Biographies Characteristics Analysis

Which country has the highest population density? World population density

Humanity is distributed over the earth's surface extremely unevenly. In order to be able to compare the degree of population of different regions, an indicator such as population density is used. This concept connects a person and his environment into a single whole, is one of the key geographical terms.

Population density measures how many people live in each square kilometer of a territory. Depending on the specific conditions, the value can vary greatly.

The world average is about 50 people/km2. If we do not take into account the ice-covered Antarctica, then it will be approximately 56 people / km 2.

World population density

Since ancient times, mankind has been more actively populating territories with favorable natural conditions. This is a flat relief, a warm and fairly humid climate, fertile soils, and the availability of sources of drinking water.

In addition to natural factors, the distribution of the population is influenced by the history of development and economic reasons. Territories inhabited by man earlier are usually denser than areas of new development. Where labor-intensive branches of agriculture or industry develop, the population density is greater. "Attract" people and developed deposits of oil, gas, other minerals, transport routes: railways and roads, navigable rivers, canals, coasts of non-freezing seas.

The actual population density of the countries of the world proves the influence of these conditions. The most populous are small states. The leader can be called Monaco with a density of 18680 people / km 2. Countries such as Singapore, Malta, Maldives, Barbados, Mauritius and San Marino (7605, 1430, 1360, 665, 635 and 515 people / km 2, respectively), in addition to a favorable climate, also have an exceptionally convenient transport and geographical position. This led to the flourishing of international trade and tourism in them. Bahrain stands apart (1720 people / km 2), developing due to oil production. And the Vatican, which is in 3rd place in this rating, has a population density of 1913 people / km 2, not due to the large number, but to a small area, which is only 0.44 km 2.

Among large countries, Bangladesh has been the leader in terms of density for ten years (about 1200 people / km 2). The main reason is the development of rice cultivation in this country. This is a very labor-intensive industry, so a lot of labor is required.

The most "spacious" territories

If we consider the density of the world's population by country, we can single out another pole - sparsely populated areas of the world. Such territories occupy more than ½ of the land area.

Rare is the population along the shores of the Arctic seas, including the subpolar islands (Iceland - a little over 3 people / km 2). The reason is the harsh climate.

The desert regions of North (Mauritania, Libya - a little more than 3 people / km 2) and South Africa (Namibia - 2.6, Botswana - less than 3.5 people / km 2), the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia (in Mongolia - 2 people / km 2), Western and Central Australia. The main factor is poor hydration. With enough water, the population density immediately increases, as can be seen in the oases.

The sparsely populated areas include rainforests in South America (Suriname, Guyana - 3 and 3.6 people / km 2, respectively).

And Canada, with its Arctic archipelago and northern forests, has become the most sparsely populated among the giant countries.

There are no permanent residents on the whole mainland - Antarctica.

Regional differences

The average population density of the countries of the world does not give a complete picture of the distribution of people. Within countries there can be significant differences in the degree of development. A textbook example is Egypt. The average density in the country is 87 people / km 2, but 99% of the inhabitants are concentrated on 5.5% of the territory in the valley and delta of the Nile. In desert areas, each person has several square kilometers of area.

In the southeast of Canada, the density can be above 100 people/km 2, and in the province of Nunavut - less than 1 person/km 2.

There is an order of magnitude greater difference in Brazil between the industrial southeast and the hinterland of the Amazon.

In highly developed Germany there is a cluster of population in the form of the Ruhr-Rhine region, in which the density is more than 1000 people / km 2, and the average for the country is 236 people / km 2. Such a picture is observed in most large states, where natural and economic conditions differ in different parts.

How are things in Russia?

Considering the density of the world's population by country, one cannot ignore Russia. We have a very large contrast in the placement of people. The average density is about 8.5 people / km 2. This is 181 places in the world. 80% of the country's inhabitants are concentrated in the so-called Main Settlement Zone (south of the Arkhangelsk-Khabarovsk line) with a density of 50 people/km2. The strip occupies less than 20% of the territory.

The European and Asian parts of Russia differ sharply from each other. The northern archipelagos are almost uninhabited. You can also name the vast expanses of the taiga, where hundreds of kilometers can be from one dwelling to another.

Urban agglomerations

Usually in rural areas the density is not that high. But large cities and agglomerations are places of extremely high concentration of the population. This is due to the high-rise buildings, and the huge number of enterprises and jobs.

The population density of the world's cities also varies. Tops the list of the "closest" agglomerations of Mumbai (more than 20 thousand people per sq. km). In second place is Tokyo with 4,400 people/km 2 , and in third place are Shanghai and Jakarta, yielding only slightly. The most populous cities also include Karachi, Istanbul, Manila, Dhaka, Delhi, Buenos Aires. Moscow is on the same list with 8,000 people/km2.

You can clearly imagine the population density of the countries of the world not only with the help of maps, but also with night photographs of the Earth from space. The underdeveloped territories on them will remain dark. And the brighter the area on the earth's surface is illuminated, the denser it is populated.

The concept of population density

According to experts, at the end of 2017, 7.5 billion people lived on the planet.

The main number of people live within the temperate, subtropical, subequatorial zones. Low-lying territories up to 500 m high and the coasts of the seas and oceans are much better populated than other regions of the planet.

Areas not developed by man occupy 15% of the land. These areas have extreme natural conditions and are not inhabited by people.

On the territory of the Earth's surface, people are distributed unevenly - 86% of the population lives in the Eastern Hemisphere, while only 14% live in the Western Hemisphere.

90% of the population is concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, and only 10% in the Southern Hemisphere.

Figure 1. World population density. Author24 - online exchange of student papers

On the continents, the population is also not constant and changes over time. Antarctica has no permanent population.

The degree of population and development of the territory, the intensity of economic activity of people and the territorial structure of the economy, is its density, which is the main indicator of the distribution of the population.

Definition 1

Population density shows how many people live per square meter. km of a given area.

The population of the territory is a consequence of the economic development of the country.

The population density of different countries varies significantly, and within the country there may be areas that are sparsely populated or completely unpopulated.

Population density is a dynamic indicator, which is associated with the ongoing processes of population migration.

