- this is the process of distribution of the population over the territory and the formation of a network of settlements. Its character is influenced by four groups of factors:

• socio-economic (general level of economic development, regional differences in the location of sectors of the economy, incomes of the population, volumes of investment, etc.);
• natural (climate, relief, soil, availability, etc.);
• demographic (intensity of mechanical and natural movement of the population);
• historical factor (influence on the resettlement of historical conditions).

The main features of the population distribution

The distribution of the population reflects the result of the process of population resettlement for a specific period of time.

The people on the planet are extremely unevenly settled.

More than two-thirds of humanity is concentrated on about 8% of the land area, and about 10% of it is still uninhabited (, almost all, etc.).

Other features of the distribution of the population on Earth are as follows: 72% of the population lives in - the area of ​​origin and formation of man, 60% of the population - in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere; more than half of the people are concentrated in the lowlands (up to 200 m above sea level), although the latter make up less than 30% of the land. The population is, as it were, "shifted" to the sea - almost 1/3 of the people live at a distance of no more than 50 km from the sea (this strip occupies 12% of the land).

The distribution of population across regions of the world is uneven. 3/5 of it falls on , 13.5% - , another 12% - on , and the rest of the regions in total - less than 15% Over the past decades, the share of Asia, Africa and the entire population of the world has constantly increased, Oceania has been stable , and Europe and - has been steadily declining.

Now only 1/5 of the world's population lives in economically highly developed countries, including 11.4% in the top 7 (, Germany, and), and 4/5 in developing countries.

60% of humanity is concentrated in the ten largest states with a population of more than 100 million in each, and almost 15% in eleven countries with a population of 50 to 100 million people. Thus, there is a very high territorial concentration of the population. However, the vast majority of countries have less than 10 million inhabitants, and many have less than 1 million. The highest proportion of sparsely populated countries is in Africa, Oceania and Central America. Examples of states with a very small population are (1 thousand inhabitants) and Pitcairn Island (a British colony in Polynesia), where the population is less than 100 people.

The degree of population and economic development of the territory is often determined by the indicator - the number of inhabitants per 1 km2. Its average value in the world is 45 people per 1 km2. However, at the same time, according to available estimates, for half of the land population density is less than 1 person per 1 km2, and for 1/4 - it ranges from 1 to 10 people per 1 km2.

There are 6 regions on the globe with the highest population density (over 100 people per 1 km2):

1. East Asian (East China, Japan, Republic of Korea).
2. South Asian (Indo-Gangetic lowland, South India.
3. Southeast Asian ( , Vietnam, ).
4. European (Europe without its northern part).
5. Northeastern region of the USA.
6. West African region (Nile valley and lower reaches - countries: Nigeria,).

In addition, there are areas with high population density in - some coastal areas in and.

The most densely populated countries in the world include (930 people per 1 km2), and - 330 - 395 people per 1 km2.

High population density is most often associated with the development of industry and cities, in which it often reaches several thousand and even tens of thousands of people per 1 km2. However, among densely populated countries there are both industrial, highly urbanized countries (Great Britain, Belgium, Germany) and agrarian countries with a sharp preponderance of the rural population (India, Indonesia, Bangladesh). The situation is similar among sparsely populated states, which include both highly developed countries -

Placement of the population.

Most fully characterizes population distribution across the country, such an indicator as population density . To date, the average population density of Belarus is 46 people per 1 km 2, but in different regions of the country it has significant fluctuations (Fig. 94). Among the regions, the Minsk region (together with Minsk) has the highest population density (81 people / km 2), and the lowest - Vitebsk (31 people / km 2). The highest density of the rural population falls on the most agriculturally developed territories of the Belarusian Ridge and the plains adjacent to it, as well as in areas around large cities.

In the process of settling the territory within its boundaries, a certain system of settlement is gradually formed, which consists of a network of settlements where the production and consumption of material and spiritual values ​​is concentrated. Each settlement is characterized by a peculiar geographical location, number of inhabitants, economic functions and planning. There are various connections between settlements (labor, production, trade, cultural, etc.).

