Approximately 10% of the global population lives in mountain regions. While mountains occupy about 24% of the Earth’s land surface, the challenges of steep terrain, thin air and limited arable land make them less densely populated than plains. However, these 10% are crucial for biodiversity and are the guardians of the world’s freshwater sources. ANSWER: (B) 10%
What is the approximate percentage of the world’s population living in mountainous regions? (A) 1% (B) 10% (C) 25% (D) 50%
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The human geography of mountains is defined by “low density but high significance.” While only one in ten people lives in these high-altitude zones, mountains provide essential ecosystem services to the rest of humanity. They are the “Water Towers of the World,” supplying freshwater to half of the global population. Life in these regions is often characterized by subsistence farming, pastoralism and tourism. In exams, this statistic highlights the contrast between plains (where 90% reside) and mountains, emphasizing how physical relief fundamentally limits large-scale human settlement and urban infrastructure development.