In recent decades, places with a huge crowd of people have appeared on Earth - these are conurbations where the population is constantly increasing.

Definition 2

Conurbation refers to a group of closely spaced large cities that are interconnected.

One of these conurbations is Boston, located in the United States. There is also a second conurbation, called the California Conurbation.

There are such areas in Germany, Great Britain, Japan.

The existing differences between regions in the rate of population growth are changing the population map of the planet very quickly. The current mode of population reproduction, when the birth rate becomes low and the death rate in all regions is gradually decreasing, will lead to the fact that the population density in the countries will not increase, but will remain at the same level.

In terms of density, the countries of the world are divided into 4 types:

  1. countries where the population density is low - 0-2 people per sq. km. km;
  2. countries with an average density of 2-40 people per sq. km. km;
  3. countries, countries with high population density - 40-200 people per sq. km;
  4. countries with a maximum population density of more than 200 people per sq. km.

Remark 1

To date, the most populated regions of the planet are East, South, Southeast Asia, Western Europe, Northeast USA.

Factors affecting the resettlement of people

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

First of all, it is a natural and climatic factor, which includes the terrain, the climate of the territory, the availability of fresh water sources, the swampiness of the territory, etc.

The historical factor plays an important role in the settlement - territories that have long been inhabited by man, as a rule, are densely populated.

The demographic factor - in some regions natural population growth is high, in other regions it is low or very low, and hence there are regional differences in population density.

In the last 2-3 centuries, the influence of the economic factor has greatly increased. Large economic regions with a large number of cities, enterprises and infrastructure attract the attention of people because they can find work and provide for their families.

In areas with labour-intensive agriculture and industry, the population density will be much higher.

The population density is also increasing in those areas where mining is taking place, where there are navigable rivers and ice-free seas.

The smallest states of the world - the dwarf states are the most densely populated and the leader here can be called Monaco, where the population density is 18,680 people per square kilometer. km.

High population density is typical for Singapore, Malta, Maldives, Barbados, Mauritius, San Marino and amounts to 7605, respectively; 1360; 665; 515 people per sq. km.

Such a high density is explained by the favorable climate and favorable transport and geographical position.

Bahrain stands in a separate row, the density of which is 1720 people per sq. km. km - the development of the state and the high population density due to oil production.

The reason for the high population density of the dwarf state of the Vatican is 1913 people per square meter. km, is not the population, but a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe territory, which is only 0.44 square meters. km.

Bangladesh has been holding the palm in terms of density among large countries for a decade - 1200 people per square meter. km, the main reason for this density is the development of rice cultivation.

The culture is very labor intensive and requires a large number of laborers.

Of course, there are countries in the world where the population density is low, they are called "spacious" countries. There are a lot of such countries, where for tens or even hundreds of kilometers you will not meet a single person.

The countries with the lowest population densities are Mongolia, Namibia, Australia, Suriname. Iceland, Mauritania, Libya, Botswana, Canada, Guyana, whose average density is 2.0, respectively; 2.6; 2.8; 3.0; 3.1; 3.1; 3.2; 3.4; 3.5; 3.5 people per sq. km.

At any level, the resettlement of people is a reflection of long historical processes of development of society and society. Modern densely populated centers, as a rule, are places of residence of people either in the immediate historical period or in ancient times, as evidenced by archaeological excavations.

For example, modern Berlin is the site of an ancient Slavic settlement, and in the region of Yekaterinburg and Nizhny Tagil, archaeological sites of the Neolithic era were found.

Remark 2

For most territories there were periods of both active settlement and long-term "forgetfulness".

Population density of the largest cities in the world

Not only countries can have high density, but also cities.

The most populated cities on the planet are Shanghai, Karachi, Istanbul, Tokyo, Mumbai, Manila, Buenos Aires, Delhi, Dhaka, Moscow.

One of the most populated cities in the world is China's Shanghai, which had a population of 18.8 million as of January 1, 2009. The city covers an area of ​​6340 sq. km, and hence the population density will be 2683 people per sq. km. km.

Since historical times, the city has been westernized and today it takes on the role of the main center of communication with the West - an information center for the exchange of medical knowledge between Western and Chinese health institutions has been opened in the city.

Karachi became the densely populated city of Pakistan - the economic center and seaport of the country. In the 18th century it was just a fishing village. Becoming a political and economic center, the city began to develop rapidly.

The growth of the urban population was mainly due to the influx of immigrants from outside. The population in 2009 was 18.1 million people, and the area of ​​the city was 3530 square meters. km, hence the population density at that time was 5139 people per sq. km. km.

The former capital of Turkey, Istanbul is the only city in the world located in Europe and Asia. It is very difficult to determine the real boundaries of the city, because. it merges with the city of Izmit, located to the east.

The number of Istanbul is increasing by 5% annually and every 5th inhabitant of the country lives in Istanbul.

The approximate population of the city in 2009 was 16.7 million people, and some Turkish sources say that today's population has reached 20 million people.

The area of ​​the city is 2106 sq. km - population density of 6521 people per sq. km. km.

The capital of Japan - the city of Tokyo is officially one of the prefectures, or rather the capital district. The territory of the city includes part of the island of Honshu, several small islands located to the south, as well as the islands of Izu and Ogasawara.

Tokyo - the largest administrative, financial, cultural, industrial center of the country covers an area of ​​2187 square meters. km, which is home to 15.6 million people, hence the population density in the city is the highest among the prefectures and is 5740 people per square meter. km.

The most populous Indian city, Mumbai, had a population of 13.9 million in 2009. The area of ​​Greater Mumbai is 603.4 square meters. km. Also, the densely populated cities of the world include Manila, Buenos Aires, Delhi, Dhaka, Moscow.

There are cities in the world with a large population. And nothing else if the city occupies a large territory, and the population density in it is small. And if the city has very little land? It happens after all, that the country is small, but around the city there are rocks and the sea? So the city has to build up. At the same time, the population per square kilometer is growing rapidly. The city goes from simple to densely populated. We immediately note that it is population density that is taken into account here, while there are other ratings, where megacities are located by area, number of inhabitants, number of skyscrapers, as well as many other parameters. You can find most of these ratings on LifeGlobe. We will go directly to our list. So what are the biggest cities in the world?

