(a) Explain the term rural settlement. (b) Describe any three types of rural settlement. (c) Outline five differences between rural and urban settlements.

Answer Details

(a) Rural settlement explained

A rural settlement is a group of dwellings in the countryside where the population is small, sparsely spread and mainly engaged in primary activities such as farming, fishing, herding or lumbering, with few social amenities.

(b) Three types of rural settlement

• Nucleated (clustered) settlement: houses are grouped closely together around a central point such as a market, well or road junction.
• Dispersed (scattered) settlement: houses are spread far apart, each usually standing on its own farmland.
• Linear (ribbon) settlement: houses are strung out in a line along a road, river or valley.

(c) Five differences between rural and urban settlements