What are rural and urban settlements? Mention their characteristics.

Answer

Rural Settlements: These are the dwelling places of people who directly or indirectly depend on land. They are dominated by primary activities such as agriculture, fishing etc.
Characteristics:

1. The people are engaged in agriculture, fishing and other primary activities.

2. They are settled along sea coast, rivers and canals.

3. Rural settlements are smaller in size.

4. The rural settlements lack the modern facilities.

5. The density of population is not very high.

Urban Settlement: Urban settlement is a form of dwelling place in which most of the people are engaged in industry, trade and transportation.
Characteristics:

1. In urban settlement activities of people are limited within the built area.

2. Urban settlements are large in size.

3. The density of population is high.

4. In urban settlements, people have got facilities of roads, electric power, water supply etc.

5. Industry, trade, administration are the main occupations of the people.