Discuss some of the ways in which the physical environment influences settlement
The term ‘physical environment’, when used in a geographical context, refers to three key factors – climate, soils and relief. These three have a significant effect in determining the settlement patterns of people in an area of land. The term ‘settlement’ refers to the patterns in which people live in an area or city, and there are different types of patterns. For example, the density, whether it’s dispersed or nucleated, the shape or form of the settlement, size and functions, and also the different scales ranging from continental (eg USA) to local (eg Kent). Physical geography in itself contrives to establish an environment and hence it can be decided whether the area is fit to live in or not. Early settlements undoubtedly relied on the physical landscape as a strong factor into deciding where they were going to locate. ... Other important physical factors deciding settlement were the proximity of bridging points (e. ... One of the three physical factors is climate, and the settlement of human beings has depended largely upon this. ... The mere fact that this part of England has a good and pleasant physical environment deviates to many other things and ultimately, the continued growth in settlement there. ... Southern Florida experiences mild winters and hot sunny summers which invariably attracts all these people to come and settle here, and it was certainly a crucial factor throughout history in determining the settlement of Americans from the C19th onwards. In Britain and especially in London, settlement has usually been favoured on the south-west of the city. This is due to the South West prevailing wind, a key physical factor. ... Therefore they are more inclined to live in the fresher South West (This is an example of how physical and socio-economic factors can become intertwined, thus proving the diverse nature of geography). Climate is a very important factor in how humans settle, and certainly patterns of settlement indicate that the climate played a significant part in it – whether on a global scale i. ... Another physical factor is the Soils and Geology of an area. ... The concept of settlement pattern and distribution applies to the Paris Basin.