Province of the

EASTERN CAPE
EDUCATION

DIRECTORATE SENIOR CURRICULUM MANAGEMENT

(SEN-FET)
HOME SCHOOLING SELF-STUDY WORKSHEET
GEOGRAPHY GRADE 12 DATE 30 March
SUBJECT
Rural Settlement TERM 1 (Please TERM 2 (Please tick)
tick)
TOPIC REVISION CONTENT
1 week
TIME TIPS TO KEEP HEALTHY
ALLOCATION
Read through the notes and 1. WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly with soap
INSTRUCTIONS answer the questions and water for at least 20 seconds. Alternatively,
use hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at
least 60%.
2. PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING – keep a
distance of 1m away from other people.
3. PRACTISE GOOD RESPIRATORY
HYGIENE: cough or sneeze into your elbow or
tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately after
use.
4. TRY NOT TO TOUCH YOUR FACE. The
virus can be transferred from your hands to your
nose, mouth and eyes. It can then enter your
body and make you sick.
5. STAY AT HOME.

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TERMINOLOGY / DEFINITIONS:

Agenda 21 (local): A plan of action or process to ensure sustainable development

by:
• Including local communities in all decisions made.
• Using local resources wisely.
• Including indigenous knowledge.
• Developing the local community and improving the quality of life of people
alongside conservation strategies.
Break-of-bulk town/city: Where one type of transport is replaced by another type,
e.g. a harbour or port.
Central place town/city: Provides urban services to surrounding rural area.
Dispersed pattern/isolated pattern: Buildings are arranged far apart from one
another.
Dormitory town/city: A settlement which is mostly residential, as people work in a
nearby city.
Dry-point settlement: A settlement in a wet area which could be flooded and so is
situated away from the water source.
Function: Refers to the activities (primary, secondary or tertiary) that take place in
settlements.
Gap town/city: A town or city situated at a point of access over or through a
physical barrier, e.g. at a mountain pass.
Hierarchy: Ranking of places from villages to megalopolis OR ranking of functions
or orders within an urban centre.
Informal settlement: An informal or unplanned area that is occupied by people who
do not have access to formal housing and who erect dwellings on open land, usually
on the outskirts of a town. Buildings are made of cardboard, zinc, plastic or wood, or
any available materials. It is also sometimes called a squatter camp or shanty town.
Junction town/city: Where two major transport routes meet. This can be roads or
railway lines.
Land use zones: Areas in an urban area that have a specific purpose or function.
Minimum service area: The minimum area needed to maintain a settlement,
service or function.
Multifunctional: This is classified as urban because it has both secondary and
tertiary activities.
Nucleated pattern/clustered pattern: Buildings are arranged close to one another.
Pull factors (positivefactors): The qualities of an area that make people want to
move there.
Push factors (negative factors): Problems experienced in an area that make
people move away.
Range: The maximum distance people are prepared to travel to a settlement or a
function.
Rate of urbanisation: The speed at which urbanisation is taking place.
Rural depopulation: A decrease in the number of people living in rural areas as the
population ages because young people are leaving.
Rural–urban migration: People move from the rural areas in search of better
opportunities in cities.
Settlement: A group of people living on a day-to-day basis in an area that has
buildings,
communication networks and functions.

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Settlement pattern: This refers to a settlement being arranged either in a nucleated
or dispersed manner.
Site: The actual piece of land that a settlement is found on.
Situation: The settlement in relation to its surrounding environment.
Specialised town/city: A town or city with one main dominant function.
Sphere of influence: The maximum area served by a settlement or function.
Threshold population: The minimum number of people needed to maintain a
settlement or function or to keep it profitable.
Trade and transport town/city: Town or city found near to or on transport routes.
Types of towns/cities: There are three main types of towns/cities:
• Central place towns/cities.
• Trade and transport towns/cities.
–– Break-of-bulk towns/cities.
–– Junction towns/cities.
–– Gap towns/cities.
• Specialised towns/cities.
Types of settlements: These are classified as either rural or urban according to
function.
Unifunctional: This is classified as rural because it has mainly primary activities.
Urban expansion: The area that an urban area uses (physical area) increases over
time, e.g. new buildings and infrastructure.
Urban growth: The number of people living in an urban area increases by natural
increase (births minus deaths) as well as rural–urban migration.
Urban profile: The view of an urban area from the side to indicate the different land
use zones.
Urbanisation: An ever increasing percentage of the total population living in urban
areas.
Village shapes: Rural villages are classified as linear, round/square or crossroads.
Wet-point settlement: A settlement in a dry area situated near to a water source.

