Radial Probability Distribution Curve versus ψ² versus r curve for 1s orbitals My question is basic, but I have already referred to a couple of books.

This is an excerpt from Linus Pauling's book:


  the most probable distance of the electron from the nucleus, which is the value of $r$ at which $D(r)$ has its maximum value, is seen from Figure 21-1 to be $a=\pu{0.529 \mathring{A}}$, which is just the radius of the normal Bohr orbit for hydrogen.
  [Figure 21-1 is the Radial Probability Distribution Curve (RPDC) for the 1s orbital, see below.]


And on the next page he states that:


  The function ${\psi^2_{100}}$ has its maximum value at $r=0$, showing that the most probable position for the electron is in the immediate neighborhood of the nucleus; that is, the chance that the electron lie in a small volume element very near the nucleus is larger than the chance that it lie in a volume element of the same size at a greater distance from the nucleus.


Don't these two statements contradict each other? $\psi^2$ versus $r$ says that the probability density is highest at $r=0$. RPDC says that the probability is highest at $r=\pu{0.529 \mathring{A}}$. Why is there such a stark difference between probability density and probability? When $r$ tends to $0+$ we observe high electron probability density (wrt the $\psi^2$ curve) but minimized electron probability (wrt the RPDF curve)

I do understand, however, that Radial Probability Distribution Curve represents probability and $\psi^2$ versus $r$ represents probability density. But why is there a difference in these two?

For reference:
It is very important to note here that $R(r)$ is just the radial part of wavefunction. Wavefunction does not describe any observable. The Born interpretation says that the probability density of finding electron between any two points $x_1$ and $x_2$ is given by
$$\rho=\psi\psi^*.$$
While the probability is 
$$P =\int_{x_1}^{x_2}{\psi\psi^* \mathrm{d}x}.$$
(This is only in one dimension. In spherical coordinates you must integrate over the volume).
Why is there a difference between these two quantities? I think it will be easier to understand using an analogy. Consider a rod of unit length in which the charge varies as a function of $x$. Say the function is 
$$q(x)=x\mathrm{e}^x-1$$
The average charge of the rod is $0$. While the average charge density of this rod is $\mathrm{e}-2$. Where average is given by 
$$\langle f \rangle=\frac{\int^{b}_{a}{f \mathrm{d}x}}{b-a}.$$
I hope you have understood the difference between function density and the function itself. The radial probability and probability density are something similar. By seeing the graphs you can to a certain extent predict the average of the probability density and probability. In the second graph it is $0$ while in the second graph it is close to the peak which is $a_0$.