Read the Following Geographic Concepts . Include Specific References to Them, As Well As

Read the following Geographic Concepts. Include specific references to them, as well as to a named country or region when answering

Fully explain how natural (physical) factors have influenced where the population is located in your named country or region.

Most people like to live near the coast because you can use the water for recreation or transport. The coast also tends to have a better climate as it does not get too hot or too cold. Most people will live where the climate is pleasant to live in. They avoid areas that are too hot, too cold, too wet or too dry. They will also avoid places that are too hilly. Living on top of a mountain creates problems such as accessibility or making people feel isolated. Instead flat plains are favoured. Here it is much easier to build on and get from place to place. Especially popular are the plains alongside rivers. Rivers deposit silt in times of flood that make the floodplains more fertile. This makes them good places to live as it is easy to grow crops and farm here. The only exception you get to people living in hilly regions is if they have valuable mineral deposits there such as gold or oil.

Overall Mark – Not Achieved

Main Reason: No reference to a case study

Most people in New Zealand live in the North Island with 50% of the population living north of Taupo. The main reason that the North Island is more favoured is because it offers more jobs. The North Island is closer to other countries such as the USA and Asia for trade. Therefore the biggest ports are in the North Island such as Auckland and Tauranga. This trade then attracts industries and in turn this stimulates more jobs. New Zealand’s largest city is Auckland that has 1.4 million people or over a third of New Zealand’s total population. People are attracted to cities like this for many reasons. The larger it is the more opportunities occur. Auckland offers a wide variety of recreational, educational, shopping and health opportunities. Since most migrants arrive in Auckland they tend to stay here. This has not always been the case. Over 100 years ago the South Island was more heavily populated. This was a result of the Maori wars that made the North Island less favourable. It shows that history also helps determine the population distribution.

Overall Mark – Not Achieved

Main Reason: Does not answer question – not natural reasons. 3.

Most people in New Zealand like to live near the sea with 80% of the population living within 10km of the coastline. They do this because the coast offers fun things to do such as swimming, sailing and canoeing. The reason few people live in the centre of New Zealand is due to its height. The Southern Alps are mountains that cover much of the South Island. These are not popular places to live in as they are cold and isolated. Thick bush in parts of fiord land makes the region hard to reach. The only part of the South Island that has lots of people is the Canterbury plains. Plains are easy to build on and for roads. The silt left by rivers like the Rakaia has made the soils good and easy to farm. This also makes them attractive for people to live in. The North Island has a lot more flat land that is the reason more people live here. Over 50% of New Zealand’s population of 4.3million live north of Taupo. The main reason for this is to do with the climate. The top of the country has a much nicer climate as it is warm and not too wet.

Overall Mark – Merit

Main Reason: Lots of factors covered but concepts are inferred and not clear. Also lacks good terminology. 4.

One of the main natural reasons that influences where people live is relief. People do not like to live in mountains for many reasons. This can be seen in the case of the Southern Alps that cover much of the South Island of New Zealand as well as the Kashmir region of India. In both places the population density is less than 1 person per km2 compared to over 100 people per km2 in more densely populated areas. Mountains are very hard to build on and for this reason they have poor access. Because they are difficult to get to people feel more isolated that live there. In Kasmir the mountains rise up to over 4,000m and it is over 1,000km to the sea. The few people who live there live in small isolated villages that are cut off from modern technology. In the Southern Alps in New Zealand it is not as isolated since many areas are favoured for skiing. However, few people live there permanently. Overall Mark – Not Achieved

Main Reason: Only one natural factor is given when asks for plural.

In New Zealand there are several clear patterns that describe where people live. Areas that have a lot of people are said to be densely populated and areas with few people are described as sparse. The population is peripheral with 90% of the population living within 20km of the coast. 96% of the population lives on 12 plains of which the Canterbury plain is the largest. Other densely populated plains are Auckland, Hauraki and Manuwatu. 75% of the population lives in the North Island because of the relief and 50% of the population lives above Taupo because of the climate. Auckland is the most densely populated area in New Zealand where almost one third of the countries population lives. This is because it has all of these important factors – flat land, by the sea and a good climate.

Overall Mark –Achieved

Main Reason: Several natural factors are mentioned but patterns are described and not explained to take to a Merit level.

Interpret the Question: Read the following Geographic Concepts. Include specific references to them, as well as to a named country or region when answering

What is required at each level:

Achieved Merit Excellence Must be at least 2 Must be at least 2 Must be at least 2 natural factors natural factors natural factors mentioned that effect mentioned that effect mentioned that effect population distribution population distribution population distribution

Factors are described Factors are explained Factors are explained in as to how they effect as to how they effect detail as to how they population distribution population distribution effect population distribution

At least one reference to Several references to a Several references to a a case study case study (names, case study (names, dates and/or statistics) dates and/or statistics) used throughout.

Shows clear understanding of the concept of pattern and/or location.

Uses geographic terms

Based on what you have learnt write an excellence answer to this question.