons of migration: It can be economic migration, social migration, etc.

4. On the basis of location:

a) Intranational or Internal migration:

– When migration takes place within a country, it is called internal migration.
The internal migration can take place from one state to another state, or from one district to another, or from one place to another place within the same district. This type of migration can take place in four different directions from village to town, from town to village, from town to town and from village to village.

b) International or External migration:
– When migration takes place from one country to another, it is called international migration. In the case of International migration, it may be mentioned that when the migrants from their country move to other countries, then it is called Emigration, and the process of migration with respect to the other countries for settlement is known as immigration.

9. Write briefly why 'human migration' takes place.

Answer: Human migration is a complex process that happens due to various reasons. It can be caused by economic, social, political, environmental, and other related factors. These reasons force people to leave their native places and settle elsewhere for a better life.

The main reasons are:

a) Economic Reasons – Poverty, unemployment, and the need for livelihood often cause people to migrate to places with better opportunities.

b) Social Reasons – Marriage, the desire for education, or escaping social insecurity can lead to migration.

C) Political Reasons – Political unrest, war, and terrorism make people move from unsafe areas.

d) Environmental Reasons – Natural disasters like floods, droughts, and earthquakes force people to leave affected areas.

e) Other Reasons – High population pressure, low standard of living, and poor transport and communication also lead to migration.

10.State the push and pull factors of human migration.

Answer: Migration happens when people leave one place and move to another due to various reasons. These reasons are called push factors (that force people to leave) and pull factors (that attract people to a new place). The greater the difference between these two, the more likely migration will occur.

(A)Push Factors (force people to leave a place):

1. Lack of employment opportunity, unfavourable economic conditions.

2. Low rate of wages, low standard of living.

3. High pressure of population and low agricultural production.

4. Political instability, lack of safety, and security.

5. Unfavourable social environment and social inequalities.

6. Unfavourable physical condition, natural hazards.

7. Backward transport and communication systems.

(B) Pull Factors (attract people to a new place):

1. Availability of jobs, better economic conditions, and industrial growth.

2. High wages and better living standards.

3. Low population pressure, good health and agriculture facilities.

4. Stable politics and strong security.

5. Good social conditions, education, and freedom of thinking.

6. Fertile land and favourable environment.

7. Modern transport and communication systems.

11. What do you mean by international migration? Write briefly about the causes and consequences of the two international migrations with examples.

Answer: International migration means migration from one country to another. When people leave their own country, it is called emigration, and when they enter another country, it is called immigration. In the present day, most international migration is economic in nature, but there are also cases of political and historical reasons behind it.

Two examples of international migration are:

1. Partition of India (1947):

Cause: During the partition of India at the time of the country’s independence in 1947, around 15 to 20 million people migrated from one part of undivided India to the other as refugees.

Consequence: This large-scale migration changed the population composition of both India and Pakistan.

2. Chinese Aggression in Tibet:

Cause: The Chinese aggression in Tibet during the middle of the 20th century led to the displacement of several lakhs of Tibetans.

Consequence: These Tibetan people entered India as refugees, and their settlement in India changed the population composition of some areas.

These cases show that international migration can happen due to political and historical events, and it brings important changes in the distribution and composition of population in both the origin and destination regions.

12. Write short notes:

(a) Population explosion

Population explosion means a very fast and sudden increase in population within a short time. For example, between 1950 and 2000, the world population grew by 350 crores, which was much higher than earlier periods. This rapid growth is called population explosion.

(b) Density of Population

The density of population means the average number of people living per square kilometre in a particular area. It is calculated by dividing the total population by the total land area of the region.

(c) Internal migration/Intranational migration.

When migration takes place within the same country, it is called internal or intranational migration. The internal migration can take place from one state to another state, or from one district to another, or from one place to another place within the same district. This type of migration can take place in four different directions from village to town, from town to village, from town to town and from village to village.

(d) International migration

When migration takes place from one country to another, it is called international or external migration. In the case of International migration, it may be mentioned that when migrants from their country move to other countries, then it is called Emigration, and the process of migration with respect to the other countries for settlement is known as immigration.
(e) Pull factors of human migration

Pull factors are the positive conditions in the place of destination that attract migrants. These include:

1. Availability of jobs, better economic conditions, and industrial growth.

2. High wages and better living standards.

3. Low population pressure, good health and agriculture facilities.

4. Stable politics and strong security.

5. Good social conditions, education, and freedom of thinking.

6. Fertile land and favourable environment.

7. Modern transport and communication systems.

These factors make people choose a new location to settle and improve their lives.

(f) Push factors of human migration

The push factors operate in the source area of migration, then the people are compelled to leave that place. Push factors are the negative conditions at the place of origin that force people to leave. These include:

1. Lack of employment opportunity, unfavourable economic conditions.

2. Low rate of wages, low standard of living.

3. High pressure of population and low agricultural production.

4. Political instability, lack of safety, and security.

5. Unfavourable social environment and social inequalities.

6. Unfavourable physical condition, natural hazards.

7. Backward transport and communication systems.

These factors make living difficult, encouraging people to migrate.

(g) Bangladesh-India Population migration

India has experienced illegal migration from Bangladesh, especially into its northeastern state, Assam. Being close to the border and rich in agricultural land and natural resources, Assam attracted many migrants from Bangladesh and Nepal. This led to a rise in population and changes in the state’s religious and linguistic composition. Although immigration has decreased in recent times, its impact continues. The government needs to take strict measures to prevent further immigration and manage the socio-economic challenges it has caused.

13. State the reasons behind the variation in population density in your locality.

Answer: Not required.

14. Choose the correct answer:

(a) In which year world had a population of about 1 billion?
(i) In 1950
(ii) In 1808
(iii) In 1908
(iv) In 1008

Answer: (ii) In 1808

(b) What is the main reason of world population growth?
(i) Increase of birth rate
(ii) Decrease of death rate
(iii) Decrease of death rate compared to birth rate
(iv) Migration

Answer: (iii) Decrease of death rate compared to birth rate.

(c) Which is the least populous continent in the world?
(i) Africa
(ii) Oceania
(iii) Europe
(iv) South America

Answer: (ii) Oceania

(d) Among the following countries, which one has the highest population density?
(i) Japan
(ii) India
(iii) Bangladesh
(iv) Indonesia

Answer: (iii) Bangladesh.

CH-3

POPULATION GROWTH AND DISTRIBUTION