Distribuição espacial da população no distrito de Lago – Niassa

Abstract

The spatial distribution of population in a territory is influenced by several factors. The present work analyzes the spatial distribution of the population in the district of Lago and the factors that explain it. A study of this kind presupposes the collection of information about the distribution in the space of the population considered, its cartography, analysis and examination of the relationships with other aspects of the environment and all the changes that take place over time. This study was based on the analysis of data from the 1980 and 1997 Censuses. In the intercensal period, the population of the district increased by 18,491 inhabitants (from 37,401 inhabitants in 1980 to 55,892 inhabitants in 1997). The study shows that the population of the district of Lago is unevenly distributed, being concentrated in the south of the district, particularly in the administrative posts of Lunho and Metangula-sede. The unequal distribution of the population is probably related to the level of development of the different territorial units, socio-economic factors, forced migrations caused by the civil conflict that ended in October 1992, physical and natural factors, such as the relief disposition, the distribution of water and soils fertile throughout the district. In the study area there are two types of human settlements: dispersed and grouped, with dispersed settlement being the most common.(TRADUÇÁO NOSSA)