Which one of the following is NOT an area of sparse population?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (4) → South Asia

Few people live in hot or cold deserts, high mountains and areas of very heavy rainfall. Many people live on flat, fertile plains with water.

Option (1) Kalahari — An area of sparse population. The Kalahari is a hot desert of southern Africa. Very hot deserts are uncomfortable for living, so few people live there.

Option (2) Central Asia — An area of sparse population. Central Asia has large deserts and high mountains with an extreme climate. Such areas have low population.

Option (3) Equatorial region — An area of sparse population. Equatorial lands have very heavy rainfall and dense forests, so they have low population.

Option (4) South Asia — Not an area of sparse population. South Asia has wide, fertile river plains such as the Ganga plains, which are among the most densely populated areas of the world.

Note: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. The book does not name Kalahari, Central Asia or South Asia. It gives the reasons why an area has few or many people: deserts, high mountains and areas of very heavy rainfall have few people, and flat, fertile plains have many. Each option is judged by these reasons, as explained above.

NCERT (2026-27): “(ii) Landforms: People prefer living on flat plains and gentle slopes. This is because such areas are favourable for the production of crops and to build roads and industries. The mountainous and hilly areas hinder the development of transport network and hence initially do not favour agricultural and industrial development. So, these areas tend to be less populated. The Ganga plains are among the most densely populated areas of the world while the mountains zones in the Himalayas are scarcely populated.”

“(iii) Climate: An extreme climate such as very hot or cold deserts are uncomfortable for human habitation. Areas with a comfortable climate, where there is not much seasonal variation attract more people. Areas with very heavy rainfall or extreme and harsh climates have low population.”