Concept:
Population distribution is the way in which people are spread across a given area. This distribution is highly uneven globally, and nowhere is this more apparent than in Asia.
Step 1: Interpreting the Remark.
The statement describes the extreme spatial variation in Asia's population. "Many places where people are few" refers to the vast, sparsely populated regions like the Gobi Desert, the Himalayas, and the Siberian plains. "Few places where people are very many" refers to the dense clusters in the river valleys of the Ganges, Yangtze, and coastal plains.
Step 2: Attribution to George B. Cressey.
George B. Cressey, a distinguished geographer specializing in the geography of Asia, made this observation to emphasize the continent's population concentration in specific fertile and accessible pockets.
Step 3: Role of other Geographers.
• Thomas Malthus: Primarily known for his theory on the relationship between population growth and food supply.
• Glenn T. Trewartha: Known for his work in climatology and for defining population geography as a distinct sub-discipline.
• Griffith Taylor: Known for "Neo-determinism" or "Stop-and-Go Determinism".