Question

Observe the two satellite images given below. Describe the settlements with respect to physiography. Considering the physiography, where could these settlements be located? Find out their settlement pattern and limitations with respect to their future growth.

Answer 1

Both the satellite images depict the different images of the same area in a different period of time. In both instances, the area has desert-like physiography. Thus the settlements found in the region would be scattered. Scattered/dispersed settlements are those in which the habitation regions are isolated or located far away from each other. They are mostly found in the plateaus, deserts, hilly or forested areas.

The major limitations of the scattered settlement are:

• A threat to security: Since the people residing nearby are scattered, there will be serious security issues in the area.
• Isolation: The people residing in the area may experience isolation due to the lack of proper neighbours in the pattern of dispersed settlement.
• Poor transportation: The transportation network in the displaced settlement will be very poor owing to the topography of the region. This will be a very serious challenge to future development.
• Difficult to tackle emergency situations: In the scattered settlement, it becomes very difficult to get emergency relief, rescue and aid in case of any accidents or calamities.