Top 10 most populous cities in the world.

1. Shanghai


Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the largest cities in the world, located in the Yangtze River Delta. One of the four cities of the central subordination of the PRC, an important financial and cultural center of the country, as well as the world's largest seaport. By the beginning of the XX century. Shanghai has evolved from a small fishing town to China's most important city and the world's third financial center after London and New York. In addition, the city became the focus of popular culture, vice, intellectual disputes and political intrigue in Republican China. Shanghai is the financial and commercial center of China. Market reforms in Shanghai began in 1992, a decade later than in the southern provinces. Prior to this, most of the city's income went irrevocably to Beijing. Even after the tax relief in 1992, tax revenues from Shanghai accounted for 20-25% of revenues from all of China (before the 1990s, this figure was about 70%). Today, Shanghai is the largest and most developed city in mainland China. In 2005, Shanghai became the world's largest port in terms of cargo turnover (443 million tons of cargo).



According to the 2000 census, the population of the whole of Shanghai (including the non-urban area) is 16.738 million, this figure also includes temporary residents in Shanghai, whose number is 3.871 million. Since the last census in 1990, the population of Shanghai has increased by 3.396 million or 25.5%. Men make up 51.4% of the city's population, women - 48.6%. Children under 14 years old make up 12.2% of the population, the age group 15-64 years old - 76.3%, the elderly over 65 - 11.5%. 5.4% of Shanghai's population is illiterate. In 2003, there were 13.42 million officially registered residents in Shanghai, and more than 5 million people. live and work informally in Shanghai, of which about 4 million are seasonal workers, mainly from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. The average life expectancy in 2003 was 79.80 years (men - 77.78 years, women - 81.81 years).


Like many other regions in China, Shanghai is experiencing a construction boom. The modern architecture of Shanghai is distinguished by its unique style - in particular, the upper floors of high-rise buildings, occupied by restaurants, are shaped like flying saucers. Most of the buildings under construction in Shanghai today are high-rise residential buildings, varying in height, color and design. Organizations responsible for urban development planning are now increasingly focusing on the creation of green spaces and parks within residential complexes to improve the quality of life of Shanghainese people, which is in line with the slogan of the World Expo 2010 Shanghai: "Better City - Better Life". Historically, Shanghai was very westernized, and now it is again taking on the role of the main center of communication between China and the West. One example of this is the opening of the information center for the exchange of medical knowledge between Western and Chinese health institutions Pac-Med Medical Exchange. Pudong has houses and streets that are very similar to the business and residential areas of modern American and Western European cities. Nearby are major international shopping and hotel areas. Despite the high population density and large number of visitors, Shanghai is known for a very low crime rate towards foreigners.


As of January 1, 2009, the population of Shanghai is 18,884,600, if the area of ​​this city is 6,340 sq. km, and the population density is 2,683 people per sq. km.


2. Karachi


KARACHI, the largest city, the main economic center and seaport of Pakistan, is located near the Indus River Delta, 100 km from its confluence with the Arabian Sea. The administrative center of the province of Sindh. The population in 2004 is 10.89 million people. It arose at the beginning of the 18th century. on the site of the Baloch fishing village Kalachi. From the end of the 18th century under the rulers of Sind from the Talpur dynasty, it was the main Sindh maritime and trading center on the Arabian coast. In 1839 it became a naval base of Great Britain, in 1843-1847 - the capital of the province of Sindh, and then the main city of the region, which was part of the Bombay Presidency. Since 1936 - the capital of the province of Sindh. In 1947-1959 it was the capital of Pakistan. The favorable geographical position of the city, located in a convenient natural harbor, contributed to its rapid growth and development during the colonial period, and especially after the partition of British India into two independent states in 1947 - India and Pakistan.



The transformation of Karachi into the main political and economic center of the country led to a rapid population growth, mainly due to the influx of immigrants from outside: in 1947-1955. from 350 thousand people up to 1.5 million people. Karachi is the largest city in the country and is one of the largest cities in the world. The main trade, economic and financial center of Pakistan, a seaport (15% of GDP and 25% of tax revenues to the budget). About 49% of the country's industrial production is concentrated in Karachi and its suburbs. Plants: a metallurgical plant (the largest in the country, built with the assistance of the USSR, 1975-85), oil refineries, machine-building, car assembly, ship repair, chemical, cement plants, enterprises of the pharmaceutical, tobacco, textile, food (sugar) industries (concentrated in several industrial zones : CITY - Sind Industrial Trading Estate, Landhi, Malir, Korangi, etc. The largest commercial banks, branches of foreign banks, central offices and branches of insurance companies, stock and cotton exchanges, offices of major trading companies (including foreign ones). International Airport (1992) Port of Karachi (handling over 9 million tons per year) serves up to 90% of the country's maritime trade and is the largest port in South Asia.
The largest cultural and scientific center: university, research institutions, Aga Khan University of Medical Sciences, Hamdard Foundation Center for Oriental Medicine, National Museum of Pakistan, Naval Forces Museum. Zoo (in the former City Gardens, 1870). Mausoleum of Qaid-i Azam M. A. Jinnah (1950s), University of Sindh (founded in 1951, M. Ecoshar), Art Center (1960). from local pink limestone and sandstone. The business center of Karachi - Shara-i-Faisal streets, Jinnah Road and Chandrigar Road with buildings mainly of the 19th-20th centuries: the High Court (early 20th century, neoclassical), the Pearl Continental Hotel (1962), architects W. Tabler and Z. Pathan), State Bank (1961, architects J. L. Ricci and A. Kayum). To the northwest of Jinnah Road is the Old Town with narrow streets, one- and two-story houses. In the south - the fashionable area of ​​Clifton, built up mainly with villas. Buildings of the 19th century are also distinguished. in the Indo-Gothic style - Frere Hall (1865) and Express Market (1889). Saddar, Zamzama, Tarik Road are the main shopping streets of the city, where hundreds of shops and shops are located. A significant number of modern high-rise buildings, luxury hotels (Avari, Marriott, Sheraton) and shopping centers.