The settlement system in Belarus was formed gradually over a long period of time. The first permanent settlements were rural settlements, whose inhabitants were engaged in agricultural activities. concentration in certain
non-agricultural populations led to the emergence of urban settlements. The first cities on the territory of Belarus ( Polotsk- 9th century, Zaslavl, Turov - 10th century, Braslav, Brest, Vitebsk, Drutsk, Kopys, Logoisk, Lukoml, Minsk, Orsha, Pinsk- XI century) arose at the intersection of roads, on the banks of rivers and lakes used as transport routes (Fig. 95). Many Belarusian cities developed from fortified settlements, feudal castles, frontier fortresses. Many of them have now moved into the category of villages or have become urban settlements. The time of the founding of the city is considered to be its mention in the annals, although most of the cities already existed earlier. Ancient cities developed on the basis of radial-ring and radial-fan planning systems.

Today in Belarus, the leading place in the system of settlement is occupied by cities, which, depending on the population and economic potential, influence the development of other settlements (in other words: manage them).

In Belarus in the second half of the twentieth century. new, young cities have appeared, but there are not many of them. They grew up on the site of small villages Zhodino, Novolukoml, Novopolotsk, Soligorsk and Svetlogorsk(Fig. 96). In architectural terms, young cities are distinguished by high-rise buildings, the presence of a city center and microdistricts, and a high degree of improvement.

96. Svetlogorsk

Modern urban settlements in Belarus, in addition to cities, are further subdivided into urban-type settlements, workers and resort villages . They differ in population size, economic and geographical position, and economic functions. Medium cities of Belarus (20-100 thousand inhabitants) make up about 12% of the number of urban settlements, but more than 1/5 of the country's citizens live in them. All of them arose quite a long time ago, which led to the formation in them of a peculiar architectural and planning structure and historical and cultural values ​​(Fig. 97). The main problems of development so far are: population decline, insufficiently efficient use of production and infrastructure potentials, the presence of unprofitable or unstable city-forming enterprises. The industrial and cultural potential of medium-sized cities contributes to their accelerated development.

97. Kobrin

Functional types of urban settlements. Depending on the functions performed, cities are divided into 8 types:

1) comprehensively developed (Minsk and regional centers - Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno, Mogilev);

2) multifunctional ( Baranovichi, Bobruisk, Zhlobin, Lida, Molodechno, Orsha, Polotsk, Slonim);

3) industrial cities ( Borisov, Zhodino, Kobrin, Mozyr, Novopolotsk, Pinsk, Rechitsa, Svetlogorsk, Slutsk, Soligorsk, etc.);

4) mainly transport centers (Kalinkovichi, Luninets, Osipovichi);

5) industrial and administrative centers of rural areas (Glubokoye, Novogrudok, Pruzhany, Rogachev, Smorgon, etc.);

6) administrative and economic centers of districts (Volozhin, Lepel, Braslav, Smolevichi, etc.);

7) cultural and community services for the rural population (David-Gorodok, Vasilevichi, Turov, etc.);

8) scientific centers (Gorki).

Urban settlements on the territory of Belarus are distributed more or less evenly. Among them, first of all, it is necessary to single out the settlements located along transport corridors in the form of chains or groups. Most Belarusian cities are located on the banks of rivers and lakes, many are located at the intersection of rivers and railways, near mineral deposits, some are close or, conversely, far from industrial centers, railways and highways.

rural settlement. The rural population on the territory of Belarus is distributed unevenly, since its density largely depends on natural and economic conditions. It is highest in places with the best conditions for agricultural development of the territory. Where there is a high degree of forest cover and swampiness, a high level of contamination with radionuclides, the density of the rural population is much less.

Traditionally, on the territory of Belarus there were such types of rural settlements as villages, villages,farms. During the Soviet period, some of the previously traditional types (dungeons, farmsteads, estates) disappeared, and the number of farms and small villages was significantly reduced. Many small villages merged into larger ones. In economically strong collective farms and in reclaimed territories, a new type of settlements arose with a fairly high level of service and improvement - rural settlements, which have many features of urban settlements (Snov, Vertelishki, Myshkovichi, Zhemchuzhny, Loshnitsa, etc.). In the suburban areas of large cities, many rural settlements of a mixed type have arisen, where a significant part of the population works outside of agriculture. There are also non-agricultural rural settlements near industrial, transport, health and other enterprises and institutions. Since 2005, 1481 rural settlements of a new type have been created agricultural town . In agro-towns, living conditions are as close as possible to urban ones.

