• China's population distribution is mostly concentrated in the eastern part of the country, along coastal zones, and lower river valleys.
• Physical geography influences this distribution - only a small proportion of the country can support rain-fed agriculture due to steep slopes or dry lands.
• Coastal and river locations are favored for trade and commerce, contributing to dense population clusters.
• Economic growth has magnified the east-west inequality in population distribution.

Fun Fact: Did you know 11% of China's population lives on just 0.5% of the land? That's about 115 million people in an area roughly the size of Switzerland!

• China's urbanization process has led to the creation of mega-regions, concentrating population and economic activity.
• Mega-regions like the capital economic zone (including Beijing and Tianjin), Pearl River Delta, and the Yangtze River Delta are growing rapidly.
• This has led to an increase in internal migration, with 160 million migrants moving from rural to urban areas since 1978 for better wages.

Real-world example: Shenzhen grew from a small settlement in 1978 to a booming city with a population of 12 million in 2010!

• South Africa's population distribution is also uneven.
• High population densities are found where there are good mineral resources, farming potential, and trading opportunities.
• Population generally decreases from the southeast to the northwest, reflecting the distribution of rainfall.

Did you know? Gauteng, South Africa, has a population density of over 1,000 people/km², while the Northern Cape Province has less than 5 people/km²!