factors that affect the location of early settlements

Question 1

factors (9)

Answer 1

1. water
2. avoidance of natural hazards
3. building materials
4. food supply
5. relief/elevation
6. defence
7. fuel supply
8. resources
9. accessibility

Question 2

water supply

Answer 2

• nearby guaranteed supply is essential as water is need and is heavy to carry for long distances
• rivers were sufficiently clean to ensure a safe and permanent supply
• region where rainfall is limited or unreliable, people settled where ground water was near to the surface enabling shallow wells to be dug

Question 3

avoidance of natural hazards

Answer 3

• where it is likely to flood or where there was stagnant water, settlements were usually built above the highest water level mark

Question 4

building materials

Answer 4

-materials were heavy n bulky and teamsport was poorly developed

THUS

• it was important to build settlements close to a supply of stone/wood/clay

Question 5

food supply

Answer 5

• an area that was suitable for both the rearing of animals and the growing of crops
• quantity and quality and range of farm produce often depended upon climate, soil fertility and soil type

Question 6

relief

Answer 6

• relief = height (elevation) + gradient (slope) of land
• landforms affect the relief of the land (plain, valley, foot of hill, top of hill)
• flat, low-laying land is easier to build on compared to steeper and higher ground
• higher grounds aid in defence by providing a birds eye view and thus allowing upcoming enemy attacks to be easily spotted

Question 7

relief = height (elevation) + gradient (slope) of land

Answer 7

height
. low = blw 100m
. high = abv 100m

slope
. flat/gentle
. moderate
. steep

Question 8

defence

Answer 8

• many early British settlements were on hilltops, along recognised trade routes and in commanding positions
• another classic defensive site was to be surrounded by water thay formed a moat on three sides (Chiang Mai, Thailand)

these provided defence from attacks

Question 9

feul supply

Answer 9

• fuel is needed for cooking purposes amd warmth around rhe world
• firewood was the main source of fuel and still is for many of the LDC

Question 10

resources

Answer 10

• places with acces to specific local resources (salt, iron ore, coal)

Question 11

mining towns

Answer 11

• may develop so that it is easier for miners to go to word
• usually well connected to transport network

Question 12

accessibility

Answer 12

• settlements develop where natural route ways converged
• confluence settlements
  . developed where 2 or 3 rivers meet
  (confluence)
  . developed where valley routes
  converged