Class 12 Geography – Chapter 10: Human Settlements
1. What is a human settlement?
Answer:
A human settlement is a community where people live, work, and interact. It includes rural villages and urban towns or cities with physical and social infrastructure.
2. How are human settlements classified?
Answer:
They are classified as:
- Rural settlements: agriculture-based, low density
- Urban settlements: non-agricultural, high population density, developed infrastructure
3. What are the types of rural settlements?
Answer:
Rural settlements are:
- Clustered
- Semi-clustered
- Hamleted
- Dispersed
Their patterns depend on terrain, culture, and resources.
4. What factors affect rural settlement patterns?
Answer:
Topography, soil, water availability, cultural preferences, and historical reasons influence how rural settlements are organized spatially.
5. What are urban settlements?
Answer:
Urban settlements are centers of non-agricultural activity with higher density, infrastructure, jobs, and services—classified as towns, cities, and metropolitan areas.
6. How are towns classified in India?
Answer:
Towns are:
- Statutory towns: governed by local bodies
- Census towns: defined by population, density, and workforce engaged in non-agricultural activities
7. What are the types of urban settlements based on function?
Answer:
- Administrative: capitals
- Industrial: Jamshedpur
- Commercial: Mumbai
- Transport: Agra
- Recreational: Shimla
- Cultural: Varanasi
8. What is site and situation of a settlement?
Answer:
Site: physical location (land, water)
Situation: relation to surrounding areas (roads, cities)
Both influence growth and importance.
9. What is urbanization?
Answer:
Urbanization is the increase in population living in urban areas, driven by migration, development, and economic opportunities.
10. What are problems of urban settlements?
Answer:
Overcrowding, housing shortage, traffic congestion, pollution, slums, and poor sanitation are major urban issues needing smart planning and sustainable solutions.
11. How can rural settlements be improved?
Answer:
By providing clean water, electricity, roads, education, health centers, and housing—ensuring balanced development and reducing urban migration.
12. What are smart cities?
Answer:
Smart cities use digital technology to improve infrastructure, governance, energy, and services—ensuring efficiency, sustainability, and better quality of life.
13. What is a mega city?
Answer:
A mega city has over 10 million people. Examples include Tokyo, Mumbai, and New York—centers of global finance, culture, and migration.
14. How do planned cities differ from unplanned ones?
Answer:
Planned cities have organized layouts, infrastructure, and zoning. Unplanned ones grow haphazardly, often lacking services and facing urban chaos.
15. What is the significance of transport in settlement development?
Answer:
Transport links settlements to markets, jobs, and services—promoting growth, trade, and accessibility across regions.
16. How does environment affect settlement patterns?
Answer:
Climate, terrain, water sources, and natural hazards shape settlement type, size, and structure—e.g., river valleys vs. desert areas.
17. What is hierarchy of settlements?
Answer:
It ranks settlements from small (villages) to large (cities) based on size, services, and population—showing development levels.
18. How does population density differ in rural and urban areas?
Answer:
Urban areas are densely populated due to jobs and services. Rural areas have lower density, spread out due to land-based activities.
19. What are slums? Why do they form?
Answer:
Slums are overcrowded, poorly built housing in urban areas—formed due to rapid migration, poverty, and lack of affordable housing.
20. How can sustainable settlements be promoted?
Answer:
By integrating green spaces, renewable energy, waste management, affordable housing, and public transport—balancing human needs and environmental care.