Question

Discuss the relation ship between physography and settlement

Answer 1

This paper evaluates the relationship between physiography and settlement geography in Union Parish, Louisiana between 1826 and 1936. Following data collection and mapping of 1325 land transactions from the United States Tract Books that represents a 25% sample, the relationship between physiography (a combination of soil fertility, elevation, and relief) and timing (year) of settlement was evaluated. To facilitate analysis, three major physiographic regions were delineated reflecting their declining suitability for crop agriculture, namely, terraces (between 30 and 40 feet), hills (above 40 feet), and floodplain (below 20 feet). The study hypothesis, based on physiographic variables determined from die parish soil survey, was that settlers would occupy the terraces first (earlier years), then the tertiary hills, and finally the alluvial soil of the floodplains (later years). The study conclusion is that settlers occupied the uplands first followed by the floodplains and terraces with flooding being a major deterrent to settlement.