UK population distribution

-The sparsely populated areas in the UK are mainly upland areas such as the Pennines, Dartmoor and the Scottish Highlands.

-The upland areas have a harsher climate than the lowlands.

-The terrain is rugged and the steep slopes make the building of communications and settlements difficult.

-The steep slopes, thin soils and short growing season prevent crop growth. -The areas are often remote with poor access and few services.

-In the uplands there are limited employment opportunities, the main occupations are extensive sheep farming, foresting, quarrying, the water industry (reservoirs and HEP) and tourism.

-Larger concentrations of people are only found where a resource has been developed.      

-The high-density areas in UK are the conurbations, the larger cities and the industrial areas, e.g Tyneside, Merseyside and Greater London.

-About 80% of the UK population lives in towns and cities and over 50% in the seven largest city areas, the conurbations. Most of the conurbations in the UK except Greater London, are former coalmining areas which were developed during the Industrial Revolution.

-The areas of high density are located in the lowlands where the relief is gentle and the climate more pleasant  

-There are dense networks of communications including roads, railways, airports and ports.