Which country has most of its population located in the east where it receives more rainfall and has more rivers?

• A. China
• B. North Korea
• C. Mongolia
• D. Japan

Answer: (A)

China is the correct answer because it has a highly uneven population distribution across its vast territory, with the eastern regions being significantly more populated than the western areas. The eastern part of China, including provinces like Guangdong, Shandong, and Jiangsu, features a more favorable climate marked by higher rainfall and numerous rivers, such as the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.

The eastern regions benefit from fertile plains and access to waterways, which have historically supported agriculture and urban development, drawing large numbers of people to settle there. This contrasts starkly with the western regions of China, which are more arid, mountainous, and less conducive to large-scale population settlement.

Other options do not reflect the same demographic and geographic characteristics. North Korea has a similarly uneven population, but its overall population density and distribution patterns are less pronounced than China's due to its smaller size and less diverse geography. Mongolia is characterized by a vast, mostly sparsely populated steppe landscape with a lower population overall. Japan, while it has a significant population concentrated in the east, is much smaller than China and does not have the same scale of demographic distribution issues. Thus, China's unique geographic and climatic conditions make it the most fitting choice for this question.