Human Environment – Settlement, Transport, and Communication

Settlements are areas in which people construct their homes. They are classified into two types:

• Temporary Settlements: Temporary settlements are occupied for a brief period. These temporary settlements are more often used by people who live in dense forests, hot and cold deserts, and mountains
• Permanent Settlements: Settlements in which residents construct their own homes and live there for longer periods. Today, the majority of settlements are permanent

• Villages are rural settlements where individuals engage in agriculture, fishing, forestry, crafts, and trading, among other things. Agricultural settlements can be densely packed or dispersed

• Compact settlement: A compact settlement is a densely packed area of dwellings that exist wherever flat land is available
• Scattered settlement: A scattered settlement is one in which dwellings are spread out over a large area. This type of settlement is most prevalent in hilly terrain, dense forest, and climate-sensitive regions

• Towns are small urban settlements, whereas cities are larger urban settlements. People in urban areas work in construction, commerce, and services

Transport

It is how people and goods are moved from one place to another. Roadways, railways, waterways, and airways are the four primary modes of transportation.

Roadways

• Roads are the most frequently used mode of transport, particularly for short distances
• They are referred to as metalled (pakka) and unmetalled (kaccha) roads
• The Manali-Leh highway in the Himalayan Mountains is one of the world’s highest roads
• Subways/under paths are roads that are built underground. Flyovers are elevated structures constructed over other roads or railway lines

Railways

• Railways transport large amounts of freight and large numbers of people over long distances quickly and affordably
• India’s railway network is extensive. It is one of Asia’s most significant railway networks

Waterways

• Waterways are the most cost-effective method of transporting large, heavy, and bulky items across long distances
• They are classified primarily into two categories: inland waterways and maritime routes
• Inland waterways are made up of navigable rivers and lakes. For instance, the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system, North America’s Great Lakes, and Africa’s Nile River
• Sea and oceanic routes are primarily used to transport merchandise and goods between countries. These routes are linked to ports
• Singapore and Mumbai in Asia, New York and Los Angeles in North America, Rio de Janeiro in South America, Durban and Cape Town in Africa, Sydney in Australia, and London and Rotterdam in Europe are just a few of the world’s major ports

Airways

• This was the most advanced mode of transport in the early twentieth century
• Additionally, it is the most costly owing to the high cost of gasoline
• It is the only means of travel that can reach the most inaccessible and isolated locations, particularly those without roads or railways
• Helicopters are particularly valuable for rescuing people and providing food, water, clothing, and medications in the most remote locations and during natural disasters
• Delhi, Mumbai, New York, London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Cairo are just a few significant airports

Communication

It is the method through which people connect with others. Humans have developed new and faster forms of communication due to technological advancements. 

• Newspapers, radio, and television do broadcasting and can communicate with many people
• Satellites have accelerated communication. Additionally, satellites have aided in oil exploration, forest surveying, subsurface water mapping, mineral riches mapping, weather forecasting, and catastrophe warning
• Internet: In the age of Digitization, the internet plays a crucial role in communication. There is enormous use of the Internet, even in efficient communication for commercial purposes: like ticketing,  email communication, Instant messaging
• Telephone: The drastic change in the time taken to communicate was overcome with the invention of telephone as a means of communication 

Conclusion

The settlement, transport, and communication are the most essential commodities for the wellbeing of human life. Over the years, certain types of settlements have been established in which villages and cities are the most common and dominating. It is said that the future lies in urban settlements. Similarly, transportation makes human life easy.  It is very essential for social and economic development. India has a well-developed transportation system in which roadways and railways are most profound, whereas communication is the method through which people connect. Today, communication is on its technological advancement. Internet is the new method for effective communication. In today’s fast life, effective transportation and communication are the most essential tools for the development of a nation.