AP Human Geography : Density, Distribution, & Scale

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Human Geography

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Geographical Analysis Of Population

Population density is a measure of the number of people that live in a given geographical area.  The United States population is now approximately 320 million.  The land area of the United States is approximately 9 million square kilometers.

Which of the following answers best approximates the population density of the United States?

Possible Answers:

30 persons per square kilometer

35 persons per square kilometer

25 persons per square kilometer

40 persons per square kilometer

38 persons per square kilometer

Correct answer:

35 persons per square kilometer

Explanation:

The population density of the United States is closest to 35 persons per square kilometer. To arrive at this answer choice, divide the population of the US (320 million people) by the geographic land area of the US (9 million kilometers).

320 million people /9 million square km = 35.56 or approximately 35 persons per square km.

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