pop·u·late 
/ˈpɑ:pjəˌleɪt/ verb
pop·u·lates; pop·u·lat·ed; pop·u·lat·ing /ˈpɑ:pjəˌleɪt/ verb [+ obj] : to live in (a country, city, area, etc.) : to make up the population of (a place)
▪ Immigrants began to populate the area in the late 19th century. ▪ Strange creatures populate the ocean depths. — often used as (be) populated ▪ The country is populated by many ethnic groups. — often used figuratively ▪ The area is populated by small farms. [=the area has many small farms] ▪ His stories are populated with real-life characters.
▪ Immigrants began to populate the area in the late 19th century. ▪ Strange creatures populate the ocean depths. — often used as (be) populated ▪ The country is populated by many ethnic groups. — often used figuratively ▪ The area is populated by small farms. [=the area has many small farms] ▪ His stories are populated with real-life characters.
— populated adjective [more populated; most populated]
▪ a densely/heavily populated area [=an area where many people live] ▪ a sparsely/thinly populated area [=an area where few people live] ▪ The most populated region of the country [=the region where most people live] is in the south.
▪ a densely/heavily populated area [=an area where many people live] ▪ a sparsely/thinly populated area [=an area where few people live] ▪ The most populated region of the country [=the region where most people live] is in the south.
