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Multilingual Demographic Dictionary, second unified edition, English volume

Maximum potential density

Multilingual Demographic Dictionary, second unified edition, English vol.
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Maximum potential density  (MAXIMUM potential density)


Where the pattern of settlement of different populations is to be compared and other factors besides surface area are taken into account, comparative density indices 1 are sometimes computed. There are various such indices, among which we may mention the density of population per unit of cultivable area 2 and the density of the agricultural population per unit of cultivable area 3. Occasionally these indices are based on the cultivated area 4 rather than the cultivable area 5. The density may also be expressed as a relation between population and total economic resources; the maximum potential density 6 or population carrying capacity 6, showing the relationship between resources and the maximum population that can be supported with these resources, may be considered. The concept of optimum density 7, i.e., the density which will give the maximum real income per head with given resources, is used in population theory. More...