Human Environment Settlement, Transport and Communication

With the development of trade, commerce and manufacturing, human settlement becomes larger.

Settlement which is occupied for a short time is called temporary settlement.Settlements where the people build homes to live in are called permanent settlement

The natural condition for an ideal site are:

1. Favourable climate
2. Availability of water
3. Suitable land
4. Fertile soil

A compact settlement is closely built area of dwelling, where flat land is available.In scattered settlement dwelling are spaced over an extensive area. This type of settlement is mostly found in hilly tracts, thick forest and region of extreme climate.

Thick mud walled house with thatched roof are very common in areas of hot climate. Local materials like stones, mud, clay, straw are used to construct houses.

In urban areas the people are engaged in manufacturing, trading and services.

The vehicles that carry goods from one place to another are called means of transport.

Manali leh highway in the Himalayan Mountain is one of the highest roadways in the world.

The railway carries heavy goods and people over long distance quickly and cheaply.

Waterways are the cheapest for carrying heavy and bulky goods over long distance.

The important inland waterways are the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system, the great lakes in North America and the river Nile in Africa.

Sea routes and oceanic routes are mostly used for transporting merchandise and goods from one country to another. These routes are connected with ports.

Some important ports of the world are Singapore and Mumbai in Asia, Newyork, los angles in North America, Durban and Cape Town in Africa, Sydney in Australia.

It is the only mode of transport to reach the most remote and distant areas especially where there are no roads and railways. Helicopter is extremely useful in most inaccessible areas.