Geography | Human Settlements (India – People and Economy)

Types of Settlements:

• Rural Settlements: Small-sized, closely knit communities engaged in primary activities such as agriculture, fishing, and forestry.
  • Clustered Settlements: Houses built close together, found in fertile plains and river valleys.
  • Semi-Clustered Settlements: Smaller clusters separated from the main cluster due to social and ethnic factors.
  • Hamleted Settlements: Several small, fragmented units separated by physical or social barriers.
  • Dispersed Settlements: Isolated huts or hamlets in remote areas, often due to the fragmented nature of terrain and land.
• Urban Settlements: Larger, more complex structures with non-agricultural economic activities, administrative functions, and infrastructure development.
  • Administrative Towns: Cities supporting administrative functions (e.g., New Delhi, Bhopal).
  • Industrial Towns: Cities focused on industrial activities (e.g., Mumbai, Jamshedpur).
  • Transport Cities: Ports and transport hubs (e.g., Kolkata, Chennai).
  • Commercial Towns: Centers of trade and commerce (e.g., Mumbai, Kolkata).
  • Mining Towns: Developed in mineral-rich areas (e.g., Dhanbad, Jharia).
  • Garrison Cantonment Towns: Military bases (e.g., Ambala, Jalandhar).
  • Tourist Towns: Destinations with historical or recreational significance (e.g., Shimla, Agra).

Evolution of Towns in India:

• Ancient Towns: Over 2000 years old, developed as religious and cultural centers (e.g., Varanasi, Madurai).
• Medieval Towns: Developed during the medieval period as administrative and military centers (e.g., Delhi, Agra).
• Modern Towns: Developed during the British colonial period and post-independence as trade, administrative, and industrial centers (e.g., Mumbai, Kolkata, Chandigarh).

Urbanization in India:

• Urbanization refers to the growth and development of towns and cities.
• The level of urbanization is measured by the percentage of the urban population to the total population.
• Major urban agglomerations include Greater Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Factors Influencing Settlements:

• Physical Factors: Terrain, altitude, climate, and water availability.
• Cultural and Ethnic Factors: Social structure, caste, and religion.
• Security Factors: Defense against theft and invasions.

Patterns of Urban Settlements:

• Metropolitan Cities: Cities with a population between 1 to 5 million.
• Million-Plus Cities: Cities with a population exceeding 1 million.
• Urban Agglomerations: Consist of a town and its adjoining urban outgrowths or a city and one or more adjoining towns forming a contiguous spread.

Assignments for CBSE Class 12 Geography Chapter “Human Settlements – India People and Economy”

1. Case Study Analysis: Analyze the factors influencing the growth and development of a specific urban agglomeration in India.
2. Research Project: Investigate the characteristics and evolution of rural settlements in a particular region of India.
3. Debate Preparation: Prepare for a debate on the impact of urbanization on rural communities and the environment.
4. Chart Creation: Create a flowchart illustrating the classification and characteristics of different types of rural and urban settlements.
5. Role Play: Conduct a mock city planning meeting where students represent various stakeholders discussing urban development and infrastructure.

Conclusion

The chapter “Human Settlements – India People and Economy” provides a comprehensive understanding of the classification, distribution, and characteristics of human settlements in India. It highlights the factors influencing the location and growth of settlements and the evolution of towns from ancient to modern times.