SETTLEMENT HIERARCHIES & FUNCTIONS Flashcards
Describe the characteristics of low order goods.
These goods cost little to buy and people are only willing to travel a small distance to purchase them. This is because they are purchased frequently.
Give examples of low order goods
Milk and newspapers.
Define the term sphere of influence.
The area served by a settlement, shop or service.
Define the term threshold population.
The minimum number of people needed to ensure that a specific service (e.g. school or shop) will be able to operate.
Define the term range of goods.
The maximum distance that people are prepared to travel from a specific service.
Define the term retail.
The sale of goods usually in a shop to the general public.
Define the term comparison good.
Comparison Goods/Services: these are high-order (usually expensive) goods such as antiques, jewellery, and some clothing and electrical equipment. They are called comparison goods because people like to compare prices, quality and other features before buying them. Comparison goods are usually sold in shops in city centres or large out-of-town shopping centres. People visit comparison shops only occasionally so they need a large market area.
Define the term convenience good.
It is a good that you buy locally and is cheap to purchase.
Define the term settlement hierarchies.
The arrangement of settlements within a given area in an order of importance. Based on population, sphere of influence or range of goods and services.
What type of settlement is found at the top of a settlement hierarchy.
Megacity / capital city / conurbation.
What type of settlement is found at the bottom of the settlement hierarchy.
Hamlet or isolated farmhouse.
Which of these services is of a higher order - a primary or secondary school.
Secondary school.
Describe how the number of settlements changes as you move up the settlement hierarchy.
The number becomes smaller.
Compare the sphere of influence of a department store to a corner shop.
It would be larger.
Define the term department store.
A large store that sells a variety of high order goods.