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STUDY TIPS: This work is really easy, and you should know it well to ensure you
get good marks in the exams on this section. This is often asked in Paper 2 as the
rural settlements and activities can be seen clearly on topographic maps.

SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPHY
TOPIC: RURAL SETTLEMENTS

SECTION B: NOTES ON CONTENT

IMPORTANT CONCEPTS AND EXPLANATIONS

1.1. RURAL AND URBAN SETTLEMENTS

Classification of settlements is done according to:
1.1.1. Size and complexity: settlements range from small single farmsteads to
large megacities in the form of a megalopolis and conurbations.
1.1.2. Settlement pattern refer to either dispersed settlements where people settle
in isolated farmsteads far from each other or clusters of people settling in a
nucleated settlement with a concentration of people and activities.
1.1.3. Function in settlement can either be mono-functional where most of the
inhabitants are involved in just one economic sector or multifunctional where
inhabitants are involved in all 4 economic sectors.
1.1.4. Urban/rural – settlements where the main economic activity falls in the
primary economic sector are usually classified as rural with mining as the
exception. Urban settlements host a variety of economic activities in different
economic sectors.

1.2. RURAL SETTLEMENTS

1.2.1. How site and situation affect the location of rural settlements
Site of settlements are determined by the following:
 Running water for domestic and agricultural use
 Availability of building material e.g. wood, rocks, grass, mud, clay
 Flat land to build on
 Grazing land
 Fertile soil for crop farming

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  Fuel for energy e.g. wood.

1.2.2. CLASSIFICATION OF RURAL SETTLEMENTS ACCORDING TO

a) Settlement pattern refer to the distribution of buildings in the settlement

Dispersed / Isolated settlements Nucleated / Clustered settlements

Farmsteads were one family occupy All other types of settlements (rural
the settlement and urban) where more people live
in close proximity

Dispersed farmsteads Nucleated villages

http://onezerosixgeographers.blogspot.com/2012/08/settlement-pattern-types.html

b) Function
All rural settlements only focus on one function e.g. farming – Mono-
functional settlements. Most inhabitants are involved in this activity.
Urban settlements are multifunctional as there are a number of economic
activities in different economic sectors where inhabitants are involved.

1.2.3. The reasons for different shapes of rural settlements to develop:

a) Round – develop around a market place or some shared / communal land
b) Linear – develops along rivers, roads, coastlines, railways or in thermal
belts in valleys.
c) Cross road – settlement develop in the form a cross to allow every one
access to the road.
d) T-shape - settlement develop in the form a T along a road junction to allow
every one access to the road.
e) Star-shaped – many roads connect and the settlement spread out along
these toads. \

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1.2.4. Land use in rural settlements
 Agricultural areas where crops and stock faming occur
 Conservation areas where the natural vegetation and habitat is conserved
with the animals of the areas
 Recreation areas – ecotourism, flying / landing strips
 Plantations / forestry
 Farm workers housing
 Rural – Urban fringe activities: airports, waterworks, waste dumps,
sewage works, informal settlements and market gardens
 Reservoirs, irrigation, fishing, hydro-electric power plants
 Hazardous activities (far from large groups of people) Toxic industries,
nuclear power stations, military camps and security areas, rubbish dumps.

