Classified / Chapter eight
Human Population
1 The map shows the human population density of the world in 2018.
Tropic of
Cancer
Equator
Tropic of
Capricorn
Key human population
low density
medium density
high density
(a) Describe the distribution of high human population density in 2018 shown on the map.
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(b) Give reasons why some areas of the world have a low population density.
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2. (a) The population of China in 2009 was 1.331 billion and in 2016 it was 1.379 billion.
Calculate the percentage increase in population for China from 2009 to 2016.
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(b) The diagram shows population pyramids for China in 1950, 2015 and the prediction for 2050.
1950 2015 2050
age group male female male female male female
70+
60 – 69
50 – 59
40 – 49
30 – 39
20 – 29
10 – 19
0–9
10 5 0 5 10 10 5 0 5 10 10 5 0 5 10
percentage of total population percentage of total population percentage of total population
(c) China introduced a policy called the one-child policy in 1979. This actively encouraged
families to only have one child.
(i) Suggest why China introduced the one-child policy.
Use the data from the 1950 population pyramid to support your answer.
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(ii) The percentage of the total population aged 20 to 49 years old is higher in the 2015
population pyramid compared with the 1950 population pyramid.
Suggest reasons for this difference.
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(iii) The population pyramid for 2050 is a prediction.
Describe the shape of the predicted population pyramid for 2050.
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(iv) The one-child policy in China ended in 2015.
Explain what the shape of the 2050 population pyramid indicates about the trend in
birthrates in China by 2050.
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(v) Suggest reasons why the actual data for the 2050 population may be different from
thepredicted data.
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(vi) Other than national population policies, describe two strategies for controlling
humanpopulation size.
1 ........................................................................................................................................
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2 ........................................................................................................................................
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[2]
3. (a) The graph shows a population growth curve.
population
size
time
The carrying capacity is the maximum population size of a species that the environment can
support in the long term.
(i) On the graph, label the population growth curve to show:
• the carrying capacity
• the exponential (log) phase
• the lag phase. [3]
(ii) Suggest why the carrying capacity of the environment can change.
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(b) On the axes, sketch the shape of a human population pyramid for a less economically
developed country (LEDC).
age group
female
population in millions
[2]
4. Area of Honduras: 112 090 km2
Population: 9.2 million (in 2019)
Children per woman: 2.61
Life expectancy: 71.3 years
Currency: Honduran lempira (24.4 HNL = 1 USD)
Language: Spanish, local languages
Climate of Honduras: subtropical in the lowlands, temperate in the mountains
Terrain of Honduras: flat coastal areas, mountains in the interior, with fertile valleys
Main economic activities of Honduras: agricultural production, mineral mining and manufacture of
consumer goods
Honduras is a less economically developed country (LEDC). Most sectors of the economy are growing.
Unemployment remains a problem.
Many people have been displaced from rural and coastal areas by natural hazards. They now live in
unplanned (informal) housing near to the capital city, Tegucigalpa, and the city of San Pedro Sula.
a) In 2019, the population of Tegucigalpa was 1.12 million people and the population of
SanPedro Sula was 639 000 people.
Calculate the percentage of the total population of Honduras living in these two cities in 2019.
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5. Bulgaria is a country in Europe.
The graph shows the population of Bulgaria between 1890 and 2015. The graph is incomplete.
10
6
population
/ million 5
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
8 8 9 9 9 9 0 0 0 0
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
9 9 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 0 0 1 1
0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5 0 5
(a) Complete the graph using the information in the table.
population
year
/ million
1890 3.15
1895 3.30
1900 3.75
[2]
(ii) Describe the trends in the population of Bulgaria between 1890 and 2015.
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(b) Bulgaria is a more economically developed country (MEDC).
Which population pyramid, A, B or C, best represents the population of Bulgaria in 2016?
A age group B age group
male female male female
population population
C
age
group
male female
population
population pyramid……………. [1]
6. Area of Senegal: 196 722 km2
Population of Senegal: 15.9 million (in 2018)
Children per woman: 4.28
Life expectancy: 62.1 years
Currency: 617 XOF = 1 USD
Languages: French, local languages
Climate of Senegal: tropical in the south, drier in the north, rainy season May to November
Terrain of Senegal: low rolling plains, hills in the south east
Main economic activities: agricultural production, fishing, phosphate mining, oil refining, gold mining
Senegal is a less economically developed country (LEDC) with a rapidly increasing population. 60%of the
population is under the age of 25. The government are investing in infrastructure projects and encouraging
export businesses. Unemployment remains widespread.
(a) (i) In Senegal, 75% of the population are involved in agriculture.
Calculate the number of people in Senegal involved in agriculture in 2018.
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(ii) Describe the shape of the population pyramid for Senegal. You can sketch a
population pyramid to help your answer.
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(b) (i) In Senegal, 2% of the population are involved in coastal fishing.
Calculate the number of people in Senegal involved in coastal fishing in 2018.
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(ii) Senegal has a rapidly increasing population.
Describe factors that cause changes in human population.
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(iii) Explain why the proportion of the population of Senegal under the age of 25 is likely tocontinue to
increase.
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(iv) Only 30% of the crops grown in Senegal are consumed in the country.
Suggest what happens to the remaining 70% of crops grown in Senegal.
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(v) Suggest reasons why it is a risk to the population of Senegal to rely on only 30% of thecountry’s crops.
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(vi) Improved health and education are the best ways to manage the population size of a country.’How far do you
agree with this statement? Use examples to support your answer.
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