Population and Settlement – Detailed Summary | Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science | Term 1 Geography

Population and Settlement – Detailed Summary

Book: Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science

Term: Term 1

Subject: Geography

Unit: Unit 3

Lesson Name: Population and Settlement

About the Lesson

“Population and Settlement” is an important Geography lesson in the Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science book. This lesson explains human population, races, languages, religions, migration and different types of settlements.

Geography is not only about landforms, climate and natural resources. It also studies people, their distribution, culture, language, occupation and settlements. This part of Geography is called Human Geography.

Learning Objectives

To understand the meaning of population.
To learn the major human races of the world.
To understand language as a force of socialisation.
To know the classification of religions.
To learn the meaning of migration.
To understand the meaning of settlement.
To know the types and patterns of rural settlements.
To understand urban settlements and their classification.
To learn the difference between city, metropolis, conurbation and megalopolis.
To understand smart city and satellite town.

Detailed Summary of the Lesson

1. Introduction

Population means the people living in a particular place at a particular time.

The study of population is important because people are the most valuable resource of a country. Population influences economic activities, settlement patterns, transport, education, culture, language and social development.

2. Human Geography

Human Geography is the branch of Geography that studies human beings and their relationship with the environment.

It studies population, settlements, culture, language, religion, occupation, migration and economic activities.

3. Physical Geography and Human Geography

Physical Geography studies natural features such as landforms, climate, soil, water and vegetation.

Human Geography studies people, their activities, culture, settlements, occupations and relationship with nature.

4. Meaning of Population

Population refers to the total number of people living in a particular region.

A country’s population is affected by birth rate, death rate and migration.

5. Importance of Population Study

Population study helps us understand where people live, why they live there, what language they speak, what religion they follow and how settlements grow.

It also helps governments plan schools, hospitals, roads, jobs, houses, transport and other public facilities.

6. World Population Day

World Population Day is observed on 11th July.

It creates awareness about population growth, population distribution and population-related issues.

7. Race

Race refers to a group of people who share certain physical features.

Earlier, people were classified into major races based on physical appearance such as skin colour, hair, eyes and facial features.

8. Classification of Races

The major world human races are:

Caucasoid
Negroid
Mongoloid
Australoid

9. Caucasoid Race

Caucasoid race is also known as the European race.

This is an important one-mark question from the textbook-back exercise.

10. Negroid Race

Negroid race is also known as the African race.

People belonging to this group are mainly associated with Africa in textbook classification.

11. Mongoloid Race

Mongoloid race is known as the Asian-American race.

This is another important one-mark question from the textbook-back exercise.

12. Australoid Race

Australoid race is associated with Australia.

This classification is used in the textbook-back matching section.

13. India and Racial Mixing

India is considered a land of racial mixing from prehistoric times.

Different groups came to India at different periods. India’s population includes people of varied physical features, languages, religions and cultures.

14. Language

Language is a great force of socialisation.

It may be written or oral. It is the most common form of communication among people.

15. Importance of Language

Language promotes the transmission of ideas.

It also helps in the functioning of political, social and religious systems. Language connects people and preserves culture.

16. Linguistic Stock

Linguistic stock is a group of language families sharing features and origin.

This is an important fill-in-the-blank point from the textbook-back exercise.

17. Dravidian Languages

Dravidian languages are spoken mainly in South India.

Important Dravidian languages are Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu.

18. International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day is observed on 21st February.

It promotes linguistic and cultural diversity.

19. Official Language of India

The textbook-back one-mark answer gives Hindi as the official language of India.

Students should remember this as a direct textbook answer.

20. Religion

Religion is an important part of human culture.

It influences beliefs, festivals, traditions, places of worship, customs and social life.

21. Classification of Religion

Religion is classified into three major types:

Universalising Religions
Ethnic Religions
Tribal or Traditional Religions

22. Universalising Religions

Universalising religions try to appeal to all people in the world.

They spread through teaching, preaching, missionaries and religious activities.

23. Ethnic Religions

Ethnic religions are closely connected with a particular ethnic group or region.

They are usually linked to the culture and tradition of a community.

24. Tribal or Traditional Religions

Tribal or traditional religions are followed by tribal groups and traditional communities.