In 2009, the population of this city is 18,140,625, the area is 3,530 sq. km, the population density is 5,139 people. per km.sq.


3.Istanbul


One of the main reasons for the transformation of Istanbul into a world metropolis was the geographical position of the city. Istanbul, located at the intersection of 48 degrees north latitude and 28 degrees east longitude, is the only city in the world that is located on two continents. Istanbul lies on 14 hills, each of which has its own name, but now we will not bore you with listing them. The following should be noted - the city consists of three unequal parts, into which it is divided by the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn (a small bay 7 km long). On the European side: a historical peninsula located in the south of the Golden Horn, and in the north of the Golden Horn - the districts of Beyolu, Galata, Taksim, Besiktas, on the Asian side - the "New City". On the European continent there are numerous commercial and service centers, on the Asian - mostly residential areas.


Overall, Istanbul, 150 km long and 50 km wide, has an approximate area of ​​7,500 km. But no one knows its true borders, it is about to merge with the city of Izmit in the east. With continuous migration from villages (up to 500,000 per year), the population is intensively increasing. Every year, 1,000 new streets appear in the city, and new residential areas are built up in the west-east axis. The population is constantly increasing by 5% per year, i.e. doubles every 12 years. Every 5 resident of Turkey lives in Istanbul. The number of tourists visiting this marvelous city reaches 1.5 million. The population itself is not exactly known to anyone, officially, according to the latest census, 12 million people lived in the city, although now this figure has increased to 15 million, and some argue that 20 million people already live in Istanbul.


Tradition says that the founder of the city in the 7th century BC. there was a Megarian leader Byzant, to whom the Delphic oracle predicted where it would be better to arrange a new settlement. The place really turned out to be very successful - a cape between two seas - the Black and Marble, half in Europe, half in Asia. In the IV century AD. The Roman emperor Constantine chose the settlement of Byzantium to build the new capital of the empire, which was named Constantinople in his honor. After the fall of Rome in 410, Constantinople finally established itself as the undisputed political center of the empire, which from then on was no longer called Roman, but Byzantine. The city reached its highest prosperity under the emperor Justinian. It was the center of fabulous wealth and incredible luxury. In the 9th century, the population of Constantinople numbered about a million people! The main streets had sidewalks and sheds, they were decorated with fountains and columns. It is believed that a copy of Constantinople architecture is represented by Venice, where bronze horses are installed on the portal of St.
In 2009, the population of this city is 16,767,433, the area is 2,106 sq. km, the population density is 6,521 people. per sq. km


4.Tokyo



Tokyo is the capital of Japan, its administrative, financial, cultural and industrial center. It is located in the southeastern part of the island of Honshu, on the Kanto plain in the bay of the Tokyo Bay of the Pacific Ocean. Area - 2 187 sq. km. Population - 15,570,000 people. The population density is 5,740 people/km2, the highest among the prefectures of Japan.


Officially, Tokyo is not a city, but one of the prefectures, more precisely, the metropolitan area, the only one in this class. Its territory, in addition to part of the island of Honshu, includes several small islands to the south of it, as well as the islands of Izu and Ogasawara. Tokyo District consists of 62 administrative divisions - cities, towns and rural communities. When they say "the city of Tokyo", they usually mean the 23 special districts included in the metropolitan area, which from 1889 to 1943 constituted the administrative unit of the city of Tokyo, and now they themselves are equated in status to cities; each has its own mayor and city council. The metropolitan government is headed by a popularly elected governor. The government headquarters is located in Shinjuku, which is the county's municipal seat. Tokyo is also home to the state government and the Tokyo Imperial Palace (the obsolete name is also used - Tokyo Imperial Castle) - the main residence of the Japanese emperors.


Although the Tokyo area was inhabited by tribes as early as the Stone Age, the city began to play an active role in history relatively recently. In the 12th century, a fort was built here by the local Edo warrior Taro Shigenada. According to tradition, he received the name Edo from his place of residence. In 1457, Ota Dokan, ruler of the Kanto region under the Japanese shogunate, built Edo Castle. In 1590, it was taken over by Ieyasu Tokugawa, the founder of the shogun clan. Thus, Edo became the capital of the shogunate, while Kyoto remained the imperial capital. Ieyasu created long-term management institutions. The city grew rapidly and by the 18th century became one of the largest cities in the world. In 1615, Ieyasu's armies destroyed their opponents - the Toyotomi clan, thereby gaining absolute power for about 250 years. As a result of the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the shogunate came to an end, in September, Emperor Mutsuhito moved the capital here, calling it the "Eastern Capital" - Tokyo. This sparked a debate whether Kyoto could still be the capital. In the second half of the 19th century, industry began to develop rapidly, followed by shipbuilding. The Tokyo-Yokohama railway was built in 1872, and the Kobe-Osaka-Tokyo railway in 1877. Until 1869 the city was called Edo. On September 1, 1923, the largest earthquake (7-9 on the Richter scale) occurred in Tokyo and the surrounding area. Almost half of the city was destroyed, a strong fire broke out. About 90,000 people became victims. Although the reconstruction plan turned out to be very expensive, the city began to partially recover. The city was again seriously damaged during World War II. The city was subjected to massive air attacks. More than 100,000 inhabitants were killed in one raid alone. Many wooden buildings burned down, the old Imperial Palace suffered. After the war, Tokyo was occupied by the military, during the Korean War it became a major military center. Several American bases still remain here (Yokota military base, etc.). In the middle of the 20th century, the country's economy began to rapidly revive (which was described as the "Economic Miracle"), in 1966 it became the second largest economy in the world. The revival from war injuries was proved by the hosting of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where the city showed itself favorably on the international stage. Since the 1970s, Tokyo has been flooded with a wave of labor from rural areas, which led to the further development of the city. By the end of the 1980s, it had become one of the most dynamically developing cities in the world. On March 20, 1995, there was a gas attack on the Tokyo subway using sarin. The attack was carried out by the religious sect Aum Shinrikyo. As a result, more than 5,000 people were injured, 11 of them died. Seismic activity in the Tokyo area has led to discussions about moving Japan's capital to another city. Three candidates have been named: Nasu (300 km north), Higashino (near Nagano, central Japan) and a new city in Mie province, near Nagoya (450 km west of Tokyo). The government's decision has already been received, although no further action is being taken. At present, Tokyo continues to develop. Projects for the creation of artificial islands are being consistently implemented. The most notable project is Odaiba, which is now a major shopping and entertainment center.


