Human Settlements | Class 7 | Geography | Chapter 10 | Maharashtra State Board
Exploring Human Settlements: Discover the diverse types of settlements, from scattered and linear to nucleated and urban, delving into the dynamics of metropolis cities and rural communities. Join us as we unravel the intricacies of how societies organize and inhabit spaces, shaping landscapes and cultures along the way.
Questions & Answers
1. Answer in short:
1. Explain the various types of human settlements.
Ans. Scattered Settlements: These are characterized by homes spread out over a large area, often found in rural regions where residents engage in agriculture. The houses are few and far between.
Nucleated Settlements: In this pattern, buildings are grouped closely together, usually around a central feature like a church or village green. They are often located near water sources and are common in planned settlements.
Linear Settlements: These settlements form in straight lines, typically along geographical features such as roads, rivers, or coastlines. The buildings are constructed in lines, and the road often predates the settlement.
These patterns reflect how human settlements have adapted to their environment and available resources.
2. Difference between nucleated and scattered settlements.
Ans. Layout: In nucleated settlements, houses are grouped closely together, often around a central feature like a holy place, or village green. On the other hand, in scattered settlements, houses are spread out over a wide area.
Population Density: Nucleated settlements have a high population density, while scattered settlements have a sparsely distributed population.
Services: Social services are usually available in nucleated settlements, while there are usually no services in a dispersed settlement.
Location: Nucleated settlements are often close to water sources like brooks, rivulets, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc. Scattered settlements are found in areas of high relief, dense forests, grasslands, hot deserts, and extensive agricultural lands.
Job Opportunities: Nucleated settlements often have good job opportunities, while scattered settlements usually occur in locations with few, if any, job opportunities.
3. Explain in natural factors affecting the location of human settlements.
Ans. Natural factors play a crucial role in determining the location of human settlements.
Water Supply: Access to water is essential for drinking, agriculture, and industry.
Land: Flat and arable land is preferred for agriculture and building structures.
Climate: Favourable weather conditions are sought for comfort and agricultural productivity.
Soil Quality: Fertile soil is crucial for farming and can influence settlement locations.
Protection: Natural barriers like mountains can provide protection from elements and enemies.
Resources: Availability of natural resources like minerals can attract settlements.
Transportation: Proximity to rivers and crossroads can facilitate trade and movement.
These factors contribute to the suitability of a location for sustaining a human community.
4. Explain how human settlements have evolved.
Ans. Human settlements have evolved significantly over time:
From Nomadic to Permanent: Early humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers. The advent of agriculture allowed for the establishment of permanent settlements.
Development of Civilizations: These settlements grew into civilizations with complex social structures, often near water sources for irrigation and transportation.
Industrial Revolution: The industrial revolution brought about urbanization, with people moving to cities for work, leading to the growth of large urban centers.
Modern Era: Today, settlements have become complex with global networks, advanced infrastructure, and diverse economic systems.
5. Difference between a hamlet and a village.
Ans. A hamlet and a village are both types of settlements, but they differ in size, population, and the presence of certain facilities. Here are the key differences:
Size and Population: A hamlet is typically smaller than a village, with fewer houses and a smaller population. A hamlet can technically be a single house, but it’s more commonly used to define a small, rural settlement
Facilities: A village is a small collection of houses with a church and usually has more facilities than a hamlet. In contrast, hamlets don’t have churches, administrative buildings, or village halls. If they have these features, they’re considered a village.
Government District: Another meaning of a hamlet is the secondary settlement in a civil parish, which is the lowest form of government district that typically includes a few settlements.
Historical Origin: Both terms came into use during the Norman period of English history, as both have roots in Old French. The word “village” comes from the Latin “villaticum”, meaning a farmstead with outbuildings, while “hamlet” comes from the Old French word “hamlet”, meaning small village.
2. Identify the types of human settlements from the following statements:
1. Their money and time is saved by living on the farm.
Ans. Scattered settlements.
2. There is a lot of social life in this settlement.
Ans. Nucleated settlements.
3. Shops are located on both the sides of the road.
Ans. Linear settlements.
4. This settlement is found at the foothills of mountains or along the coast.
Ans. Linear settlements.
5. Each house is located away from the other.
Ans. Scattered settlement.
6. This settlement is good from security point of view.
Ans. Nucleated settlements.
7. Having houses away from each other is good for health.
Ans. Scattered settlements.
8. The houses are too close to each other.
Ans. Nucleated settlement.
3. Study the diagram and identify the types of settlements:
1. Settlement ‘A’ has 5-6 houses and the place does not have other facilities.
Ans. Scattered settlement.
2. ‘B’ has a high school, a big market and a small theatre.
Ans. Nucleated settlement.
3. ‘C’ has houses, farmers, many shops and small industries.
Ans. Linear settlement.
4. ‘D’ has a natural harbour. Many industries have been established here.
Ans. Linear settlement.
5. ‘C’ is a settlement that has developed along the road side. Give two reasons of its location here.
Ans. The reasons for settlement ‘C’ developing along the roadside are:
• It has direct and easy access to the main road which helps in easy movement of people, agricultural, industrial goods as houses, farms and small industries are found here.
