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Define population distribution.
The **pattern** of where people live across an area — clustered in some places, sparse in others.
Define population density.
The number of people per unit area, measured in **people per km²**.
Densely vs sparsely populated?
**Dense** = many people per km²; **sparse** = few people per km².
Name the five main physical factors affecting distribution.
**Relief, climate, water supply, soil fertility, resources.**
How does relief affect density?
Flat, low land is easy to farm and build on → dense; steep mountains → sparse.
How does climate affect density?
Mild, well-watered climates attract people; extreme heat, cold or drought repel them.
Why is Egypt's population so concentrated?
~95% live on ~5% of the land along the **Nile** — water + fertile silt; the desert around is dry and hot.
Why do ~90% of Canadians live near the southern border?
The far north is **too cold**; the milder south is easier to live and farm in.
Why is the Ganges–Brahmaputra delta so densely populated?
Flat relief, plentiful water and fertile silt allow intensive farming.
What does 'Explain' require that 'Describe' does not?
**Explain** needs the reason/mechanism; **Describe** just states the pattern.
How are marks split on 'Explain two physical factors [4]'?
**2 marks per factor** — each needs a mechanism linked to population density.
Define the fertility rate.
The average number of children a woman has.
What happens to fertility as a country develops?
It **falls** — families have fewer children.
What happens to life expectancy as a country develops?
It **rises** — people live longer.
Two reasons fertility falls with development?
Female education + employment, and lower child mortality (also cost of children, family planning).
Define the demographic dividend.
The economic boost when a **large share are working-age** with **few dependants**.
How does a demographic dividend boost the economy?
More workers and taxpayers, and fewer dependants → more savings and investment.
Fertility vs life expectancy relationship?
**Negative** — high fertility goes with low life expectancy, and vice versa.
Why do educated women have fewer children?
They tend to **delay** childbearing for study/work and choose smaller families.
Why does lower child mortality reduce fertility?
When more children survive, families no longer need many to ensure some live.
Data command terms: Identify vs Estimate?
**Identify** = read a value straight off; **Estimate** = give a sensible figure from the axis.
What does a population pyramid show?
A country's **age and sex structure** — males left, females right, youngest at the bottom.
Define age structure.
How a population is divided between **young, working-age and old** people.
Who are the dependants?
**Under-15s and over-65s**, who rely on the working-age (15–64) population.
Define the sex ratio.
The **balance of males to females** in a population (often per 100 females).
Define the rate of natural increase.
**Birth rate − death rate** (per 1000 per year); it **excludes** migration.
Wide-based pyramid shape means…
A **youthful** population — high birth rate, fast growth.
Narrow base + wide top means…
An **ageing** population — low birth rate, more elderly.
Why is the female side wider at the top?
Women tend to **live longer**, so they dominate the oldest age groups.
Why can labour migration unbalance the sex ratio?
It is often young **men** moving for work, leaving more females at the source.
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