The polar regions of the Earth are very sparsely populated. Which of the following is the main reason for this low population density?

Introduction / Context:
The polar regions, including the Arctic and Antarctic zones, are known for having very low population densities compared with temperate and tropical regions. Understanding why these areas are sparsely populated tests your grasp of how climate, resources, and physical conditions influence human settlements. This question asks you to identify the primary reason for the thin population in the polar regions.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on polar regions, which include high latitude zones near the North and South Poles.
• We are given four possible reasons for sparse population.
• Options include lack of minerals, unsuitable climatic conditions, infertile land, and mountainous topography.
• Only one of these is considered the main, overarching cause.

Concept / Approach:
Human beings generally prefer to live in areas where climate allows comfortable living, agriculture, and economic activity. Polar climates are extremely cold, with long dark winters, low average temperatures, and heavy snow or ice cover. These climatic conditions make housing, transport, and food production very difficult and expensive. While soil fertility and landforms also matter, the dominant factor that discourages large scale settlement in polar areas is the harsh climate itself.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Think about the basic characteristics of polar regions: extreme cold, ice cover, and very long winters. Step 2: Recognize that such climatic conditions make daily life, agriculture, and infrastructure development challenging. Step 3: Consider that many polar areas actually have mineral resources, so lack of minerals is not a correct primary reason. Step 4: Remember that some polar regions are not heavily mountainous, so topography alone cannot explain the low population. Step 5: Conclude that unsuitable climatic conditions are the main reason and choose that option.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of scientific stations in Antarctica and communities in the Arctic. Most are small and often temporary because supporting large populations would require enormous resources to cope with the cold and darkness. Even when minerals or oil are present, workers usually live in specialized settlements and rotate in and out rather than building large permanent cities. This confirms that it is climate, not simply lack of minerals or land quality, that primarily limits population.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Lack of minerals: Many polar regions actually have valuable mineral and energy resources, but climate makes their extraction difficult and expensive.

Infertile land: Soil conditions are poor for agriculture, but this is itself partly due to the cold climate, so it is a secondary factor rather than the main direct reason.

Mountainous topography: Parts of the polar regions are mountainous, but others are relatively flat or covered by ice sheets. The low population is widespread across both flat and mountainous areas, showing that topography is not the central cause.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners focus on economic reasons, such as lack of minerals, but that view is incomplete. If valuable minerals were the only issue, investment could still support larger populations. Instead, it is the extremely low temperatures, long polar nights, and ice conditions that make normal life very hard. Always check whether the option describes a fundamental environmental limitation or a secondary economic factor.

Final Answer:
The main reason that polar regions are sparsely populated is their unsuitable climatic conditions.