Class 12 Geography chapter 2 question answer Human Settlements

Class 12 Geography chapter 2 ncert solutions: Human Settlements class 12 question answer

Textbook	Ncert
Class	Class 12
Subject	Geography
Chapter	Chapter 2
Chapter Name	Human Settlements class 12 ncert solutions
Category	Ncert Solutions
Medium	English

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Question 1: Choose the right answers of the following from the given options.

Question 1.(i): Which one of the following towns is NOT located on a river bank?
(a) Agra
(b) Bhopal
(c) Patna
(d) Kolkata

Answer 1.(i): (b) Bhopal

Question 1.(ii): Which one of the following is NOT the part of the definition of a town as per the census of India?
(a) Population density of 400 persons per sq km.
(b) Presence of municipality, corporation, etc.
(c) More than 75% of the population engaged in primary sector.
(d) Population size of more than 5,000 persons.

Answer 1.(ii): (c) More than 75% of the population engaged in primary sector.

Question 1.(iii): In which one of the following environments does one expect the presence of dispersed rural settlements?
(a) Alluvial plains of Ganga
(b) Arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan
(c) Lower valleys of Himalayas
(d) Forests and hills in north-east

Answer 1.(iii): (d) Forests and hills in north-east

Question 2: Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

Question 2.(i): What are garrisson towns? What is their function?

Answer 2.(i): Garrison towns are settlements that are primarily established to house military troops and serve as strategic defense locations. These towns are typically built near borders, in contested regions, or in areas of geopolitical importance.

The primary function of garrison towns is to serve as bases for military operations, providing accommodation, training facilities, and logistical support for armed forces. Additionally, they act as hubs for maintaining security and projecting power in the surrounding region.

Over time, some garrison towns may evolve to include civilian populations and economic activities, but their military role often remains central to their identity. Examples of garrison towns include Ambala and Jalandhar in India.

Question 2.(ii): What are the main factors for the location of villages in desert regions?

Answer 2.(ii): Desert regions are characterized by aridity that is lack of water, hence scanty vegetation which is xerophytic in nature. Main factor in the desert for settlement patterns is supply of water. In Rajasthan in India there tend to be clustered settlements around oasis and other regions of water availability. Since these are the only few regions where water is available, therefore settlement around the water source become clustered and is the main driving force for habitation.

Question 3: Answer the following questions in not more than 150 words.

Question 3.(i): Discuss the features of different types of rural settlements. What are the factors responsible for the settlement patterns in different physical environments?

Answer 3.(i): Features of Different Types of Rural Settlements

1. Clustered Settlements:
   • Features: Houses are closely packed together, forming a cluster. Such settlements usually have a central point like a temple, market, or water source.
   • Examples: Found in fertile plains like the Ganga-Yamuna doab.
   • Reasons: High population density, fertile land, and availability of water encourage people to live close together.
2. Semi-Clustered Settlements:
   • Features: Houses are more scattered than in clustered settlements but are still grouped in smaller clusters.
   • Examples: Found in transition zones between plains and hilly regions.
   • Reasons: Social or ethnic divisions and the availability of fragmented land for cultivation.
3. Hamleted Settlements:
   • Features: Consist of small, separate clusters of houses called hamlets, often spread across a large area.
   • Examples: Common in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
   • Reasons: Fragmented topography, uneven distribution of resources, and land ownership patterns.
4. Dispersed Settlements:
   • Features: Houses are isolated and located far apart from each other, often surrounded by agricultural land.
   • Examples: Found in hilly regions, forests, and desert areas, like northeast India and parts of Rajasthan.
   • Reasons: Difficult terrain, low population density, and limited arable land.

Factors Responsible for Settlement Patterns

1. Physical Environment:
   • Topography: Plains encourage clustered settlements, while hilly and forested areas lead to dispersed patterns.
   • Climate: Extreme climates like deserts (arid regions) or heavy rainfall (forests) result in dispersed settlements.
2. Water Availability: Areas near rivers or lakes often develop clustered settlements due to the importance of water for domestic and agricultural use.
3. Soil Fertility: Fertile land supports dense populations and clustered settlements, while infertile land results in dispersed patterns.
4. Cultural and Social Factors: Ethnic and social divisions may lead to hamleted or semi-clustered patterns.
5. Economic Activities: Areas with intensive agriculture, trade, or industry tend to have clustered settlements, while subsistence farming or pastoralism encourages dispersion.
6. Historical and Political Factors: Areas prone to invasions or conflicts may have scattered settlements for safety. Similarly, colonial policies influenced settlement patterns in some regions.

Question 3.(ii): Can one imagine the presence of only one-function town? Why do the cities become multi-functional?

Answer 3.(ii): No, one cannot imagine the presence of only one-function town. A town cannot grow on one function.

Certain towns and cities perform specialised services and functions and they are known for some specific activities, products or services such as Ambala and Jalandhar are cantonment towns. But this does not mean they does not perform other function. These towns have universities, offices and many other institutions which have another functions. Thus, these town are multi-functional towns.

The cities are not static in their function. The functions change due to their dynamic nature. Even specialised cities, as they grow into metropolises become multifunctional wherein industry, business, administration, transport, etc. become important. The functions get so intertwined that the city cannot be categorised in a particular functional class.