5.1 Where do we live?

• Aardrijkskunde
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

Where do we live?

Aims

After studying this section you are able to:

• Describe how people are distributed over the world.
• Explain why certain places are more populated than others.

Where do most people live?

How many people are there in the world today?

In the Netherlands 17,000,000 people live on a surface area of 41,500 km2. Calculate the population density and show your calculation!

Sparsely populated area

Densely populated area

India

Densely populated areas are growing for economic reasons.

• In LEDCs people move from the countryside to the cities to find work.
• Cities are often situated in coastal regions for trade.

• What does the map say about population density?
  
• What does it say about population distribution?

What are reasons for people
to live in a certain place?

What are reasons for people
NOT to live in a certain place?

The area at letter A has... 

Click to make the maps larger

A low population density, because it is in the mountains.

A high population density because there is a river and it's flat.

A low population density, because it is very cold there.

A high population density, because it is along the sea and there are mountains.

The area at letter B has... 

Click to make the maps larger

A low population density, because there are high mountains here.

A high population density because there is a good climate for agriculture.

A low population density, because it is very cold there and it is far away from other cities.

A high population density, because Norway is a rich country.

The area at letter C has... 

Click to make the maps larger

A low population density, because it is in the mountains.

A high population density because there is a river and it's flat.

A low population density, because it is very dry there.

A high population density, because it has a good climate for agriculture.

Push and Pull factors

Push = Reasons why a person wants to LEAVE a certain place

Pull = Reasons why a person wants to GO to a certain place

Julie has lived in Zwolle for 25 years already. Many of her friends live there too.   But lately she's doubting about moving away. The city is noisy,   and the air is polluted. She would like to have a bigger yard and those houses are too expensive  in Zwolle. 

She's doubting about moving to Zalk. She's seen a nice house with a big yard.   
It is nice and quiet    there. But her friend will be far away    , and her job too.   In Zwolle she liked that the supermarket and the movie theater were close by too

She hasn't made a choice yet. 

Push factors

Pull factors

those houses are too expensive

supermarket and the movie theater were close by too.

friends will be far away

her job too

nice and quiet

nice house with a big yard.

the air is polluted.

The city is noisy

Many of her friends live there too.