(a) Highlight any four differences between urban... | WAEC SSCE - Geography - 2012 (Essay)

Question 1 Report

(a) Highlight any four differences between urban and rural settlements.

(b) Outline any four favourable conditions for the growth of settlements.

Answer

Answer Details

(a) Four differences between urban and rural settlements

Urban settlement	Rural settlement
Has a large population and high population density.	Has a small population and low population density.
People engage mainly in secondary and tertiary activities (industry, trade, services).	People engage mainly in primary activities such as farming, fishing and lumbering.
Has well-developed social amenities such as pipe-borne water, electricity, good roads, hospitals and schools.	Has few or poorly developed social amenities.
Buildings are many, large, closely packed and often storeyed.	Buildings are few, small and widely spaced.
Land is expensive and used intensively.	Land is relatively cheap and abundant.

(b) Four favourable conditions for the growth of settlements

Availability of water: A reliable supply of fresh water for domestic, agricultural and industrial use attracts and sustains settlement.
Fertile soil: Good soils for farming encourage people to settle and produce food.
Good transport and accessibility: Sites with good roads, railways or navigable rivers attract people and trade.
Availability of employment/industries: The presence of industries, mines or commercial activities that provide jobs draws people to settle.
Security and level land: Peaceful, secure areas with gentle, well-drained relief that is easy to build on encourage settlement growth.

(a) Highlight any four differences between urban and rural settlements. (b) Outline any four favourable conditions for the growth of settlements.