5. Mumbai


The history of the emergence of Mumbai - a dynamic modern city, the financial capital of India and the administrative center of the state of Maharashtra - is quite unusual. In 1534, the Sultan of Gujarat ceded a group of seven useless islands to the Portuguese, who, in turn, gave them to the Portuguese princess Catharina of Braganza on her wedding day to King Charles II of England in 1661. In 1668, the British government surrendered the islands leased to the East India Company for 10 pounds of gold a year, and gradually Mumbai grew into a center of trade. In 1853, the first railway line in the subcontinent was laid from Mumbai to Thane, and in 1862, a colossal land management project turned the seven islands into a single whole - Mumbai embarked on the path of becoming the largest metropolis. During its existence, the city changed its name four times, and for those who are not an expert in geography, its former name, Bombay, is more familiar. Mumbai, after the historical name of the area, became known again in 1997. Today it is a lively city with a strong character: the largest industrial and commercial center, it is still actively interested in theater and other arts. Mumbai is also home to India's main film industry, Bollywood.

Mumbai is India's most populous city with a population of 13,922,125 in 2009. Together with satellite cities, it forms the fifth largest urban agglomeration in the world with a population of 21.3 million people. The area occupied by Greater Mumbai is 603.4 square meters. km. The city stretched along the coast of the Arabian Sea for 140 km.


6. Buenos Aires


Buenos Aires is the capital of Argentina, the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country and one of the largest cities in South America.


Buenos Aires is located at a distance of 275 km from the Atlantic Ocean in a well-protected bay of La Plata Bay, on the right bank of the Riachuelo River. The average air temperature in July is +10 degrees, and in January +24. The amount of precipitation in the city is - 987 mm per year. The capital is located in the northeastern part of Argentina, on a flat area, in a subtropical natural zone. The natural vegetation of the surroundings of the city is represented by species of trees and grasses typical of meadow steppes and savannahs. The large Buenos Aires includes 18 suburbs, the total area is 3646 square kilometers.


The population of the Argentine capital proper is 3,050,728 (2009 estimate) people, which is 275 thousand (9.9%) more than it was in 2001 (2,776,138, census). In total, the urban agglomeration, including numerous suburbs immediately adjacent to the capital, is home to 13,356,715 (2009 estimate). Residents of Buenos Aires have a half-joking nickname - porteños (lit. residents of the port). The population of the capital and suburbs is rapidly increasing, including due to the immigration of guest workers from Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru and other neighboring countries. The city is very multiethnic, but the main division of communities occurs along class lines, and not along racial lines, as in the United States. The majority of the population are Spaniards and Italians, descendants of both the settlers of the Spanish colonial period 1550-1815 and the larger wave of European immigrants to Argentina in 1880-1940. About 30% are mestizos and representatives of other nationalities, among which communities stand out: Arabs, Jews, British, Armenians, Japanese, Chinese and Koreans, there is also a large number of immigrants from neighboring countries, primarily from Bolivia and Paraguay, recently from Korea , China and Africa. During the colonial period, groups of Indians, mestizos and Negro slaves were noticeable in the city, gradually dissolving into the southern European population, although their cultural and genetic influences are still felt today. Thus, the genes of modern residents of the capital are quite mixed compared to white Europeans: on average, the genes of the inhabitants of the capital are 71.2% European, 23.5% Indian and 5.3% African. At the same time, depending on the quarter, African impurities vary from 3.5% to 7.0%, and Indian from 14.0% to 33%. . The official language in the capital is Spanish. Other languages ​​- Italian, Portuguese, English, German and French - are now practically out of use as mother tongues due to the mass assimilation of immigrants from the second half of the 19th - early 19th century. XX centuries., but are still taught as foreign. During the period of the mass influx of Italians (especially Neapolitans), a mixed Italian-Spanish sociolect lunfardo spread in the city, gradually disappearing, but leaving traces in the local language variant of the Spanish language (See Spanish in Argentina). Among the believing population of the city, the majority are adherents of Catholicism, a small part of the inhabitants of the capital profess Islam and Judaism, but in general, the level of religiosity is extremely low, as the secular-liberal way of life prevails. The city is divided into 47 administrative districts, the division was originally based on reference to Catholic parishes, and remained so until 1940.


7. Dhaka


The name of the city is formed from the name of the Hindu goddess of fertility Durga or from the name of the tropical tree Dhaka, which gives valuable resin. Dhaka is located on the northern bank of the turbulent Buriganda River almost in the center of the country and looks more like the legendary Babylon than the modern capital. Dhaka is a river port in the delta of the Ganges Brahmaputra, as well as a center for water tourism. Despite the fact that travel by water is quite slow, water transport in the country is well developed, safe and widely used. The oldest section of the city, lying north of the coastline, is an ancient trading center for the Mughal Empire. In the Old City there is an unfinished fortress - Fort LaBad, dating from 1678, which houses the mausoleum of Bibi Pari (1684). It is also worth paying attention to more than 700 mosques, including the famous Hussein Dalan, located in the old City. Now the old City is a vast area between the two main water transport terminals, Sadarghat and Badam Tole, where the experience of observing the daily life of the river is especially charming and interesting. Also in the old part of the city there are traditional large oriental bazaars.


The population of the city is 9,724,976 inhabitants (2006), with suburbs - 12,560 thousand people (2005).


