1 Population Distribution: where people like to live or settle? By people we mean groups or populations – not individual families

2 Four Factors Influence Distribution & Settlement: 1.Water – rivers, coastal areas, lakes 2.Fertile Soil - landforms – to grow crops 3.Mild Climates – for longer growing seasons: more crops 4.Natural Resources – like trees, minerals, access to fresh water

3 Early Civilizations Are Found where factors combine

4 #1 - Access to Water Rivers, lakes, coastal areas Natural roads for trade and travel Drinking Water Water for Crops Food from the water

5 Yangtze River in China

6 #2 - Fertile Soil & Landforms Grow food easily Grow larger quantities of food River Valleys Flat land - plains Easy to build shelters

7 Fertile Soil

8 #3 - Mild Climate Types Snow is rare in Mild Climate Types Precipitation is moderately high Subgroups are: –Mediterranean –Humid Subtropical –Marine West Coast

9 Mild Climates Longer growing seasons Multiple growing seasons Mild climates have the most varied crops Easier to raise animals

10 #4 - Natural Resources Forests for building shelters and homes Forests provided fuel Fresh Water important Supply of fish for food Minerals to make products Natural Resources are useful for trade

11 Areas With Lower Populations Poor Soil Mountains and Highlands Cold Climates Areas with few natural resources Areas that are hot & dry

12 Fertile Crescent

13 The Nile River Valley

14 Indus River Valley of India and Pakistan

15 Density & Distribution Distribution is how population is spread over an area – densely or sparsely Density is the average number of people in a given area – usually expressed as per mile Density is always a number New York City Housing

16 World Population Distribution

17 Canada’s Population Distribution

18 U.S. Population Density the darkest areas have the highest population densities

19 Other Areas generally less densely populated Some populations developed in other areas –Mountains –Deserts –Cold climates –Lack of Resources Inuit People of the Arctic

20 Often One Negative Factor is Present but is offset by other positive factors Aztec Civilizations of the Mexican Highlands

21 Living in the Desert People adapt to their environment Population Density is low Raising of animals who are adapted to the environment In the Sahara Desert