Urban and rural settlements are best differentiated by their?

Urban and rural settlements are best differentiated by their population and function. Urban settlements are characterized by high population density, diverse economic activities, and a high level of infrastructure development, while rural settlements have a low population density, less diverse economic activities, and less developed infrastructure. The function of urban settlements is primarily economic and administrative, while the function of rural settlements is primarily agricultural. Therefore, a combination of population and function is the best way to differentiate between urban and rural settlements.