Important indicators of the characteristics of rural settlement are the size of settlements in terms of the number of inhabitants and the density of rural settlements per 100 km2. The first of them on the territory of Belarus in the direction from north to south increases, and the second, on the contrary, decreases. (How can one explain such changes in indicators across the territory?)

After the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, more than 2 million residents of Belarus ended up on the territory contaminated with radionuclides. A significant part of them were relocated to other regions of the country, due to which the 30-kilometer zone near the nuclear power plant in the southeast became deserted for very long years, and a number of settlements where the level of radiation is hazardous to health disappeared from the map of the Gomel and Mogilev regions of people. The district centers of Bragin, Narovlya, Vetka, Chechersk, Korma, and about 350 other settlements are located in a contaminated zone with a high level of radiation.

Bibliography

1. Geography grade 10 / Textbook for grade 10 institutions of general secondary education with the Russian language of instruction / Authors: M. N. Brilevsky- From the Authors, Introduction, § 1-32; G. S. Smolyakov- § 33-63 / Minsk "People's Asveta" 2012

Japan Population Size and Density

The population of Japan according to the UN for $2016 is $127.1 million. The country is dominated by the female population, which accounts for $51.3\%$, the share of the male population is $48.7\%$. The country's population has remained practically unchanged for the past $10$ years, which is explained by a decline in the birth rate and low mortality. Relatively recently, the country was characterized by a high birth rate and a high natural increase. In the $50s, the birth rate dropped sharply, and today the country has moved to the first type of population reproduction with a high life expectancy. The economically active population accounts for $50\%$ of the total, $13\%$ of the population is employed in industry, $20\%$ in agriculture and $40\%$ of the Japanese work in the non-manufacturing sector. The skill level of the country's labor resources is very high.

Japan is $7$ in terms of population, behind China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, the USA, and Russia. A slight increase in the number is due to immigrants, but foreigners are not welcome in the country due to violation of existing laws and regulations, as well as ignorance of Japanese culture. Other nationalities are represented by fractions of a percentage, but even among them, Koreans and Chinese are the largest group. Americans and representatives of European countries, who number up to $40 thousand people in Japan, are not considered permanent residents. The natives of the Japanese islands include the Ainu, who settled in the $11th century on the island of Hokkaido.

Today there are about $20 thousand of them. The Ainu, forced out by the Japanese in the $19th century, lost their best lands, but the older generation still retains its language and culture. Despite the fact that other nationalities live in Japan, the country is one-national and $99\%$ of the population are Japanese.

The population is unevenly distributed throughout the country, although it belongs to densely populated countries. The average density is more than $300$ people. per sq. km. The coastal regions of the country have a high density, more than $500 per person. per sq km, and in the north of Hokkaido the density is only $70$ people. per sq. km. Most of the Japanese - $80\%$ - live in cities, so the level of urbanization is very high. There are $11$ million-plus cities in the country. Only in one metropolitan area Keihin$30 million people live. Agglomerations located on the Pacific coast merge into one megalopolis Tokaido. The length of this megalopolis is $600$ km with a population of $65$ million. A difficult demographic situation is developing in the country. The average age of the Japanese is $44.6. Children and teenagers make up only $13\%$, pensioners $28\%$, people of working age - $64\%$.

Remark 1

Specialists make a forecast for $2050$ and come to the conclusion that the population will decrease to $97 million. Extramarital relations are not welcome in the country, and young people do not seek marriage. It can be assumed that the population of Japan will change little in the next decade.

National features of the Japanese

Japan is often referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun". But, at the same time, it is also the birthplace of samurai, geishas, ​​cherry blossoms and martial arts. The Japanese psychology differs from the psychology of other nations and, against the background of other nations, they have a high life expectancy, a low number of violent crimes, preserved centuries-old traditions with the highest technological and economic development. It is the only state in the world with a formal title Empire. It is possible that all the achievements of modern Japan are connected with the national characteristics of the Japanese.

