🗺️ Part 1: Map Reading Skills

1. What does population density measure?

Total number of people in a country

Number of people per square kilometre

Size of cities and towns

Distance between settlements

2. On a population density map, which colour typically represents the highest population density?

Light yellow or white

Dark red or purple

Light green

Blue

3. Which geographical features would you expect to have LOW population density? (Select all that apply)

Mountain ranges

City centres

Deserts

Dense forests

Coastal plains

4. Fill in the blanks using the vocabulary words: sparse, clustered, urban, rural

a) Auckland has a high population density because it is an __________ area.

b) The West Coast of the South Island has a __________ population.

c) Most of New Zealand's population is __________ around major cities.

d) Farming areas typically have __________ populations.

🇳🇿🇦🇺 Part 2: Comparing New Zealand and Australia

5. Based on population density maps, which statement is most accurate?

Australia has higher population density than New Zealand everywhere

Both countries have most people living along coastlines

New Zealand's interior is more densely populated than Australia's

Both countries have evenly distributed populations

6. List three factors that might explain why certain areas in New Zealand and Australia have low population density:

7. Name the highest population density areas in each country:

New Zealand: _________________________

Australia: _________________________

8. Explain why you think most Australians live along the coast rather than in the interior (Outback):

💭 Part 3: Analysis and Interpretation

9. Compare the population distribution patterns of New Zealand and Australia. What similarities and differences do you observe?

10. Based on the population density maps, what does the comparison between New Zealand and Australia tell us about how people choose where to live? Use evidence from the maps to support your answer.

Population Density Map Reading

Population Density Map Reading

🗺️ Part 1: Map Reading Skills

🇳🇿🇦🇺 Part 2: Comparing New Zealand and Australia

💭 Part 3: Analysis and Interpretation

About This Worksheet

Free in Kuraplan

Print-Ready

AI-Generated

For Teachers & Parents

Need a custom version of this worksheet?

More Social Sciences Worksheets

Map Coordinates Worksheet

Prepare for Natural Disasters?

Our Unique Aotearoa Worksheet

Kiribati Geographic Challenge

Aotearoa Comparisons Worksheet Pack

Around the World Overview

Migration, Culture and Belonging

Whangaroa Kaitiakitanga Worksheet

Explore more free resources