They often include nature worship, ancestor worship and local customs.

25. Places of Worship

Different religions have different places of worship.

Buddhism – Vihara
Jainism – Basadi
Judaism – Synagogue
Zoroastrianism – Agiyari

26. World Religious Day

World Religious Day is observed on the third Sunday in January every year.

It reminds people about religious understanding and harmony.

27. World Cultural Diversity Day

World Cultural Diversity Day is observed on 21st May.

It highlights the importance of cultural diversity in the world.

28. Migration

Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another.

The study of movements and mobility of population is called migration.

29. Causes of Migration

People migrate for different reasons.

Employment opportunities
Education
Marriage
Better living conditions
Natural disasters
War or conflict
Water scarcity
Industrial development

30. Settlement

A settlement is a place where people live and interact through activities such as agriculture, trade and entertainment.

Settlements may be temporary or permanent. They may be rural or urban.

31. Rural Settlement

Rural settlements are settlements where most people depend on primary activities.

Agriculture, fishing, lumbering, hunting, gathering and animal rearing are important rural activities.

32. Location of Rural Settlements

Rural settlements are usually located near water bodies.

People prefer rivers, lakes, springs and fertile lands because water and agriculture are important for rural life.

33. Factors Influencing Rural Settlement

Availability of water.
Fertile land for agriculture.
Suitable climate.
Transport facilities.
Security.
Occupation of people.
Religious and social factors.

34. Types of Rural Settlements

Rural settlements are mainly classified based on the arrangement of houses.

Compact settlement
Dispersed settlement
Linear settlement
Circular settlement
Star-like settlement
Rectangular settlement
Pilgrim settlement

35. Compact Settlement

In compact settlements, houses are closely built together.

Such settlements are common in fertile plains and agricultural regions. South India is associated with compact settlement in textbook matching.

36. Dispersed Settlement

In dispersed settlements, houses are spaced far apart.

They are common in hilly areas, deserts and areas with scattered agriculture. The Nilgiris and Himalayas are examples related to dispersed settlements.

37. Linear Settlement

Linear settlements develop along roads, rivers, railway lines or canals.

Houses are arranged in a line because people settle along transport routes or water sources.

38. Circular Settlement

Circular settlements develop around a central feature.

They may develop around a lake, tank, temple or open space. Seacoast is matched with circular settlement in textbook matching.

39. Star-like Settlement

Star-like settlements develop where roads meet from many directions.

Haryana is associated with star-like pattern in the textbook-back matching section.

40. Rectangular Settlement

Rectangular settlements develop where roads or fields are arranged in a rectangular pattern.

The Sutlej-Ganga plain is associated with rectangular settlement pattern.

41. Pilgrim Settlement

Pilgrim settlements come up around places of worship.

Thiruverkadu in Tamil Nadu is given as an example of pilgrim settlement.

42. Old House Types

In the early periods of settlement, houses were built using local materials.

In agricultural regions, houses were built with mud walls. Roofs were made of stalks of paddy, grass or thatch. Local wood was used for roof frames.

43. Urban Settlement

Urban settlements are settlements where most people are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities.

Industries, trade, transport, communication, education, administration and services are important urban activities.

44. Basis of Urban Settlement Classification

Urban settlements are classified on the basis of:

Size of population
Occupational structure
Administration

45. City

A city is a large urban settlement.

It has more population, more services, better transport, hospitals, schools, colleges, industries and markets than a town.

46. Metropolis

A metropolis is a very large city with a large population and many urban functions.

It acts as an important centre for trade, industry, administration, education and transport.

47. Conurbation

A conurbation is a large urban area formed when many towns and cities grow and merge together.

It is bigger than a metropolis.

48. Megalopolis

Megalopolis is a large conurbation formed when two or more large cities whose total population exceeds ten million grow together.

Washington D.C. and Kolkata are given as examples in the guide.

49. Hierarchy of Settlements

Settlements can be arranged according to size and importance.

The correct order from smaller to larger urban settlement is:

City → Metropolis → Conurbation → Megalopolis

50. Satellite Town

A satellite town is a town designed to house the overpopulation of a major city.

