A discussion of the geographical factors affecting the distribution of population in Ceylon

Abstract

Chapter 1. General Geography of Ceylon. Its position, relief, soils, climate, agriculture and other industries, population at 1921 Census; administrative divisions. Chapter II. distribution of population in Ceylon before British occupation. Division of history of island into 5 periods. Concentration of population into northern and south-eastern Ceylon in Sinhalese period; evidence and reasons for this Movement of population south westwards in Portuguese period owing to attacks, and change in course of trade. Completion of this movement on introduction of planting by Dutch. Chapter III Distribution of rural population in western Province. Geography of province; its varied agricultural development. Factors affecting efficiency of labour force; have grown food stuffs, education; healthiness, relationship of Province to port of Colombo. Chapter IV. The planting provinces. Geography of Central Province and Sabaragamuwa. Factors affecting development of planting, particularly of tea and rubber. Immigrant Indian labour. Vital nature of planting industry to Ceylon. Chapter V. The provinces with an uneven population-dlatrication. Distribution of population in southern, North Western and Northern Provinces. The densely peopled areas; varied industries of Galle and katara; coconut gardens of Chilaw; trade between Jaffna peninsula and mainland of India. The sparsely peopled districts; Malaria. Chapter VI. The sparsely peopled provinces. Deficient rainfall of Eastern, North Eastern and Uva Provinces. Derelict irrigation systems; prevalence of malaria; poor communications. Measures for improving health of provinces. Chapter VII. Villages and towns in Ceylon. Factors deter-mining sites and size of villages. The large towns; position and trade of Colombo, Galle, Jaffna, Kandy. Chapter VIII. summary of factors affecting distribution of population in Ceylon. Comparison between Ceylon and Javato show differences in Geography of two, and so to emphasise geographical factors determining distribution of population in Ceylon. Division of Ceylon into two halves -- densely populated 'wet' Ceylon; sparsely populated 'dry' Ceylon. Probable disappearance of sharp difference in population-density in future; the complimentary nature of the two halves of Ceylon.