Services in Current Rural Settlements
Of the world's population, rural settlements (small number of services) and urban settlements (large number of services) are almost evenly split based on where people live.
Clustered Rural Settlements: These settlements are where houses (family households) and buildings are situated near or around each other with fields surrounding the settlement. These settlements, or villages, are common throughout most of the world. In these settlements, services such as schools and churches are integral and sometimes near the center of these villages. Farmers of the villages are allocated plots of land outside the settlement and depending on the time or place, are not able to determine what crops are to be produced. There are two types of clustered rural settlements.
In early America, specifically New England, clustered settlements were established by colonists based on a common area, or "common". Houses and public buildings, such as churches, were built around the common. Farmers would have access to different plots of fields surrounding the town, or village, for diversity of crops. This set-up also helped in defending against external threats such as hostile Native American tribes.
Dispersed Rural Settlements: These settlements are characterized by a more isolated farm on a larger plot of land.
Clustered Rural Settlements: These settlements are where houses (family households) and buildings are situated near or around each other with fields surrounding the settlement. These settlements, or villages, are common throughout most of the world. In these settlements, services such as schools and churches are integral and sometimes near the center of these villages. Farmers of the villages are allocated plots of land outside the settlement and depending on the time or place, are not able to determine what crops are to be produced. There are two types of clustered rural settlements.
1. Circular: these types are defined by their central open area surrounded by houses and farms. Today, only Sub-Saharan Africa really uses this system.
2. Linear: these types are defined by strips of arable land extending away from the houses for easier access to rivers and roads. Also called long lot, this system was used by the French in Louisiana and Quebec.
2. Linear: these types are defined by strips of arable land extending away from the houses for easier access to rivers and roads. Also called long lot, this system was used by the French in Louisiana and Quebec.
In early America, specifically New England, clustered settlements were established by colonists based on a common area, or "common". Houses and public buildings, such as churches, were built around the common. Farmers would have access to different plots of fields surrounding the town, or village, for diversity of crops. This set-up also helped in defending against external threats such as hostile Native American tribes.
Dispersed Rural Settlements: These settlements are characterized by a more isolated farm on a larger plot of land.
1. United States: As stated in early America, the clustered rural settlements of the early colonists in New England changed to the dispersed method in other areas for several reasons. Although having a diversity of crops was desired, the different parcels of land made travel time longer and more construction of roads and storehouses were needed. Therefore, in the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest moved to the dispersed method. This method became desirable due to larger amounts of land being held by a single family or individual. With larger land meant more autonomy for types of crops and methods in producing those crops.
2. United Kingdom: From the mid-1700s to mid-1800s, the enclosure movement became dominant. This movement was the consolidation of small parcels, or oddly shaped lots) of land into larger farms owned by a single farmer. This made producing and harvesting more efficient through the use of farm machinery on a mass scale although it did have a negative impact on the culture of the villages.
2. United Kingdom: From the mid-1700s to mid-1800s, the enclosure movement became dominant. This movement was the consolidation of small parcels, or oddly shaped lots) of land into larger farms owned by a single farmer. This made producing and harvesting more efficient through the use of farm machinery on a mass scale although it did have a negative impact on the culture of the villages.
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Related Links: Services in Current Rural and Urban Settlements Quiz Services in Current Urban Settlements AP Human Geography Quizzes AP Human Geography Notes |