Geography Paper 2 WASSCE (PC 2ND), 2018

Question 3

 

  1. Define the following terms associated with population:
    1. census;
    2. density;
    3. death rate.
  2. The total population of Country B in the year 2000 was 4 million. If the land area of Country B is 400,000 km2, calculate the population density of Country B.
  3. Highlight five advantages of the population density calculated in (b) on the economy of Country B

 

Observation

The question was popular among the candidates but not many of the candidates could correctly define census, density and death rate as they relate to population. The expected answers are:


(i) Census
The process of counting, evaluating and analyzing data on people in an area at a particular time.               

(ii) Density
The number of people living in an area per square kilometre.

(iii) Death rate
The number of natural deaths every year per 1,000 people in a population.                                                                                                                                                               
The calculation of the population density of country B
Total population of country B=4,000, 000
Land area of country B=400,000Km²
Population density is calculated: =Total population /Total land area

4000000/400000=10 persons perkm²


Advantages of the population density of country B to its economy
10 people per km is a low population density area. The advantages of the population density are:

  • potential arable land may be available for use
  • less crowd
  • social cohesion
  • low level of crime
  • low environmental pollution
  • abundant resources
  • ease of planning