What country in South Asia has the highest population density?

Category: Miscellaneous Indian Gk

Hint: Consider the land area and population of each country.

Correct Answer: C) Bangladesh

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, Civil Services

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

Population density is a critical demographic measure that indicates how crowded a given area is. It is calculated by dividing the total population of a region by its land area. In the context of South Asia, the countries under consideration are India, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Each of these countries has distinct characteristics that influence their population density.

India is the most populous country in South Asia, with a population of over 1.3 billion people. However, it also has a vast land area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometers. This large land area results in a population density of around 464 people per square kilometer, which is high but not the highest in the region.

The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, has a very small land area of about 298 square kilometers. Despite its small size, the Maldives has a relatively high population density due to its population of around 540,000 people. However, the Maldives' population density is not the highest in South Asia because its total population is much smaller compared to other countries in the region.

Bangladesh, with a population of over 164 million people and a land area of about 147,570 square kilometers, has the highest population density in South Asia. The population density in Bangladesh is approximately 1,112 people per square kilometer. This high density is due to the combination of a large population and a relatively small land area, which is mostly flat and suitable for habitation.

Nepal, located in the Himalayan region, has a population of around 29 million people and a land area of about 147,516 square kilometers. The population density in Nepal is around 197 people per square kilometer. The mountainous terrain of Nepal contributes to a lower population density compared to Bangladesh.

Therefore, among the given options, Bangladesh has the highest population density in South Asia. This is due to its large population and relatively small land area, which results in a high concentration of people per unit area.

Option Analysis:

Option A: India is the most populous country in South Asia, but it has a larger land area, resulting in a lower population density compared to Bangladesh.
Option B: The Maldives has a very high population density due to its small land area, but it is not the highest in South Asia. The Maldives is an archipelago with a very small land area, which can lead to a high population density, but it is not as densely populated as Bangladesh.
Option C: Bangladesh has the highest population density in South Asia due to its large population and relatively small land area. This makes it the correct answer.
Option D: Nepal has a lower population density than Bangladesh due to its larger land area and lower population. Nepal's mountainous terrain also contributes to a lower population density.

Mnemonic: BANG: Bangladesh has the highest population density in South Asia.

Back to Miscellaneous Indian Gk set 345 – Practice all questions