8. Manila


Manila is the capital and main city of the Central Region of the Republic of the Philippines, which occupies the Philippine Islands in the Pacific Ocean. In the west, the islands are washed by the South China Sea, in the north they are adjacent to Taiwan through the Bashi Strait. Located on the island of Luzon (the largest in the archipelago), the metropolis of Manila includes, in addition to Manila itself, four more cities and 13 municipalities. The name of the city comes from two Tagalog (local Filipino) words "may" meaning "to be" and "nilad" - the name of the original settlement located on the banks of the Pasig River and the bay. Before the conquest of Manila by the Spaniards in 1570, Muslim tribes lived on the islands, who were intermediaries in the trade of the Chinese with South Asian merchants. After a fierce struggle, the Spaniards occupied the ruins of Manila, which the natives set on fire to escape the invaders. After 20 years, the Spaniards returned and built defensive structures. In 1595, Manila became the capital of the Archipelago. From that time until the 19th century, Manila was the center of trade between the Philippines and Mexico. With the arrival of Europeans, the Chinese were limited in free trade and repeatedly rebelled against the colonists. In 1898, the Americans invaded the Philippines, and after several years of war, the Spaniards ceded their colony to them. Then the American-Philippine war began, which ended in 1935 with the independence of the islands. During the period of US domination, several enterprises of the light and food industries, oil refineries, and the production of building materials were opened in Manila. During World War II, the Philippines was occupied by the Japanese. The state gained its final independence in 1946. Currently, Manila is the main seaport, financial and industrial center of the country. The plants and factories of the capital produce electrical engineering, chemicals, clothes, foodstuffs, tobacco, etc. The city has several low-priced markets and shopping centers that attract visitors from all over the Republic. In recent years, the role of tourism has been growing.


In 2009, the population of this city is 12,285,000.


9 Delhi


Delhi is the capital of India, a city of 13 million people that most travelers cannot miss. A city in which all the classic Indian contrasts are fully manifested - grandiose temples and dirty slums, bright holidays of life and quiet death in the gateways. A city in which it is difficult for a simple Russian person to live for more than two weeks, after which he will begin to quietly go crazy - incessant movement, general fuss, noise and din, an abundance of dirt and poverty will be a good test for you. Like any city with a thousand-year history, Delhi has many interesting places worth visiting. Most of them are located in two districts of the city - Old and New Delhi, between which there is the Pahar Ganj area, where most independent travelers (Main Bazaar) stop. Among the most interesting sights of Delhi include Jama Masjid Mosque, Lodhi Garden, Humayun Tomb, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Lakshmi Narayana Temple ), the military fortresses of Lal Qila and Purana Qila.


For 2009, the population of this city is 11,954,217


10. Moscow


The city of Moscow is a huge metropolis, consisting of nine administrative districts, which include one hundred and twenty administrative districts, on the territory of Moscow there are many parks, gardens, forest parks.


The first written mention of Moscow dates back to 1147. But the settlements on the site of the modern city were much earlier, in a time remote from us, according to some historians, by 5 thousand years. However, all this belongs to the realm of legends and conjectures. No matter how everything happens, but in the XIII century Moscow is the center of an independent principality, and by the end of the XV century. it becomes the capital of the emerging unified Russian state. Since then, Moscow has been one of the largest cities in Europe. For centuries, Moscow has been an outstanding center of all-Russian culture, science, and art.


The largest city in Russia and Europe in terms of population (population as of July 1, 2009 - 10.527 million people), the center of the Moscow urban agglomeration. It is also one of the ten largest cities in the world.


An equally important indicator is population density. This value represents the number of inhabitants per 1 sq. km. km. The calculation of the population density of each country in the world is made with the exception of uninhabited territories, as well as minus vast expanses of water. In addition to the general population density, its individual indicators can be used, both for rural and urban residents.

Given the above facts, it should be borne in mind that the population on the globe is unevenly distributed. The average density of each country differs quite significantly from each other. In addition, within the states themselves there are many deserted territories, or densely populated cities, in which one square. km may account for several hundred people.

The most densely populated territories of South and East Asia, as well as the countries of Western Europe, while in the Arctic, in deserts, tropics and highlands, it is not at all dense. absolutely independent of their population density. Exploring the uneven distribution of the population, it is advisable to highlight the following statistics: 7% of the globe occupies 70% of the total number of people on the planet.

At the same time, the eastern part of the globe is occupied by 80% of the world's population.


The main criterion that acts as an indicator of the distribution of people is population density. The average value of this indicator is currently 40 million people per square meter. km. This indicator can vary and is directly dependent on the location of the area. In some areas, its value may be 2 thousand people per square meter. km, and on others - 1 person per sq. km.

It is advisable to single out countries with the lowest population density:

  • Australia;
  • Namibia;
  • Libya;
  • Mongolia;

Greenland is one of the countries with the lowest population density

As well as countries with low density:

  • Belgium;
  • United Kingdom;
  • Korea;
  • Lebanon;
  • Netherlands;
  • El Salvador and a number of other countries.

There are countries with an average population density, among them are:

  • Iraq;
  • Malaysia;
  • Tunisia;
  • Mexico;
  • Morocco;
  • Ireland.

In addition, there are areas on the globe that are classified as territories unsuitable for life.

As a rule, they represent an area with extreme conditions. These lands account for approximately 15% of all land.

As for Russia, it belongs to the category of low-populated states, despite the fact that its territory is quite large. The average population density in Russia is 1 person per 1 sq. km. km.

It is worth noting that the world is constantly undergoing changes, in which there is a decrease in either the birth rate or the death rate. This state of affairs indicates that the density and size of the population will soon be kept at about the same level.

The largest and smallest countries by area and population

China is the largest country in the world by population.

The number of people currently in the state is 1.349 billion people.

Next comes India with a population of 1.22 billion, followed by the United States of America with 316.6 million people. The next place in terms of number belongs to Indonesia: today 251.1 million citizens live in the country.

Next comes Brazil with a population of 201 million, then Pakistan with 193.2 million citizens, Nigeria with 174.5 million, and Bangladesh with 163.6 million citizens. Then Russia, with a population of 146 million people, and finally Japan, whose population is 127.2 million.


For a more detailed understanding of the issue, it is advisable to study the statistics regarding the smallest countries in the world in terms of population. In this scenario, it will suffice to consider the gradation of several independent states, which also include associated countries. The number of people in countries, in descending order, is as follows:
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis with a population of 49,898 people;
  • Liechtenstein, with a population of 35 thousand 870 people;
  • San Marino, the number of citizens of the country is 35 thousand 75 people;
  • Palau, a state belonging to the association of the United States of America, with a population of 20,842;
  • with a population of 19 thousand 569 people;
  • Order of Malta, which consists of 19 thousand 569 people;
  • Tuvalu with a population of 10,544 people;
  • Nauru - the population of the country is 9 thousand 322 people;
  • Niue is an island with a population of 1,398 people.

