Human Geography

Human Geography

Definition

Human geography is a branch of geography that focuses on the study of people and their relationships with the environment.

Subfields

• Cultural Geography: studies the cultural aspects of human societies, including language, religion, and customs.
• Economic Geography: examines the economic aspects of human societies, including trade, industry, and development.
• Urban Geography: focuses on the study of cities and urban areas.
• Rural Geography: focuses on the study of rural areas and their relationships with urban areas.

Economic Settlements

Types of Settlements

• Rural Settlements: scattered farms, villages, and hamlets.
• Urban Settlements: cities and towns.
• Linear Settlements: settlements that develop along roads, rivers, or coastlines.
• Nucleated Settlements: settlements that develop around a central point, such as a town square.

Factors Influencing Settlement Patterns

• Physical Environment: climate, topography, and natural resources.
• Economic Factors: access to markets, transportation, and natural resources.
• Social and Cultural Factors: cultural preferences, social status, and government policies.

Economic Activities in Settlements

• Primary Sector: agriculture, mining, and forestry.
• Secondary Sector: manufacturing and construction.
• Tertiary Sector: services, including retail, tourism, and finance.

Impact of Economic Activities on Settlements

• Urbanization: growth of cities and urban areas.
• Rural-Urban Migration: movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.
• Economic Growth: development of industries and services in settlements.
• Environmental Degradation: negative environmental impacts of economic activities, such as pollution and resource depletion.

Human Geography

Definition

• Human geography focuses on the study of people and their relationships with the environment.

Subfields

• Cultural Geography: examines language, religion, and customs of human societies.
• Economic Geography: studies trade, industry, and development in human societies.
• Urban Geography: focuses on cities and urban areas.
• Rural Geography: explores rural areas and their relationships with urban areas.

Economic Settlements

Types of Settlements

• Rural Settlements: consist of scattered farms, villages, and hamlets.
• Urban Settlements: comprise cities and towns.
• Linear Settlements: develop along roads, rivers, or coastlines.
• Nucleated Settlements: form around a central point, such as a town square.

Factors Influencing Settlement Patterns

• Physical Environment: climate, topography, and natural resources affect settlement patterns.
• Economic Factors: access to markets, transportation, and natural resources shape settlements.
• Social and Cultural Factors: cultural preferences, social status, and government policies influence settlement patterns.

Economic Activities in Settlements

• Primary Sector: includes agriculture, mining, and forestry.
• Secondary Sector: encompasses manufacturing and construction.
• Tertiary Sector: comprises services, including retail, tourism, and finance.

Impact of Economic Activities on Settlements

• Urbanization: leads to the growth of cities and urban areas.
• Rural-Urban Migration: involves the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.
• Economic Growth: results in the development of industries and services in settlements.
• Environmental Degradation: occurs due to negative environmental impacts of economic activities, such as pollution and resource depletion.