2. RURAL SETTLEMENT ISSUES

2.1. Concept of rural-urban migration: People move out of rural areas due to
negative factors in the rural areas e.g. unemployment, poverty, poor services
etc. – these negative factors are referred to as push factors. The positive
factors in urban areas, which attract people to cities are called pull factors.

2.2. Concept of rural depopulation

2.2.1. Causes and consequences of rural depopulation on people and the economy
 Young adults move away and more so young men
 Elderly, women and children are left behind
 Productivity in rural areas drop
 Income declines
 Services close down as they are not supported anymore
 Poverty increases
 More people leave the rural areas
 Displacement of families and social problems

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2.2.2. Strategies to address rural depopulation
 Job creation projects in rural areas
 Decentralisation of industries
 Development corridors
 Improved basic services in rural areas
 Skills development in rural areas
 Farming related industries in rural areas
 Improved transport, health, education services
 Retirement villages in rural towns to attract people there
 Incentives for professionals and employers to settle in rural areas
 Development of eco-tourism through conservation of natural habitats and
thus creating income opportunities for the local population

You must be able to read and understand case studies that illustrate effects of rural
depopulation and strategies to address them. (Read the newspaper regularly to
keep up to date with current developments).

2.2.3. SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH RURAL SETTLEMENTS

 Access to resources is limited in rural areas as people live far apart and this
makes it difficult to offer improved services
 HIV/Aids is a major problem as people get sick and then return to family in
rural areas, which place an increased burden on the limited income of the
family and the limited health resources in rural areas.
 Land reform is necessary in South Africa inequalities exist due to apartheid
legislation of the past which prevented all people to own land
o Land reform – equitable distribution of landownership by changing laws
about ownership of land
o Land redistribution – some agricultural land must be bought and given
to black owners by the state
o Land restitution – return of land to people who fell victim to forced
removals
o Land tenure reform – to secure the residential rights of people living on
the land of other people

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NOTES AND PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR RURAL SETTLEMENTS

SETTLEMENT GEOGRAPY.
QUESTION 1Refer to the settlement hierarchy in FIGURE1.1 that shows the
classification of different types of settlements. Choose the correct answer from those
given in brackets in the statements below. Write only the answer next to the question
number (4.1.1–4.1.8) in the ANSWER BOOK.

Huge Conurbation Fewest

Large city

City

Size of Town Number of

population Small town settlements

Village

Hamlet

Tiny Isolated farmstead Most

1.1 The isolated farmhouse is (a single/multiple) building(s).

1.2 The number of settlements (increases/decreases) as you move up the
settlement hierarchy from the isolated farmstead to the conurbation.
1.3 The size of the population (increases/decreases) as you move down the
settlement hierarchy from a conurbation to an isolated farmstead.
1.4 A large city can also be called a (megalopolis/metropolis).
1.5 The settlement hierarchy in FIGURE 4.1 is a South African example of a
settlement hierarchy as the (largest/smallest) of all settlements is not
included.
1.6 The only example of a conurbation in South Africa is found in the
(PWV/Durban-Pinetown) Industrial Region.
1.7 The relationship between the size of the population and the number of
settlements is (directly/indirectly) proportional.
1.8 The (hamlet/small town) is an example of a rural settlement. (8 x 1) (8)

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QUESTION 2
FIGURE 2.1: TYPES OF SETTLEMENTS

2. Refer to FIGURE 2.1 which shows two types of settlements (A and B).
Match the settlement types A and B to the statements below.

2.1 This type of settlement is unifunctional

2.2 Associated with tertiary activities
2.3 The smallest of all the settlement types
2.4 These settlements are always nucleated
2.5 This settlement has a dispersed pattern
2.6 An overconcentration of activities
2.7 A metropolis is an example of the s type of settlement
2.8 An example of a central place (8 x 1) (8)

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QUESTION 3 RURAL SETTLEMENT PATTERNS
3. Refer to FIGURE 3.3 showing a rural settlement pattern.