The smallest country in terms of population is considered to be the Vatican.

At the moment, only 836 people live in the country.

Table of population of all countries of the world

The world population table looks like this.

No. p / pCountriesPopulation
1. 1 343 238 909
2. India1 205 073 400
3. USA313 847 420
4. Indonesia248 700 000
5. Brazil199 322 300
6. Pakistan189 300 000
7. Nigeria170 124 640
8. Bangladesh161 079 600
9. Russia142 500 770
10. Japan127 122 000
11. 115 075 406
12. Philippines102 999 802
13. Vietnam91 189 778
14. Ethiopia91 400 558
15. Egypt83 700 000
16. Germany81 299 001
17. Turkey79 698 090
18. Iran78 980 090
19. Congo74 000 000
18. Thailand66 987 101
19. France65 805 000
20. United Kingdom63 097 789
21. Italy61 250 001
22. Myanmar61 215 988
23. Korea48 859 895
24. South Africa48 859 877
25. Spain47 037 898
26. Tanzania46 911 998
27. Colombia45 240 000
28. Ukraine44 849 987
29. Kenya43 009 875
30. Argentina42 149 898
31. Poland38 414 897
32. Algeria37 369 189
33. Canada34 298 188
34. Sudan34 198 987
35. Uganda33 639 974
36. Morocco32 299 279
37. Iraq31 130 115
38. Afghanistan30 420 899
39. Nepal29 889 898
40. Peru29 548 849
41. Malaysia29 178 878
42. Uzbekistan28 393 997
43. Venezuela28 048 000
44. Saudi Arabia26 529 957
45. Yemen24 771 797
46. Ghana24 651 978
47. North Korea24 590 000
48. Mozambique23 509 989
49. Taiwan23 234 897
50. Syria22 530 578
51. Australia22 015 497
52. Madagascar22 004 989
53. Ivory Coast21 952 188
54. Romania21 850 000
55. Sri Lanka21 479 987
56. Cameroon20 128 987
57. Angola18 056 069
58. Kazakhstan17 519 897
59. Burkina Faso17 274 987
60. Chile17 068 100
61. Netherlands16 729 987
62. Niger16 339 898
63. Malawi16 319 887
64. Mali15 495 021
65. Ecuador15 219 899
66. Cambodia14 961 000
67. Guatemala14 100 000
68. Zambia13 815 898
69. Senegal12 970 100
70. Zimbabwe12 618 979
71. Rwanda11 688 988
72. Cuba11 075 199
73. Chad10 974 850
74. Guinea10 884 898
75. Portugal10 782 399
76. Greece10 759 978
77. Tunisia10 732 890
78. South Sudan10 630 100
79. Burundi10 548 879
80. Belgium10 438 400
81. Bolivia10 289 007
82. Czech Republic10 178 100
83. Dominican Republic10 087 997
84. Somalia10 084 949
85. Hungary9 949 879
86. Haiti9 801 597
87. Belarus9 642 987
88. Benin9 597 998
87. Azerbaijan9 494 100
88. Sweden9 101 988
89. Honduras8 295 689
90. Austria8 220 011
91. Switzerland7 920 998
92. Tajikistan7 768 378
93. Israel7 590 749
94. Serbia7 275 985
95. Hong Kong7 152 819
96. Bulgaria7 036 899
97. Togo6 961 050
98. Laos6 585 987
99. Paraguay6 541 589
100. Jordan6 508 890
101. Papua New Guinea6 310 090
102. 6 090 599
103. Eritrea6 085 999
104. Nicaragua5 730 000
105. Libya5 613 379
106. Denmark5 543 399
107. Kyrgyzstan5 496 699
108. Sierra Leone5 485 988
109. Slovakia5 480 998
110. Singapore5 354 397
111. UAE5 314 400
112. Finland5 259 998
113. Central African Republic5 056 998
114. Turkmenistan5 054 819
115. Ireland4 722 019
116. Norway4 707 300
117. Costa Rica4 634 899
118. Georgia456999
119. Croatia4 480 039
120. Congo4 365 987
121. New Zealand4 328 000
122. Lebanon4 140 279
123. Liberia3 887 890
124. Bosnia and Herzegovina3 879 289
125. Puerto Rico3 690 919
126. Moldova3 656 900
127. Lithuania3 525 699
128. Panama3 510 100
129. Mauritania3 359 099
130. Uruguay3 316 330
131. Mongolia3 179 917
132. Oman3 090 050
133. Albania3 002 497
134. Armenia2 957 500
135. Jamaica2 888 997
136. Kuwait2 650 002
137. West Bank2 619 987
138. Latvia2 200 580
139. Namibia2 159 928
140. Botswana2 100 020
141. Macedonia2 079 898
142. Slovenia1 997 000
143. Qatar1 950 987
144. Lesotho1 929 500
145. Gambia1 841 000
146. Kosovo1 838 320
147. Gaza Strip1 700 989
148. Guinea-Bissau1 630 001
149. Gabon1 607 979
150. Swaziland1 387 001
151. Mauritius1 312 100
152. Estonia1 274 020
153. Bahrain1 250 010
154. East Timor1 226 400
155. Cyprus1 130 010
156. Fiji889 557
157. Djibouti774 400
158. Guyana740 998
159. Comoros737 300
160. Butane716 879
161. Equatorial Guinea685 988
162. Montenegro657 410
163. Solomon islands583 699
164. Macau577 997
165. Suriname560 129
166. Cape Verde523 570
167. West Sahara522 989
168. Luxembourg509 100
169. Malta409 798
170. Brunei408 775
171. Maldives394 398
172. Belize327 720
173. Bahamas316 179
174. Iceland313 201
175. Barbados287 729
176. French polynesia274 498
177. New Caledonia260 159
178. Vanuatu256 166
179. Samoa194 319
180. Sao Tome and Principe183 169
181. Saint Lucia162 200
182. Guam159 897
183. Netherlands Antilles145 828
184. Grenada109 001
185. Aruba107 624
186. micronesia106 500
187. Tonga106 200
188. US Virgin Islands105 269
189. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines103 499
190. Kiribati101 988
191. Jersey94 950
192. Seychelles90 018
193. Antigua and Barbuda89 020
194. Isle Of Man85 419
195. Andorra85 100
196. Dominica73 130
197. Bermuda69 079
198. Marshall Islands68 500
199. guernsey65 338
200. 57 700
201. American Samoa54 950
202. Cayman islands52 558
203. Northern Mariana Islands51 400
204. Saint Kitts and Nevis50 690
205. Faroe islands49 590
206. Turks and Caicos46 320
207. Sint Maarten (Netherlands)39 100
208. Liechtenstein36 690
209. San Marino32 200
210. British Virgin Islands31 100
211. France30 910
212. Monaco30 498
213. Gibraltar29 048
214. Palau21 041
215. Dhekelia and Akroiti15 699
216. Wallis and Futuna15 420
217. England15 390
218. Cook Islands10 800
219. Tuvalu10 598
220. Nauru9 400
221. Saint Helena7 730
222. Saint Barthelemy7 329
223. Montserrat5 158
224. Falkland (Malvinas) Islands3 139
225. Norfolk Island2 200
226. Svalbard1 969
227. Christmas Island1 487
228. Tokelau1 370
229. Niue1 271
230. 840
231. coconut islands589
232. Pitcairn Islands47

