Question.
What are the bases for classifying settlements?
(Class 12 geography, Fundamentals of Human Geography, Chapter- 10. Human Settlements)
Answer.
Human settlements can be classified on several bases ( grounds). Following are some of the basis of classification;
Depending on the period of settlement;
On the basis of the period of settlements, settlements can be of two types – temporary and permanent. The transhumance (nomadic life) of some tribes of Himachal Pradesh is an example of temporary settlements. Villages, towns, cities, etc. are examples of permanent settlements.
On the basis of economic activities;
On the basis of economic activities, settlements are of two types-rural and urban settlements.
The majority of the people living in rural settlements are involved in primary activities like agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, etc. Whereas the majority of the people living in urban areas are involved in non-primary activities such as manufacturing and service sectors.
Depending on the size and pattern;
Depending on size and pattern, settlements can be dense or scattered (sparse).
In dense settlements, there are dense settlements of houses and human life. Scattered settlements have distances between two houses and also have low population density.
On the basis of population;
Based on the size of the population, the following settlements, in increasing order of population, are hamlets (smallest villages) (smallest populations), villages, towns, metropolises, and megacities (largest populations).
On the basis of function;
On the basis of function, human settlements can be classified as agricultural villages, pastoral villages, defense cities, port cities, administrative towns, mine towns, etc.
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