3.1 Identify the rural settlement pattern in FIGURE 3.3. (1 x 1) (1)

3.2 Give ONE reason for your answer to QUESTION.3.1. (1 x 1) (1)
3.3 Identify the primary economic activity that most people
living in this settlement would be involved in. (1 x 1) (1)
3.4 State TWO possible site factors that influenced people to
live in this settlement. (2 x 2) (4)
3.5 Poor farming practices resulted in lower yields in the illustrated
landscape. Write a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines in
which you analyse the impact of poor farming practices on the
economy and rural depopulation. (4 x 2) (8)

QUESTION 4

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FIGURE :4 SETTLEMENT TYPE

Low bridge

Scale: 1 : 7 000

4.1 Name the settlement type of the village? (1 x 1) (1)

4.2 Discuss TWO disadvantages for farmers living in this village. (2 x 2) (4)
4.3 Discuss ONE advantage for farmers living in this village. (1 x 2) (2)
4.4 Write a paragraph of approximately EIGHT lines in which you
suggest sustainable measures to prevent people from leaving this
village to live in cities. (4 x 2) (8)

QUESTION 5:
Tip: Study the sketch map below properly before answering the questions. Read
the key and all labels on the map. Do not just rush to the questions.

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Refer to the figure above showing types of settlements. Identify the characteristic of
the settlements asked below or match the correct letter to the description given.

5.1 Identify the shapes of settlement A and E respectively. (1x2) (2)

5.2 Give the reason why the shapes you identified in 5.1 developed. (1x2) (2)
5.3 A settlement located away from water like C, as water is a threat, is called a …….
(1x1) (1)
5.4 . A settlement where a river meander provides protection from invasions.
(1x2) (2)
5.5. Differentiate between the site and the situation of a settlement. (2 x 2 (4)
5.6. List and describe the factors that had an influence on the site of settlement B.
(3x2) (6)
5.7 Differentiate between the settlement patterns at A and C by referring to the
advantages and disadvantages of each settlement pattern. (4x2) (8)
5.8 The settlements D and C are halfway up a south facing slope in the northern
hemisphere. Discuss the micro climatic benefits of this situation. (2 x 2) (4)
5.9. Discuss the advantages of the situation of settlement B. (2 x 2) ( 4)

QUESTION 6: RURAL DEPOPULATION

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Study the sketch above and answer the questions below. (Think what it shows)

6.1 Identify the term described by the following definitions:

6.1.1 The process where many people are leaving rural areas to find
better lives.
6.1.2 The process where more and more people in a population prefer
to stay in cities.
6.1.3 Negative things in rural areas which cause people to leave.
6.1.4 Positive things in urban areas that attract people to cities.
6.1.5 The process where functions and people cluster in one area.
(5 x 1) (5)
6.2 Write a paragraph of no more than 8 lines explaining why so many people
move out of rural areas. (4 x 2) (8)
6.3 Write a short newspaper article describing the impact of the process
illustrated in the sketch on the rural community. (4 x 2) (8)
6.4 Explain why it is important that some people stay in rural areas. (2 x 2(4)
6.5 Suggest some measures that can be taken to keep some people in the
rural areas. (3 x 2 (6)
6.6 Discuss TWO challenges the people moving to cities may experience on
their arrival in the urban areas.
(2 x 2 = 4)
6.7 Explain what the difference is between the following terms: land reform,
land redistribution, land restitution and land tenure reform. (4 x 2) (8)
6.8 Explain how land tenure reform can prevent urbanisation. (1 x 2) (2)
6.9 Give one disadvantage of land tenure reform. (1x1) (1)

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QUESTION 7:

7. Refer to the above figure illustrating the location of towns in relation to each other
and answer the questions below.
7.1. Give the term used to describe a large urban area where several towns are
joined together.
7.2. Identify the rural settlement evident in the sketch.
7.3. Will the sphere of influence of town X or Y be greater?
7.4. Give the name of the theory that explains the relative size and spacing of
settlements.
7.5. What is the term used to describe the trade and transport town X, where a
number of routes converge? (5 x 1) 5)

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