Population Size and Distribution

When few people live in a large area, density is low. Exam tip: understand density with area and people.

Harsh climate can make living and working difficult. Exam tip: connect harsh climate with low population.

Fertile land and employment attract people. Exam tip: connect favourable conditions with high population.

Geography studies the relation between people and places. Exam tip: remember population geography.

In plains, agriculture and settlement are comparatively easier. Exam tip: connect plains with agriculture and settlement.

High density increases pressure on facilities. Exam tip: connect density with planning pressure.

Good transport connects people and jobs. Exam tip: write transport as a distribution factor.

A census is the official and comprehensive count of people in an area and provides data on population size, distribution, and other demographic characteristics. Therefore, it is the best source for total population. An electoral roll includes only eligible voters, while birth records show only births. Exam tip: For ‘total population’ or ‘official population data’, choose census.

Size tells total number and distribution tells spread of people. Exam tip: treat both as different but connected.

Population distribution is uneven and affected by many factors. Exam tip: write uneven distribution as the main idea.

Population distribution shows where and how people are settled. Exam tip: link distribution with spatial spread.

India's population is distributed unevenly across states and regions. Fertile plains and areas with water, industries, and employment opportunities generally have higher population density, while mountainous, arid, and forested areas tend to have lower density. Therefore, the population is neither nearly equal nor limited only to mountain or coastal states. Exam tip: link population distribution with relief, climate, resources, and job opportunities.

Plains are level, so building settlements, roads, and transport networks is comparatively easier. Fertile soil and access to water also support agriculture, creating jobs and attracting settlements. Therefore, plains generally have a higher population. Option A is incorrect because desert regions usually have sparse population. Exam tip: associate densely populated regions with fertile land, water availability, level relief, and good transport.

Climate is a major natural factor affecting population distribution. Areas with favourable temperatures and adequate rainfall may offer better farming, water availability, and living conditions, so they can support relatively larger populations. The colour of a postage stamp, the size of a wristwatch, and a book-cover design do not influence where people settle. Exam tip: remember climate, water, relief, and resources as key factors of population distribution.

Level land makes it comparatively easier to build houses and roads, develop transport, and practise agriculture; therefore, settlement is easier there. In contrast, construction and movement are difficult on very steep slopes. Exam tip: remember that relief and slope strongly influence the distribution of settlements.

Desert areas have low population due to lack of water and farming. Exam tip: treat water availability as a key reason.

Population density is the number of people living per unit area. Exam tip: understand it as a ratio.

The census provides systematic data on the country's population. Exam tip: treat the census as an official source.

A census gives information about number, age, sex and other features. Exam tip: consider census as broad population information.

River valleys and plains are favourable for farming and life. Exam tip: remember the Ganga plain as an example.