Key elements in the physical environment: climate, soils, resource distributions including water supply
Three physical factors — climate, soil quality, and water availability — strongly influence where people can live. Places with favourable conditions attract large populations; hostile environments stay largely empty.
Real World
The Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa experiences chronic food insecurity and low population density because erratic rainfall, poor laterite soils, and limited groundwater make sustained agriculture extremely difficult.
Exam Focus
Avoid listing climate, soils, and water separately — examiners reward answers that explain how these factors interact to influence population patterns.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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