Answer: Because a very large population lives on a relatively small land area that is mostly fertile and favourable for settlement.
- India's population is more than 121 crore, while its area is only 32.87 lakh sq km, so the density is about 382 persons per sq km (2011).
- The northern plains and the coastal plains are flat, fertile and well watered, and have supported dense settlement for thousands of years.
- The monsoon climate, agriculture, industries, mining and growing towns provide employment to a large number of people.
- Better transport, health and education facilities have lowered the death rate while the birth rate has remained high.