An overwhelming 90% of the world’s population lives in plain regions. The ease of building infrastructure, the availability of fresh water from rivers and the high agricultural productivity make plains the most habitable areas on Earth. This concentration of people has led to the development of massive urban corridors and high population densities in river valleys across the globe. ANSWER: (B) 90%
What percentage of the world’s total population lives in plains? (A) 71% (B) 90% (C) 50% (D) 65%
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Geographically, humans are “plain-dwelling” creatures, with 90% of the population concentrated on just 41% of the land. Plains provide the lowest resistance to human movement and construction. Whether it is the Yangtze, the Ganges or the Rhine, river plains have historically served as the magnets for human settlement. This concentration is even more pronounced in modern times, as plains facilitate the massive transportation and communication networks required for globalized trade. However, this high population density also makes plain regions the most vulnerable to hazards like flooding and rising sea levels, posing a significant challenge for future geography.