Geography - Settlement

• What is an urban area defined as?

  A settlement where the population is very high and has the features of a built environment
• How is a rural area characterized?

  An area located on the outskirts
• What does the term 'sphere of influence' refer to?

  The area served by a settlement
• What is the threshold population?

  The minimum number of people needed to provide a large enough demand for service
• What are low-order services?

  Services with a small threshold population (e.g., local shop, primary school)
• What are high-order services?

  Services with a large threshold population (e.g., furniture shop, university)
• What does 'site' refer to in the context of settlements?

  The land that the settlement is built on
• What does 'situation' refer to in the context of settlements?

  The position of the settlement in relation to the surrounding area
• What are the characteristics of a rural area?

  • More focused on agriculture
  • Forestry
  • Less density in the population
  • Fairly flat land
  • Less infrastructure (e.g., sewage, roads, electricity)
• What are the characteristics of an urban area?

  • Dense population
  • More/better infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, schools)
• What are the patterns of rural settlements?

  1. Nucleated

  • Social benefits of living close to neighbors
  • Easy access to services
  • Develops in areas with rich agriculture

  1. Dispersed

  • Develops in areas with poor agricultural land
  • Cultural reasons for living apart
  • Found in modern settlements like Canadian Prairies

  1. Linear

  • Access to roads or tracks for transport
  • Houses in a line next to fertile land
• What are the features of a site's location?

  • Altitude
  • Gradient of the slope
  • Water supply
• What are the features of a situation's location?

  • Transport routes
  • Agricultural productivity of the area
  • Position in relation to other settlements
• How does gradient influence the site of rural settlements?

  Gentle slopes are well-drained, easier to cultivate, and easier to build on
• What is the aspect in relation to rural settlements?

  The direction in which a slope faces
• What is the altitude of most settlements in the Tsoelike Valley, Lesotho?

  Below 2250 metres
• Why is the valley floor in Tsoelike Valley avoided for settlements?

  It is boggy, poorly drained, and liable to flooding
• What are the problems and changes faced in the Tsoelike Valley?

  • Steep terrain restricts crop farming
  • Short growing season with risks of late frosts
  • Soil erosion by wind and water
  • Crop damage from hailstorms and locusts
  • Complex land tenure system fragments land
  • Significant lack of employment opportunities
  • Labour shortages due to migration
  • Population pressure on arable land
  • Youth reluctance to work in agriculture
  • Diversified employment into forestry and public services
  • Improved main road to South African border
  • Farmer Training Centre in Qacha's Nek
• Where are services provided in relation to the Tsoelike Valley?

  In Qacha's Nek, about 15 kilometres from the Tsoelike Valley
• What is the population of Qacha's Nek?

  About 8,000
• What services are available in Qacha's Nek?

  • Shops
  • Primary and secondary schools
  • Government hospital
  • Lesotho Bank
  • Farmer Training Centre
  • Local government offices
  • Church
  • Forestry Division Offices and Nursery
  • Hotel
• What are nodal points in urban settlements?

  Nodal points are route centres where natural routeways, such as river valleys, meet.
• How do nodal points influence urban settlements?

  Nodal points develop into transport junctions, becoming the most accessible points for shops, social services, and administration.
• Why are agricultural centres important for urban growth?

  They serve as collection and marketing points for local produce and have developed transport links.
• What role do ports play in urban settlements?

  Ports allow ships to anchor and unload cargo due to the presence of deep water close to the shore.
• What geographical features enhance the functionality of ports?

  Bays and river estuaries provide shelter from strong winds and rough seas.
• What is the hinterland in relation to ports?

  The hinterland is a large area linked to the port from which goods are exported and imported.
• What is an entrepôt in the context of big ports?

  An entrepôt is where goods are imported and re-exported without paying taxes.
• What are administrative towns and cities?

  They are the capitals of different regions or the whole country where the government and civil service are based.
• What are the key features of the Central Business District (CBD)?

  • Government buildings
  • High-order retail services
  • Offices and company headquarters
  • Theatres, hotels, and restaurants
  • Old historic buildings
  • Multi-storey buildings
  • Hub of public transportation
  • Few residents
  • Functional zoning
  • Vertical zoning
  • High number of pedestrians
• What is urbanisation?

  The increasing percentage of the population living in urban areas
• What is urban-to-rural migration?

  The movement of people from towns or cities to the countryside
• What is urban-to-urban migration?

  The movement of people from one town or city to another
• What is counter-urbanisation?

  The movement of people from towns back to rural areas
• What defines a mega-city?

  A city with a population of over 10 million people
• What are green-field sites?

  New, not previously developed sites
• What are brown-field sites?

  Development on previously used land
• What are the different types of migration mentioned in the study material?

  • Urban-to-rural migration: movement from urban to rural areas
  • Urban-to-urban migration: movement from one urban area to another
  • Counter-urbanisation: movement from urban back to rural areas