The world population density map shows the number of people living in each country per 1 sq. km. km.

The population density of the earth is 55 persons per 1 square kilometer. According to statistics, the total number of people living in all countries of the world in 2016 was 7,486,520,598 people. By the end of 2017, this indicator is expected to grow by 1.2%.

Top 10 countries by population density:

  1. The first place in the ranking of countries in terms of population density is occupied by a dwarf state on the Cote d'Azur -. The population of Monaco is only 30,508 people, and the total area of ​​the state is 2.02 square meters. km. For 1 sq. km kilometer is home to 18,679 people.

This population density is astonishing. Monaco is considered one of the most expensive countries in the world. The state gained its popularity thanks to the annual holding of the famous Formula 1 racing championship on its territory. And also the kingdom is famous for its gambling business and a highly developed tourism sector.

The country ranks first in the world in terms of population density


More than 3 thousand people work on the territory of the Catholic monastery, but all employees are citizens of the Italian Republic. They do not live in the Vatican, but only work, so the labor force cannot be considered the population.

The Vatican has officially received the status of the smallest state on the world map. Its area does not exceed 1 sq. km (only 0.44 sq. km.). Therefore, the density of the population living in this country is 2,272 people per 1 sq. km. km.

  1. Kingdom of Bahrain. This is the smallest Arab state in the Middle East, consisting of 33 islands. The average population density of Bahrain is 1997.4 people. In recent years, the population of the country, called the pearl of the Arab world, has grown from 1,343,000 to 1,418,162 people. The population growth in 2016 is 1.74%, and in 2017 the number of residents increased by 1.76%. According to statistics, 18 migrants come to Bahrain every day for permanent residence. .
  2. - an island nation known for the absence of permanent rivers and lakes. In 2016, the population of this country in southern Europe was 420,869 people, and the density was 1315.2. In 2017, it is planned to increase the population of this state by 1343 people. According to forecasts, already at the end of 2017, the growth rate of people living here will increase by 4 persons per day.
  3. This state is one of the most expensive resorts in the world. The population density of the Republic of Maldives is 1245, 1 person per 1 sq. km. m. In 2017, population growth is expected at the level of 1.78%. The number of people living in the Republic of Maldives is governed solely by the processes of birth and death. On average, 22 babies are born in the Maldives in 1 day, and 4 people die. It is difficult for immigrants to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Maldives.

    The capital of the Maldives - the city of Male - is the smallest, in terms of size and population, the capital in the world.

  4. Bangladesh is a country in the southern part of Asia. The People's Republic of Bangladesh is not very popular with tourists. Most of the country is covered with rivers and lakes. The population in Bangladesh at the end of 2016 is 163,900,500 people. Despite the fact that the republic is developing the agricultural and industrial sectors, Bangladesh remains one of the poorest countries in Asia. The population density in this country is 1138.2 people per 1 sq. km. km. can be found on our website.
  5. - an exotic republic with an abundance of attractions and an interesting national flavor. This state attracts many tourists, but only a few remain in this country for permanent residence. In 2016, 285,675 people lived in Barbados. The birth rate in this republic is also quite good. On average, about 10 children are born a day, and about 7 die. From this we can conclude that the birth rate in the country is higher than the mortality rate. According to forecasts, the number of people living in Barbados by the end of 2017 should increase by 0.33%. To date, the population density of this country is 664.4 people.
  6. . In this state, with an area of ​​2040 sq. km is home to 1,281,103 inhabitants. Density - 628 people.
  7. The Republic of China completes the ranking of countries in the world by density in 2017. This country is the largest in terms of population in East Asia. The population is 1,375,137,837 people. In 2017, population growth is expected to be 0.53%. The Republic of China has been leading the birth rate for many years. Experts note that this demographic situation is due to cultural and economic factors. The sharp increase in the population forced the Chinese government to introduce a law prohibiting having more than one child in one family. More than 22 million children are born in China every year. The density of the population living in China is 144 persons per 1 square kilometer.

You can find out on our website.

Data by parts of the world

Africa

Africa's population density is 30.5 people per square kilometer.

Table: density of people living in different countries of the African continent

The countryDensity (persons per sq. km)
16,9
16,2
94,8
3,7
Burkina Faso63,4
Burundi401,6
Gabon67,7
181,4
113,4
47,3
Guinea-Bissau46,9
34,7
Djibouti36,5
93,7
21,5
West Sahara2,2
33,4
130,2
51,2
80,5
Comoros390,7
14,2
73,6
64,3
Liberia38,6
3,7
Mauritius660,9
3,6
41,6
Malawi156,7
14,1
75,4
32,3
3,0
Niger14,7
201,4