Where is the highest density of life on land? What determines the density of life?

Where is the highest density of life on land? Scientists-geographers have long solved this most interesting problem. We suggest you also to find the answer to this curious question in our cognitive article.

Density of life on land

Probably, it's not a secret for anyone that the population on the surface of our planet is distributed unevenly. To be more precise, it is extremely uneven. It's hard to believe, but only about five percent of the Earth's territory is inhabited by about 70% of all inhabitants of the planet.

In order to visualize where on earth the highest density of life is observed, it is enough to look at the corresponding maps. They are geographers for us, transforming a huge amount of factual information into a sufficiently large and easily perceivable manual.

Below is a map showing the density of life on land. It is performed with the help of the so-called point reception, when the spatial distribution of a particular phenomenon, the process is shown by means of points. In this case, the thicker the dots are, the more densely populated the territory.

Population density - what is it?

Density (or density) of the population is an indicator of the level of population of a certain territory. This is the number of residents permanently living on a unit area. It can be calculated both for the whole surface of the land, and for individual countries or small areas. Geographers measure the density of life of land by a simple formula:

Population density = population size / area of a specific territory.

This indicator is measured in inhabitants per km ² .

To date, the density of the planet's population is about 40 people / km ² . At the same time, the density of population within urban settlements is ten times higher than in rural areas.

Population density in the historical context

According to historians and anthropologists, 10,000 years ago there were only five million people on our planet. At that time, all the continents were inhabited, but the overall population density was extremely low. Later, with the development of mankind, cities began to emerge, which became the nuclei of population concentration. Around them were formed agricultural belts with the prejudice of the peasantry, who produced food for urban settlements.

The spread of humanity around the planet was greatly influenced by the so-called industrial revolution, which began in Britain at the end of the 18th century. Residents began to concentrate in industrial areas. At the same time there is an active settlement of the Europeans of America (New World).

Main factors of population distribution

It should be noted that the density of life of the land depends on a number of natural and economic factors. It:

• Natural and climatic conditions (the most densely populated belt of the temperate and subtropical climate);
• Relief (most of the world population is concentrated on plains and lowlands);
• Access to the ocean (coastal areas, as a rule, are very densely populated);
• The presence of a river or a reservoir, that is, sources of fresh water;
• Land transport infrastructure, the level of industrial development (this criterion has become significant since the beginning of the XIX century).

Where is the highest density of life on land?

In fact, all the continents of the planet (except, perhaps, Antarctica) have the conditions for permanent residence of the population. However, "the fish seeks where it is deeper, and the man - where better". Therefore, no more than 5% of its population lives on 50% of the Earth's land mass.

The most densely populated region of the world is Southeast Asia. There are concentrated about 30% of all inhabitants of the planet. The second region in terms of the number of people per square kilometer can be called Western Europe.

The density of the population within even one country can vary greatly. Compare the example of the UK: in the highlands of Scotland, this figure is no more than 10 people / km ² , while in the center of London - about 20 thousand per km ² !

If we analyze the density of population by individual states, then the leading countries in this indicator will be:

• The Principality of Monaco (16620 people / km ² );
• Singapore (6389 people / km ² );
• Vatican City (2,093 people / km ² );
• Malta (1261 people / km ² );
• Maldives (1163 people / km ² );
• Bangladesh (1005 people / km ² ).

Population-record cities

The largest number of cities is concentrated in Europe, North America, and also on the Japanese islands. We bring to your attention the top ten cities in the world with the maximum population density:

1. Shanghai (China)
2. Karachi (Pakistan)
3. Istanbul, Turkey)
4. Tokyo, Japan)
5. Mumbai (India)
6. Buenos Aires, Argentina)
7. Dhaka (Bangladesh)
8. Manila (Philippines)
9. New Delhi, India
10. Moscow, Russia)

Conclusion

So you found out the answer to the question, where the highest density of life is observed on land. Thus, the population on the Earth's surface is distributed extremely unevenly, and its density depends on a variety of natural, economic and historical factors.