• It is located at the foothill close to the main river.
E X T R A
Q.1. Fill in the blanks.
1. Human settlements flourished at places with favourable geographic conditions.
2. In the early settlements, the occupation of the people were dependent on the locally available natural resources.
3. People along the sea coast are engaged in fishing.
4. Settlements have provided man with stability.
5. In scattered settlements, houses are few and far from each other.
6. Increase in the population of rural settlements is the beginning of urbanization.
7. Linear settlements are seen along roads, railways, rivers, sea coasts and foot hill regions, etc.
8. In the deserts of Rajasthan we find nucleated settlements.
9. Rural settlement is the first step towards a stable life in human history.
10. Life in urban settlement is more dynamic.
11. Scattered settlements have limited population as in small hamlets.
2. Complete the following sentence:
1. Human settlement flourished at places with favourable geographical conditions such as ______.
Ans. availability of water, a conducive climate, fertile land, etc.
2. When rural area converts into urban area, the importance of secondary and tertiary occupations increases and _______.
Ans. the proportion of people engaged in primary occupations decline.
3. If the population and the necessary amenities increase on a large scale ______.
Ans. the urban areas grow into metropolitan cities.
4. Patterns of human settlements evolve in _______.
Ans. accordance with the natural conditions.
5. Increase in population of rural settlements is ______.
Ans. is the beginning of urbanization.
6. The day-to-day food requirement of the urban population is _______.
Ans. fulfilled by rural settlements.
7. In the deserts of Rajasthan we find _______.
Ans. nucleated settlements near assured sources of water.
8. Linear settlements are seen along _______.
Ans. roads, railways, rivers, sea coasts and in foothill regions.
9. There are large scale correlations _______.
Ans. between rural and urban settlements.
10. Urban settlements have evolved through _______.
Ans. the expansion and growth of rural settlements.
3. Identify the types of human settlements from the following statements:
1. These settlements are closer to nature; they are free from pollution.
Ans. Scattered settlements.
2. Settlements found along the coastal tracts, major rivers and national or state highways.
Ans. Linear settlements.
3. These settlements are found in fertile plains, transport hubs and mining centres, commercial centres.
Ans. Nucleated settlements.
4. These settlements have limited population and inadequate facilities.
Ans. Scattered settlements.
4. Answer in one or two sentences:
1. Where do human settlements flourish?
Ans. Human settlements flourish at places with favourable geographic conditions – such as availability of water, a conducive climate, fertile land, etc.
2. What did forest dwellers or tribal people use for their livelihood?
Ans. Forest dwellers or tribal people used forest produce for their livelihood.
3. Where do the farmer & his family live?
Ans. They live in a house built in or near the fields.
4. Which settlements are called rural settlements?
Ans. The settlements where the original occupation of the majority of the people are based on natural resources are called rural settlements.
5. When do the urban areas grow into metropolitan cities?
Ans. When the population and the necessary amenities increase on a large scale, the urban areas grow into metropolitan cities.
6. Where do we find scattered settlements?
Ans. Scattered settlements are found in the areas of high relief, dense forests, grasslands, hot deserts and extensive agricultural lands.
7. Where do we find nucleated settlements?
Ans. Nucleated settlements are generally close to water sources like brooks, rivulets, rivers, lakes reservoirs, etc.
8. Where do we see Linear settlements?
Ans. Linear settlements are seen along roads, railways, rivers, sea coasts, in foothill regions, etc.
9. What makes a city a metropolis?
Ans. A metropolis is a large city or urban area, which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region and an important hub for regional or international connections, commerce and communications.
5. Answer in short:
1. Distinguish between Scattered Settlements & Linear Settlements.
Ans. Scattered and linear settlements are two types of rural settlement patterns, each with distinct characteristics:
Scattered Settlements: Also known as dispersed settlements, these are characterized by homes and buildings that are spread out over a wide area. This pattern is often found in upland areas where agriculture or other land use practices necessitate greater distances between homes.
Linear Settlements: These settlements form a line, often along a road, river, dike, or seacoast. The linear pattern facilitates access to transportation and communication along the settlement’s axis. Buildings are constructed in a line, with agricultural land extending behind them.
Both patterns reflect the geographical, economic, and social factors influencing how a community develops and organizes its living spaces.
2. What leads to transformation of rural settlement into urban settlement? Ans. The transformation of rural settlements into urban settlements is typically driven by a combination of factors including increased population density, economic development, improvement in infrastructure and public services, and changes in land use from agricultural to residential, commercial, or industrial purposes. This process is often accompanied by a shift in the socio-cultural structure of the community as it adopts urban characteristics.
3. Describe man’s future plans in terms of settlements.
Ans. Man’s future plans for settlements focus on creating sustainable, inclusive, safe, and resilient urban environments. Key aspects include:
Multisectoral urban planning to integrate various aspects of city development.
Local financing mechanisms to support urban infrastructure.
Safe and affordable housing to ensure everyone has access to decent living conditions.
Adequate basic services like water, sanitation, and waste management.
Low-emission public transport to reduce the carbon footprint.
Participatory planning to involve communities in decision-making.
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