The most striking national features of the Japanese include:

big industriousness which often turns into workaholism. The Japanese are very devoted to their work and the company in which they work. The firm is their home, so it's normal to stay at work until late at night. Putting their whole soul into the performance of any business, the Japanese "burn out" at work emotionally and physically.

Contemplation of beauty. Admiring the beauty of nature or man-made beauty, while receiving aesthetic pleasure, is an integral part of the psychology of the Japanese. Cherry blossoms, the beauty of the setting sun, Fujiyama volcano cause them moral pleasure and satisfaction. Love for the beautiful caused such areas of Japanese art as ikebana, bonsai, and the tea ceremony.

Loyalty to tradition. The conservative Japanese are in no hurry to adopt the customs and values ​​of other peoples. The continuity of generations is of great importance for them, and hence the great respect for the cultural heritage of their country.

Curiosity and curiosity The Japanese people helped to achieve superiority in the field of technology development. Everything new makes them want to thoroughly study it, transform it for themselves. They know how to take something useful from other cultures without losing their ethnic identity.

The Japanese mentality is characterized collectivism. Throughout their lives, they are attached to different social groups. This can be their own family, the team of the company where they work, the party, etc. Every Japanese clearly knows his place in the hierarchy and is always ready to obey his superiors, they are characterized by humility and humility, so the authority of a father, boss, teacher, policeman is simply undeniable. Strict Japanese etiquette and politeness are based on collectivism, and hence the desire to make life in a team as comfortable as possible.

In Japanese, there are 3 "styles of politeness":

1. Conversational style. It is commonly used when speaking to younger members of the family;
2. Neutral polite style characteristic in conversation with strangers and equals in position;
3. Very polite style- keigo. The style is used with the elderly and seniors in society by position.

The national characteristics of the Japanese were formed under the influence of the traditional religions of the country - Shinto and Buddhism. Religious teachings, their values ​​and prescriptions are part of the worldview of the Japanese people. The virtues of Buddhism are restraint, patience, self-control, and the Japanese strive to develop these character traits in themselves.

In the rules of life, the Japanese also adhere to Buddhist philosophy:

1. The desire to comply with the laws of the country and the rules prescribed in society;
2. Do not rebel, but reconcile with the situation and unpleasant circumstances;
3. Restriction in entertainment and the desire to work more for the good of the nation;
4. In personal troubles, you should only blame yourself.

Parenting

Remark 2

The Japanese system of raising children is very interesting and is sometimes referred to as the famous Japanese courtesy, which manifests itself right from infancy. Japanese children seem to never cry, foreigners are amazed. The reason lies elsewhere. Babies start crying when they want to eat or drink, sleep, experience any inconvenience or are left unattended. Avoiding all of these is part of Japanese upbringing in infancy. During the first two years, the baby is attached to the mother and is part of her, he is with her all day, the child is next to the mother at night, and he receives the breast as soon as he wishes. The kid is not let go even when he starts to walk.

The impulses of the child are not limited and they do not try to accustom him to some kind of routine. From infancy, the child hears warnings from relatives “dangerous”, “dirty”, “bad”. Thus, these warnings as unambiguous enter into his consciousness. The child is not spoiled at all, as it may seem at first glance, he is simply not given a reason to cry. Boys usually do not forbid anything and do not react to the bad behavior of children. Threat of exclusion- one of the methods of Japanese education. Everyone will turn away from you or laugh at you if your behavior is inappropriate - this is how parents teach their children. Such teaching causes fear of being excommunicated from relatives, of being ridiculed or humiliated, and sinks into the soul of the baby from a very early age.

With the first restrictions, children meet at school age. being brought up prudence, the child is taught to beware of those positions in which one can "lose face" both one's own and other people's. A period begins when the child learns to suppress impulses in himself. Accessible children's pampering and free expression of their impulses is no longer appropriate. The child sees in them a kind of evil. Be that as it may, the complete freedom of early childhood leaves an unforgettable mark on the character of a small person. A feeling of shame unknown in childhood and the memory of carefree days give rise to a new look at life in which there is restrictions and concessions. In matters of duty, the Japanese are very demanding of themselves and others and indulgent towards human weaknesses. Virtue for the Japanese is willpower, the ability, for the sake of higher duty, to turn away from pleasures that are not considered evil.

The uneven distribution of the population on Earth is explained by a number of factors.

