Which of the following statements about the factors influencing distribution of population are correct?
(A) Availability of minerals and mining activities lead to population attraction
(B) Urbanisation and job opportunities lead to higher population density
(C) Industrialisation leads to job opportunities as well as subsidiary activities
(D) Mountainous regions are heavily populated due to tourists visit and subsidiary activities
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (A), (B) and (C) only
People are not spread evenly over the earth. Some areas are crowded and others are almost empty. This depends on geographical factors (water, landforms, climate, soils) and economic factors (minerals, urbanisation, industrialisation). Places that offer work draw people in. Places that are hard to live in and reach keep people away.
(A) Availability of minerals and mining activities lead to population attraction — Correct. Mineral deposits bring industries, and mining gives jobs. Skilled and semi-skilled workers move there, so mining areas become densely populated, as in the Katanga Zambia copper belt of Africa.
(B) Urbanisation and job opportunities lead to higher population density — Correct. Cities offer better jobs, schools, hospitals and transport. These pull people from villages to cities. This rural to urban migration makes cities grow, and mega cities keep attracting migrants every year.
(C) Industrialisation leads to job opportunities as well as subsidiary activities — Correct. An industrial belt needs factory workers. It also needs people who serve them, such as transport operators, shopkeepers, bank employees, doctors and teachers. These are the subsidiary activities, and they bring even more people to the area.
(D) Mountainous regions are heavily populated due to tourists visit and subsidiary activities — Incorrect. Mountains and hills make it hard to build roads, grow crops and set up industries. So these areas are less populated. The Himalayan mountain zones have few people, while the Ganga plains below them are among the most crowded areas of the world. NTA changed “less populated” to “heavily populated”, and a true line became false. Read every word before you mark the answer.
NCERT (2026-27): “II. Economic Factors … (i) Minerals: Areas with mineral deposits attract industries. Mining and industrial activities generate employment. So, skilled and semi–skilled workers move to these areas and make them densely populated. Katanga Zambia copper belt in Africa is one such good example.” “(ii) Urbanisation: Cities offer better employment opportunities, educational and medical facilities, better means of transport and communication. Good civic amenities and the attraction of city life draw people to the cities. It leads to rural to urban migration and cities grow in size.” “(iii) Industrialisation: Industrial belts provide job opportunities and attract large numbers of people. These include not just factory workers but also transport operators, shopkeepers, bank employees, doctors, teachers and other service providers.” “I. Geographical Factors … (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.” |