It is located outside the limits of that major city. Patna, Barauni, Varanasi and Hajipur are examples mentioned in the guide.

51. Smart City

A smart city is an urban region advanced in infrastructure, real estate, communication and market availability.

Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Jaipur and Surat are examples of smart cities.

52. Importance of Settlements

Settlements are important because they show how people live, work and interact with the environment.

They also reflect the culture, occupation, transport, economy and social life of people.

Central Idea of the Lesson

The central idea of the lesson is that population and settlements are important parts of Human Geography. People differ in race, language, religion, culture and occupation. They move from one place to another through migration. They live in different types of settlements based on water, land, occupation, transport and administration. Rural settlements are mainly connected with primary activities, while urban settlements are connected with industries, trade and services.

Major Human Races

Race	Also Known As
Caucasoid	European race.
Negroid	African race.
Mongoloid	Asian-American race.
Australoid	Australian race.

Language and Important Days

Topic	Important Point
Language	A great force of socialisation and communication.
Linguistic Stock	Group of language families sharing features and origin.
Dravidian Languages	Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu.
International Mother Language Day	21st February.
World Cultural Diversity Day	21st May.
World Population Day	11th July.
World Religious Day	Third Sunday in January every year.

Classification of Religion

Type	Meaning
Universalising Religions	Religions that try to appeal to all people of the world.
Ethnic Religions	Religions connected with a particular ethnic group or region.
Tribal or Traditional Religions	Religions followed by tribal and traditional communities.

Places of Worship

Religion	Place of Worship
Buddhism	Vihara.
Jainism	Basadi.
Judaism	Synagogue.
Zoroastrianism	Agiyari.

Rural and Urban Settlement

Rural Settlement	Urban Settlement
Most people are engaged in primary activities.	Most people are engaged in secondary and tertiary activities.
Agriculture, fishing, lumbering and animal rearing are common.	Industry, trade, transport, administration and services are common.
Usually found near water bodies and fertile lands.	Usually develops near transport, industries, markets and administrative centres.
Population is smaller.	Population is larger.

Types and Patterns of Rural Settlement

Settlement Type	Important Point
Compact Settlement	Houses are closely built together.
Dispersed Settlement	Houses are spaced far apart.
Linear Settlement	Houses develop along roads, rivers, canals or railway lines.
Circular Settlement	Houses develop around a central feature.
Star-like Settlement	Settlement develops where roads meet from different directions.
Rectangular Settlement	Settlement follows a rectangular pattern of roads or fields.
Pilgrim Settlement	Settlement comes up around a place of worship.

Textbook Matching: Settlement Patterns

Place / Region	Settlement Pattern
Sutlej-Ganga Plain	Rectangular pattern.
Nilgiris	Dispersed settlement.
South India	Compact settlement.
Seacoast	Circular settlement.
Haryana	Star-like pattern.

Urban Settlement Hierarchy

Settlement	Meaning
City	Large urban settlement with many services and functions.
Metropolis	Very large city with important urban functions.
Conurbation	Large urban area formed when many towns and cities merge together.
Megalopolis	Large conurbation with total population exceeding ten million.

Order of Urban Settlement Size

Correct Order	Explanation
City → Metropolis → Conurbation → Megalopolis	This is the correct order from smaller to larger urban settlement.

Smart City and Satellite Town

Term	Meaning	Examples
Smart City	Advanced city with good infrastructure, communication and market facilities.	Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Jaipur, Surat.
Satellite Town	Town designed to house the overpopulation of a major city and located beyond its limits.	Patna, Barauni, Varanasi, Hajipur.

Important Exam Points from the Lesson

Question Focus	Answer
Caucasoid race is also known as	European race.
Mongoloid race is known as	Asian-American race.
Official language of India	Hindi.
Rural settlements are located near	Water bodies.
Correct order of urban settlements	City, Metropolis, Conurbation, Megalopolis.
Bushmen mainly found in	Kalahari Desert in South Africa.
Linguistic stock is a group of	Language family sharing features and origin.
Most people engaged in secondary and tertiary activities	Urban settlement.
Towns located outside rural-urban fringe	Satellite towns.
Settlement around a place of worship	Pilgrim settlement.
World Population Day	11th July.
International Mother Language Day	21st February.
World Cultural Diversity Day	21st May.
World Religious Day	Third Sunday in January every year.
Mumbai is a megacity because	It has a population of more than 10 million people.