The influence of the natural factor is manifested:

in the poor development of territories with unfavorable natural conditions for humans (deserts, tundras, tropical forests, polar regions);

in the residence of the main part of the population at an altitude of up to 1000 m above sea level (with 56% of the population concentrated on the plains with a height of up to 200 m, 24% - up to 500 m above sea level);

in the concentration of the population near the sea coast (more than 50% of the population lives within 200 km from the coasts of the seas and oceans);

in the high development of territories with fertile soils and favorable agro-climatic conditions (subtropical, subequatorial and south of the temperate climate zone).

The impact of the historical features of the settlement of the land is manifested in the fact that, according to scientists, the settlement of the Earth occurred from the territories where the modern man was formed, Southwest Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe, through the Old World, then to America and Australia. The time of settlement seriously affected the population of the regions.

Differences in the current demographic situation are associated with the natural increase in the population of individual countries. A striking example is Bangladesh with a high birth rate. The population density of this country is currently more than 750 people/km2.

The impact of socio-economic conditions is associated with the location of industrial zones, transport routes, the development of large mineral deposits that contribute to the concentration of the population.

The population of the country is distributed unevenly across the territory. Its location was influenced by natural, historical and economic factors: areas with favorable natural conditions and territories that were developed earlier are more densely populated, now the population continues to concentrate in areas with a developing economy, along transport routes.

The average population density of the country is about 9 people per 1 km2. However, there are very densely populated regions (Central Russia), where there are more than 100 people per 1 km2, and vast northern taiga regions, where there is practically no population. So, in the vast territory of Russia, located beyond the Urals, only about 30 million people live, and the average population density is 2.5 people per 1 km2.

The main part of the population of Russia is concentrated within the main zone of settlement. The territory of the country was populated from west to east, and therefore the main strip of settlement stretched, gradually narrowing, in this direction. Its border runs in the north along the line Petrozavodsk - Kirov - Perm - Krasnoyarsk, in the south - Astrakhan - Krasnoyarsk. This zone has the most favorable natural conditions, it is characterized by high (average 5 people per 1 km2) population density, a large number of cities.

To the north is the northern zone with a harsh climate, low population density, and a small number of cities.

The geographical division of labor as a consequence of various natural, historical and economic prerequisites for the development of production in Russia.

Different parts of the country have different natural and economic development conditions. Some are rich in minerals, while others are poor; some are densely populated, while others are deserted, that is, the conditions of each territory favor the development of various industries. Naturally, in each part of the country, those industries develop first of all, the conditions for the development of which are most favorable there. The products of these industries begin to be produced there in volumes greater than necessary for local needs. Different parts of the country begin to specialize in the production of certain types of products. The specialization of individual territories in the production of certain types of products and their exchange is called the territorial or geographical division of labor.

The specialization of territories can change as old, long-used deposits are depleted, and, conversely, as new mineral deposits are discovered, transport routes are built, under the influence of scientific and technological progress. For example, in the Volga region, due to favorable natural conditions, a specialization in grain farming was initially formed, but after the discovery of oil fields there, the construction of new transport routes, the region turned into a supplier of products of the chemical industry and mechanical engineering.

The population of the country is distributed unevenly across the territory. Its location was influenced by natural, historical and economic factors: areas with favorable natural conditions and territories that were developed earlier are more densely populated, now the population continues to concentrate in areas with a developing economy, along transport routes.

The average population density of the country is about 9 people per 1 km2. However, there are very densely populated regions (Central Russia), where there are more than 100 people per 1 km2, and vast northern taiga regions, where there is practically no population. So, in the vast territory of Russia, located beyond the Urals, only about 30 million people live, and the average population density is 2.5 people per 1 km2.

The main part of the population of Russia is concentrated within the main zone of settlement. The territory of the country was populated from west to east, and therefore the main strip of settlement stretched, gradually narrowing, in this direction. Its border runs in the north along the line Petrozavodsk - Kirov - Perm - Krasnoyarsk, in the south - Astrakhan - Krasnoyarsk. This zone has the most favorable natural conditions, it is characterized by high (average 5 people per 1 km2) population density, a large number of cities.

To the north is the northern zone with a harsh climate, low population density, and a small number of cities.