Western Europe is densely populated due to its temperate climate suitable for agriculture, fertile land, good infrastructure, job opportunities, and political/religious freedom. Bangladesh is also densely populated because its fertile soil and climate ideal for rice cultivation provide abundant food and livelihoods. The Eastern US seaboard around cities like New York is densely populated historically due to being the first landing point for European immigrants, and remains so due to attractions of large cities. The Amazon rainforest and Sahara desert are sparsely populated due to challenging climates, lack of infrastructure, and few economic opportunities.

1. Population distribution Why do people live where they do?

2. World population distribution. The most densely populated areas are shown in red and pink (more than 100 people per km2) The most sparsely populated areas are shown in white. (fewer than 2 people per km2) But why?

3. World population distribution. Western Europe is densely populated . With it’s temperate climate (no extremes of hot and cold) and fertile land it is ideal for growing crops and rearing animals. There are good communications and many large cities with many job opportunities eg. London-which also has entertainment, good health care and education. In addition the countries of Western Europe have political and religious freedom and non-oppressive regimes- making it an attractive place for people to live.

4. World population distribution. Bangladesh is very densely populated (over 500 people per km2 .) Bangladesh has rich, fertile soil which is ideal for agriculture . The soil is made fertile from flood deposits from the Rivers Ganges, Megna and Brahmaputra. With over 2000mm of rain p.a. and annual temperatures in excess of 20 C the climate is also ideal for rice growing as there is a long growing season . Bangladesh is also flat (as it is a delta) which makes land easy to build on and cultivate.

5. World population distribution. The Eastern Seaboard- The East Coast of the U.S.A around cities like New York are very densely populated. This is as much about history as it is for the present day. When the U.S.A was discovered and people emigrated from Europe to the Americas, this is the first place they arrived , and many decided to settle permanently. Add to that all the typical attractions of a large city such as New York, the high population density is easily explained.

6. World population distribution. The Amazon rainforest is very sparsely populated . With it’s dense forest (difficult to clear and build), humid conditions (over 30C and 2000mm of rain a year) and poor accessibility (few roads, many villages accessible only by river) and lack of job opportunities, schools and formal health care all explain why the area is so sparsely populated.

7. World population distribution. The Sahara desert is sparsely populated . With constantly hot temperatures (+40C ) during the day, and very little rainfall (1mm a year at Aswan in Egypt ) the Sahara’s climate is difficult for people to live with. There is no soil- therefore agriculture cannot take place and with a limited water supply it is difficult for human life to survive. The sand drifts in sand storms . It is also very isolated , with poor communications, limited accommodation, few job opportunities- all of which fail to encourage people to live in a particular place.