Population density refers to the number of inhabitants per unit of area.
In order to know the meaning of the term population density , first of all, we are going to proceed to discover the etymological origin of the two main words that give it shape:
– Density derives from Latin, specifically, from “densitas”, which can be translated as “dense quality”. It is the result of the sum of two components: the adjective “densus”, which means “dense”, and the suffix “-dad”, which is used to indicate “quality”.
– Population , on the other hand, also comes from Latin. In your case, it is the result of the union of the noun “populus”, which is synonymous with “people”, and the suffix “-cion”, which is used to indicate “action and effect”.
The idea of population density is used to name the number of individuals that live per unit of area . It is the average number of people in a region or country that exists in relation to a certain surface unit.
How population density is measured
Generally, population density refers to the average number of subjects residing in a square kilometer of territory . The calculation formula to obtain population density consists of dividing the total population by the territorial area .
If 40,000 people live in a city that has an area of 10 square kilometers , the population density of said locality is 4,000 inhabitants/square kilometer . This means that, on average, 4,000 people live in each square kilometer of surface area.
When population density is high, available resources are usually scarce.
Differences depending on the area
Urban areas usually have a higher population density than rural areas . This is because in urban areas there is usually high construction (buildings), while in rural regions most of the land is used for crops or livestock.
The smallest countries , on the other hand, tend to be those with the highest population density: the lack of territory means that the inhabitants have to live very close to each other. In countries with larger areas, the distances are usually greater.
Among the countries with the highest population density we find Singapore, Macau, Barbados, Malta, Bangladesh, Maldives and Monaco. On the contrary, among those with a lower population density are Mongolia, Australia, Iceland, Namibia, Suriname, Botswana, Canada, Guyana, Mauritania and Libya.
From high to low population density
The main problems faced by territories with a high population density are the scarcity of resources, the difficulty in finding everything from housing to a job, including marginalization or crime, for example.
The causes of low population density in some areas may be due to their meteorological conditions, that is, the climate. However, another important reason may be the lack of resources they have both in terms of work and food.