Detailed Summary
The people of any country are its true wealth, as they are the resource that shapes policies and utilizes other resources. Understanding population dynamics, including the number of men, women, and children, births, deaths, and literacy rates, provides immense insights into a country's socio-economic conditions.
At the dawn of the 21st century, the global population exceeded 6 billion, but its distribution and density are not uniform. George B. Cressey noted that in Asia, many areas are sparsely populated, contrasted with a few where population density is extraordinarily high.
Population distribution refers to how people are spaced across the planet, indicating that 90% of the world resides within just 10% of its land area. Six Asia countries contribute significantly to this number, highlighting the need to identify and understand these populous regions.
The section elaborates on population density, defined as the number of people per unit area, influenced by factors like climate, soil fertility, industrial opportunities, and urbanization. It explains how specific climatic conditions and soil types impact habitation patterns and agricultural potential. For example, regions with favorable climates and fertile soils are densely populated, whereas areas characterized by extreme climates or poor soils tend to be sparsely populated.
Furthermore, the section discusses the demographic transition theory, illustrating how societies evolve from high fertility and mortality stages to lower rates as they develop economically and socially. This shift modifies population growth, which is affected by births, deaths, and migration—the three components of population change. Understanding migration factors, termed 'push' and 'pull' factors, aids in grasping why people move from one region to another. The importance of these dynamics emphasizes that the stability and growth of population are pivotal for sustainable development.