Unit I

Unit I Unit I Unit I Unit I Unit I Chapter POPULATION Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition The people are very important component of a country. India is the second most populous country after China in the world with its total population of , million ( ). India’s population is larger than the total population of North America, South America and Australia put together. More often, it is argued that such a large population invariably puts pressure on its limited resources and is also responsible for many socio-economic problems in the country. How do you perceive the idea of India? Is it simply a territory? Does this signify an amalgam of people? Is it a territory inhabited by people living under certain institutions of governance? In this chapter, we will discuss the patterns of distribution, density, growth and composition of India’s population. Sources of Population Data Sources of Population Data Sources of Population Data Sources of Population Data Sources of Population Data Population data are collected through Census operation held every years in our country. The first population Census in India was conducted in but its first complete Census was conducted only in . Distrib Distrib Distrib Distrib Distribution of ution of ution of ution of ution of P P P P Popula opula opula opula opulation tion tion tion tion Examine Fig. . and try to describe the patterns of spatial distribution of population shown on it. It is clear that India has a highly uneven pattern of population distribution. The percentage shares of population of the states and Union Territories in the country (Appendix) show that Uttar Pradesh has the highest population followed by Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal. Looking at the data in Appendix i, arrange the Indian States and Union Territories according to their sizes and population and find out : Reprint -