Size of pointers: Dependent factors

I am finding difficulties in understanding the factors on which the size of pointer variables in C is dependent on. I checked few references, the only information I got until now is pointer size is dependent on the processor architecture.I would like to know the following details

• Please explain more on how the architecure impacts the pointer size.
• In general, if the pointer is of x bits then 0 to 2^(X)-1 number of address locations should be there.I am losing track while relating the number of address locations and the actual amount of memory available to the program.