GIS applications in population dynamics: changes of population gravity along with population density in Western Province, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Population is a dynamic feature in both global and regional contexts. The Department of Census and Statistics estimated population growth in Sri Lanka for 2014 as 0.86% and fertility rate in 2012 is 2.35 births per woman, along with more than 20 million people in the country. Even from these facts it is clear that the population is increasing and it will continue to be. Understanding the spatial distribution of people will provide a solid foundation when planning for the necessities of this population. Not only the distribution of population density, but also the gravity of population can be used as an analytical tools when identifying the spatial patterns