Population is defined as the number of people living in an area at a particular time. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with a population of over 150 million people.
POPULATION CONCEPTS
A. Over population: This is a situation when a country has more people than its physical and human resources can accommodate. Here, the population exceeds the available resources of the country.
B. Under population: This is a situation when a country has less people than its physical and human resources can accommodate. Here, the population is less than the available resources of the country.
C. Optimum population: This is a population which is neither too small nor great, but when combined with the available resources and given the level of existing technology secures a maximum return per head.
EVALUATION
1. Define population.
2. Differentiate between over population and under population.
Population Density
This refers to the number of persons per square kilometer of land. The population density of a country can be expressed mathematically as
Total Population
Population density = Land Area
Total population = Population density/Total Population x Total land area
Land Area = population density
Example: calculate the population density of Nigeria, having a total population of 88,514,501 with a total land area of 923,768 sq km.
Solution:
Total Population = 88,514,501
Total land area = 923,768 km
Total population
Population density = Total land area
= 88,514,501
923,768
= 96 person / km2
EVALUATION
Explain population density.
DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION IN NIGERIA
The population of Nigeria is not evenly distributed. There are areas of high, moderate and low population densities.
A. Areas of high population densities (i.e. above 96 /km2 )
– The Yoruba Land (Lagos, Ibadan, Akure and Abeokuta)
– The Hausa land (Kano, Kaduna, Jos and Sokoto)
– The Ibo Land (Enugu, Onitsha, Owerri and Aba)
Reason For High Population Density
1. Favourable Climate 2. Fertile Soil
3. Natural attachment / Historical factors
4. Administrative headquarters 5. Employment opportunities
6. Presence of minerals 7. Presence of industries
8. Presence of social amenities 9. Commercial activities.
Advantages of High Population Densities
1. Large labour force for industries 2. Large market for goods
3. Togetherness 4. Quick dissemination of information
5. Defence.
Disadvantages of High Population Density
1. Traffic congestion 2. Pressure on social amenities
3. Inadequate health services 4. Environmental pollution
5. Insufficient food 6. Increase in crime rate
7. Pressure on natural resources 8. Unemployment / Underemployment
10. Development of slums and ghettos.
B. Areas of Moderate Population Densities in Nigeria
– Benin city – Bauchi
– Ilorin – Dutse
– Kaduna – Uyo
– Calabar – Owerri
– Bauchi – etc
C. Areas of Low Population Densities (i.e below 96 persons /km2)
– The middle belt (Kwara, Kogi, Benue, Niger and Abuja)
– The Niger delta area
– The extreme north east Bornu and Yobe States.
Reasons For Low Population Densities
1. Relief especially the presence of rugged relief. 2. Drainage i.e. the presence of rivers
3. Unfavourable climate 4. Poor soils
5. Historical factors e.g. the trans-Sahara slave trade aided the depopulation of the middle belt.
6. Presence of some insects 7. Low economic activities
8. Inaccessibility
Advantages of Low population
1. Abundant resources 2. Low crime rate
3. Adequate planning 4. Regular flow of traffic
5. High per capital income 6. High standard of living
7. Low pressure on solid amenities
Disadvantages of Low Population
1. Inadequate labour force 2. Under-utilization of infrastructures
3. Deterioration of infrastructures 4. Wastage of output
5. Low output 6. Disincentive to government.
EVALUATION
1. Mention areas of high population density in Nigeria.
2. Give reasons for such high population in the areas mentioned above.
GENERAL EVALUATION QUESTIONS
1. Define population.
2. Describe the population size of Nigeria.
3. Explain the population distribution in Nigeria.
4. State advantages of low population.
5. What are the disadvantages of high population?
READING ASSIGNMENT
Essential Geography, O.A. Iwena Pages 251-254.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. The type of population that may result to high crime rate is (a) Over population
(b) Optimum population (c) Under population (d) None of the above
2. Which of these States is an area of low population density (a) Lagos (b) Abuja (c) Benin City
(d) Aba
3. The following are effects of low population density except (a) wastage of output
(b) traffic congestion (c) high per capital income (d) low crime rate
4. All the following can cause the population of a place to grow except
(a) Employment opportunities (b) Presence of mineral deposit (c) Poor soils
(d) Favourable climate
5. The most populous country in West Africa is (a) Mali (b) Mauritania (c) Ghana (d) Nigeria
THEORY
Draw a sketch map of Nigeria and on it, mark and name:
(i) One area of high population density
(ii) One area of low population density
(iii) One town in each area shown
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