Vocabulary to Remember

Population – total number of people living in a place.
Human Geography – branch of Geography that studies people and their activities.
Race – group of people with certain physical features.
Caucasoid – European race.
Negroid – African race.
Mongoloid – Asian-American race.
Australoid – Australian race.
Language – written or oral form of communication.
Linguistic Stock – group of language families sharing features and origin.
Religion – system of beliefs and worship.
Migration – movement of people from one place to another.
Settlement – place where people live and interact.
Rural Settlement – settlement mainly connected with primary activities.
Urban Settlement – settlement mainly connected with secondary and tertiary activities.
Compact Settlement – houses built close to one another.
Dispersed Settlement – houses built far apart.
Linear Settlement – settlement developed along roads, rivers or railways.
Pilgrim Settlement – settlement around a place of worship.
City – large urban settlement.
Metropolis – very large city.
Conurbation – large urban area formed by merging towns and cities.
Megalopolis – very large conurbation with population above ten million.
Satellite Town – town located outside a major city to reduce its population pressure.
Smart City – city advanced in infrastructure, communication and services.

TET / Exam Focus Areas

Very Important Focus: These are the most expected textbook-based areas from this lesson.

What is the classification of races?
What is language?
Describe the classification of religion.
What is migration?
Define settlement.
On what basis are urban settlements classified?
Write a note on smart city.
What are the factors influencing rural settlement?
What is the hierarchy of settlements?
What is megalopolis? Give examples.
What is a satellite town? Give examples.
Why does India have racial mixing?
Why is Mumbai a megacity?
Why do the Himalayas have dispersed settlements?
Differentiate physical geography and human geography.
Differentiate rural settlement and urban settlement.

Short Answer Questions and Answers

1. What is population?

Population is the total number of people living in a particular place at a particular time.

2. What is Human Geography?

Human Geography is the branch of Geography that studies people, their activities, culture, settlement, occupation and relationship with the environment.

3. What is the classification of races?

The major world human races are Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid and Australoid.

4. What is Caucasoid race also known as?

Caucasoid race is also known as European race.

5. What is Mongoloid race known as?

Mongoloid race is known as Asian-American race.

6. What is language?

Language is a great force of socialisation. It may be written or oral and is the most common form of communication.

7. Name some Dravidian languages.

Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu are some Dravidian languages.

8. Describe the classification of religion.

Religion is classified into universalising religions, ethnic religions and tribal or traditional religions.

9. What is migration?

The study of movements and mobility of the population is called migration.

10. Define settlement.

A settlement is a place where people live and interact through activities such as agriculture, trading and entertainment.

11. Where are rural settlements usually located?

Rural settlements are usually located near water bodies such as rivers, lakes and springs.

12. What are the factors influencing rural settlement?

Water availability, fertile land, agriculture, climate, transport, security and basic needs influence rural settlement.

13. What is compact settlement?

Compact settlement is a settlement where houses are built close to one another.

14. What is dispersed settlement?

Dispersed settlement is a settlement where houses are spaced far apart.

15. Why do the Himalayas have dispersed settlements?

The Himalayas have dispersed settlements because they have extreme climate, hilly terrain and scattered cultivation. Houses are built far apart.

16. What is pilgrim settlement?

Pilgrim settlement is a settlement that comes up around a place of worship.

17. On what basis are urban settlements classified?

Urban settlements are classified on the basis of size of population, occupational structure and administration.

18. What is the hierarchy of settlements?

The hierarchy of urban settlements is City, Metropolis, Conurbation and Megalopolis.

19. What is megalopolis?

Megalopolis is a large conurbation where two or more large cities grow together and the total population exceeds ten million.

20. Why is Mumbai a megacity?

Mumbai is a megacity because it has a population of more than ten million people.

21. What is a satellite town?

A satellite town is a town designed to house the overpopulation of a major city and located beyond the limits of that city.

22. Give examples of satellite towns.

Patna, Barauni, Varanasi and Hajipur are examples of satellite towns.

