Question

What is human settlement
Why it is important

Answer 1

Human settlements are of extreme social and economic importance. ... The impact of human settlements on the environment increases with population growth, settlementexpansion, economic growth and increased consumption. All indications are that the impact of human settlements on environmental resources is increasing.

Answer 2

1. Settlements are places where people(humans) build their homes.
2. Early human beings lived on trees and in caves. When they started to grow crops it became necessary to have a permanent home.
3. The settlements grew near the river valleys as water was available and land was fertile.
4. With the development of trade, commerce and manufacturing, human settlements became larger.
5. Settlements can be permanent or temporary.
6. Settlements which are occupied for a short period of time are called temporary settlements.
7. More and more settlements today are permanent settlements. In these settlements, people build homes to live in.
8. Settlements can further be divided into two more parts, compact settlements and scattered settlements.

COMPACT SETTLEMENTS:

• They are closely packed together.
• Made on flat land because more population stays on plains.
• Easier to make compact settlements on plains.

SCATTERED SETTLEMENTS

• They are spaced over an extensive area.
• Mostly found in hills and mountains because of low population.
• Difficult to make compact settlements on hilly regions.

Human settlements are of extreme social and economic  importance, although they cover only seven  per cent of the total area of the country, their environmental  impact is huge.