Classification of settlements

• Settlements are generally classified as either rural or urban.
• Rural settlements are those settlements where mostly primary activities occur.
• The majority of settlers in rural areas carry out primary activities in order to earn their living.
• These include activities like mining, farming, fishing and forestry.
• The populations of these settlements often depend on the surrounding land.
• As such settlements grow, they also increase the variety of activities and may develop into urban settlements.

A typical urban house. Harare, Zimbabwe. Image credit chronicle.co.zw

• An urban settlement is one which mainly carries out secondary and tertiary functions.
• Examples of such functions include commerce, banking, manufacturing and service provision businesses such as banking and insurance.
• Urban settlements carry out a wider ranger of services when compared to rural settlements

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