23. What is a smart city?

A smart city is an urban region that is advanced in infrastructure, real estate, communication and market availability.

24. Give examples of smart cities.

Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Jaipur and Surat are examples of smart cities.

25. Why is India considered a land of racial mixing?

India is considered a land of racial mixing because different groups of people came to India at different times and mixed with the existing population.

26. What is International Mother Language Day?

International Mother Language Day is observed on 21st February to promote linguistic and cultural diversity.

27. What is World Population Day?

World Population Day is observed on 11th July.

28. Which settlement pattern is found in the Sutlej-Ganga plain?

Rectangular settlement pattern is found in the Sutlej-Ganga plain.

29. Which settlement pattern is found in the Nilgiris?

Dispersed settlement is found in the Nilgiris.

30. Which settlement comes up around a place of worship?

Pilgrim settlement comes up around a place of worship.

How to Write This in Exam

For a short answer, write the direct definition first. For example, if the question asks “Define settlement,” write “A settlement is a place where people live and interact through activities such as agriculture, trading and entertainment.”

For a long answer, divide the answer into headings such as population, races, language, religion, migration, rural settlement, urban settlement and smart city.

Sample Exam Answer

“Population and Settlement” is an important Geography lesson in 7th Social Science. Population refers to the total number of people living in a particular place. Human Geography studies people, their activities, culture, occupation, language, religion and settlements.

The major human races are Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid and Australoid. Caucasoid is known as European race. Negroid is known as African race. Mongoloid is known as Asian-American race. Australoid is associated with Australia. India has a long history of racial mixing because different groups came and settled here from prehistoric times.

Language is a great force of socialisation. It is the most common form of communication. Dravidian languages include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Tulu. Religion is also an important part of human culture. Religions are classified into universalising religions, ethnic religions and tribal or traditional religions.

Settlement is a place where people live and interact through activities such as agriculture, trading and entertainment. Rural settlements are mostly connected with primary activities such as agriculture and fishing. They are usually found near water bodies and fertile lands. Urban settlements are connected with secondary and tertiary activities such as industries, trade, transport, administration and services.

Urban settlements are classified on the basis of population size, occupational structure and administration. The order of urban settlement size is City, Metropolis, Conurbation and Megalopolis. A smart city is an urban region advanced in infrastructure, communication and market facilities. Thus, population and settlement help us understand how people live, work and organise space.

One Mark Important Points

Population – Total number of people living in a place
Human Geography – Study of people and their activities
Caucasoid Race – European race
Negroid Race – African race
Mongoloid Race – Asian-American race
Australoid Race – Australian race
Official Language of India – Hindi
World Population Day – 11th July
International Mother Language Day – 21st February
World Cultural Diversity Day – 21st May
World Religious Day – Third Sunday in January
Linguistic Stock – Group of language families
Dravidian Languages – Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tulu
Bushmen Found In – Kalahari Desert
Rural Settlements Located Near – Water bodies
Urban Settlement Occupations – Secondary and tertiary activities
Pilgrim Settlement – Around a place of worship
Thiruverkadu – Example of pilgrim settlement
Sutlej-Ganga Plain – Rectangular pattern
Nilgiris – Dispersed settlement
South India – Compact settlement
Seacoast – Circular settlement
Haryana – Star-like pattern
Correct Settlement Order – City, Metropolis, Conurbation, Megalopolis
Megacity Population – More than 10 million
Mumbai – Megacity
Satellite Town – Located outside a major city
Smart City Examples – Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Jaipur, Surat
Buddhism Place of Worship – Vihara
Jainism Place of Worship – Basadi
Judaism Place of Worship – Synagogue
Zoroastrianism Place of Worship – Agiyari

Short Conclusion

“Population and Settlement” teaches us about people, races, language, religion, migration and settlements. Population is the total number of people living in a place. People are classified into different races in the textbook as Caucasoid, Negroid, Mongoloid and Australoid. Language and religion are important parts of human culture. Settlements may be rural or urban. Rural settlements are mainly connected with agriculture and other primary activities, while urban settlements are connected with industries and services. This lesson is important for exams because many direct questions can be asked from races, language, religion, rural settlement, urban settlement, settlement patterns, smart city, satellite town and hierarchy of settlements.