Question

Discuss how the nature of settlement of rural areas affect the type and expanse of agricultural activities in the area.

Answer 1

Answer:

The definition of a rural settlement depends on the country. In some countries, a rural settlement is any settlement in the areas defined as rural by a governmental office, e.g., by the national census bureau. This may include even rural towns. In some others, rural settlements traditionally do not include towns.

Common types of rural settlements are villages, hamlets and farms.

Traditionally, rural settlements were associated with agriculture. In modern times other types of rural communities have been developed .

The settlement where the occupation of majority of people relate to the local natural resources are called rural settlement for example, (1) settlement of fisheries along a sea coast, (2) settlement of tribal people in the forest area and (3) settlement of farmers along the banks of rivers.

Rural settlements show the reciprocal relationship of human occupance features and environment.

Explanation:

Answer 2

Rural settlements were associated with agriculture

Explanation:

There are 4 types of rural settlements: compact, semi-compact, hamleted,  and dispersed. Each is centered on its population density.

• The settlement shall be considered compact if the "number of villages" equals the "number of hamlets" in an area unit. The plateau region contains such settlements. Here intensive subsistence farming is practices. This form of agriculture is practiced in areas under high population strain on farming land . The agriculture, in which high doses of biochemicals and irrigation are used to achieve increased growth, and is labour-intensive farming
• If  more than "1/2 of the hamlets" equals the "no of villages" its is semi-compact settlement. These are found in plateaus & plains, based on the prevailing environmental conditions.  In this type of settlement extensive  farming is adopted. This farming system that requires limited inputs of labour, fertilizer & resources relative to land .
• When the "no. of villages" is equal to "1/2 the no. of hamlets", it is a hamlet settlement. The hamlets are spread throughout the area with intermediary areas, and either the main or main settlement is missing or has a weak influence on others. These settlements are found in lower valleys & plains. Here wetland farming is practiced. Wetland production depends mostly on precipitation and is therefore practiced in high precipitation or well irrigated areas.
• If the "no of villages" is less than 1/2 the "no of hamlets", the settlement is considered as dispersed.The inhabitants of scattered/dispersed villages live in isolated houses dispersed around agricultural fields. This type of settlements are found in small hills, remote jungles with little pasture & few farms. In this type of settlement subsistence farming is adopted. Subsistence agriculture comprises food production mainly for the family. A farmer will produce more of what the family needs, and anything that is leftover will go to the local community rather than a big market.