Chapter 10 – Human Settlements

Maharashtra Board Textbook Solutions for Standard Seven

Q.1. Answer in Short

1. Explain the various types of human settlements.

Ans: The various types of human settlements are:

  1. Scattered Settlements
  2. Nucleated Settlements
  3. Linear Settlements

1) Scattered Settlements

  1. Houses are found in areas of high relief, dense forests, grasslands, hot deserts, etc.
  2. Houses are far apart and the population is limited.
  3. Since these settlements are closer to nature, they are free from pollution.
  4. Facilities and services are not easily available here.

2) Nucleated Settlements

  1. These settlements develop close to water resources.
  2. Fertile plains, transport hubs, mining centres, and commercial centres help in their development.
  3. Social services and facilities are available here.
  4. People of different castes, religions, races, and ideologies live together, leading to better social life.

3) Linear Settlements

  1. These settlements develop along rivers, seacoasts, roads, or railways.
  2. Houses are arranged in a single line and may later grow into multiple lines.
  3. Roads are generally parallel to each other.

2. Differentiate between Nucleated and Scattered Settlements

Nucleated SettlementsScattered Settlements
Houses are close to each other.Houses are far from each other.
They are close to water bodies like brooks, rivulets, lakes, etc.They are found in areas of high relief, dense forests, grasslands, hot deserts, etc.
Social services are available here.Facilities and services are not adequate.
Some pollution may be present due to transport hubs and mining centres.These are closer to nature and are free from pollution.

3. Explain the natural factors affecting the location of human settlements.

Ans:

Human settlements flourish in areas with favourable geographical conditions such as availability of water, suitable climate, and fertile land.

  1. People living along the seacoast are engaged in fishing, and their settlements become fishing hamlets.
  2. Forest dwellers or tribal people depend on forest products and live in tribal hamlets.
  3. Agriculture is practised in fertile regions, and farmers build their houses in or near their fields.
  4. Over time, such settlements gradually grow bigger.

4. Explain how human settlements have evolved.

Ans:

  1. Human beings started settlements by using resources from their surroundings. Settlements flourished in areas with favourable conditions such as water and fertile land.
  2. In early settlements, occupations depended on locally available natural resources. For example, people living near the sea became fishermen.
  3. In fertile areas, agricultural settlements developed near fields and gradually expanded. Agriculture and fishing are common occupations in rural settlements.
  4. With time, associated occupations developed, and people from nearby areas migrated, increasing the rural population.
  5. The growth of secondary and tertiary occupations led to the transformation of rural settlements into urban settlements.

5. Differentiate between a Hamlet and a Village

HamletVillage
People engaged in a particular occupation live in a hamlet.Villages are larger than hamlets and have people of different occupations.
Hamlets are small in size.Villages are bigger in size.
People generally follow the same occupation.People of various occupations live together, and the settlement grows in size.

Q.2. Identify the types of human settlements from the following statements.

  1. Their money and time are saved by living on the farm.
    Ans: Farmers in scattered settlements.
  2. There is a lot of social life in this settlement.
    Ans: Nucleated settlements.
  3. Shops are located on both sides of the road.
    Ans: Linear settlements.
  4. This settlement is found at the foothills of mountains or along the coast.
    Ans: Scattered settlement.
  5. Each house is located away from the other.
    Ans: Scattered settlement.
  6. This settlement is good from a security point of view.
    Ans: Nucleated settlements.
  7. Having houses away from each other is good for health.
    Ans: Scattered settlement.
  8. The houses are very close to each other.
    Ans: Nucleated settlements.

Q.3. Study the diagram and identify the types of settlements.

  1. Settlement ‘A’ has 5–6 houses and does not have other facilities.
    Ans: Scattered settlement.
  2. ‘B’ has a high school, a big market, and a small theatre.
    Ans: Nucleated settlements.
  3. ‘C’ has houses, farms, many shops, and small industries.
    Ans: Linear settlements.
  4. ‘D’ is a natural harbour, and many industries have been established there.
    Ans: Linear settlements.

‘C’ is a settlement that has developed along the roadside. Give two reasons for its location here.

Ans:

‘C’ is an example of a Linear Settlement.

  1. Transport facilities are easily available along the road, which helps in trade and communication.
  2. Such settlements can quickly develop into villages due to the availability of shops and road, railway, or river transport facilities.
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