Why is there a low population density in the western part of China? (AKS 52a) (DOK 2)

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A

Lakes and rivers allow for arable land to farm.

B. Certain physical features make it difficult to support a population.

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C. There are large deposits of minerals which limit where people can live.

D. Land is sacred to the Buddhist religion and they do not allow outsiders.

The correct answer is B. Certain physical features make it difficult to support a population.

Explanation

China is a country on the continent that despite having one of the largest population numbers in the world has a population imbalance because in the western part of the country the population is a minority or almost nil, while in the coastal areas and the river valleys, the population is more abundant. This phenomenon occurs because in the coastal areas the first communities were established since centuries ago and the largest cities in the country have been built there, while in the western part of the country, as in the Tibet plateau, the Gobi desert, the Pamir mountain ranges or the Taklamakan desert the population does not exceed 6% of the total Chinese population, this is because the physical conditions of this part of the country have hindered the penetration of the population in the interior of the country, where there are wide deserts and extreme climates. According to the above, the correct answer is B. Certain physical features make it difficult to support a population.