Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods [AP Human Geography Unit 5 Topic 2]

Summary

In this video, Mr. Sin explains various settlement patterns and survey methods used in geography. He covers clustered, dispersed, and linear settlement patterns, highlighting examples such as the Midwest's dispersed Corn Farms and the linear settlements in Quebec. The video then transitions to survey methods, focusing on long lot, meets and bounds, and township and range. These survey methods help divide land, each with unique applications depending on the region. Mr. Sin concludes with a call to action, encouraging viewers to practice and test their knowledge through questions in the video description or comments.

Takeaways

• 😀 Clustered settlements have little space between practices or items, while dispersed settlements have more space between them.
• 😀 In a linear settlement pattern, settlements or practices are arranged in a line, often along roads or rivers.
• 😀 Dispersed agricultural settlements, like those in the Midwest US, have more land utilization but less daily interaction between citizens.
• 😀 Clustered settlements, such as terrace farming in China, have higher population densities and foster closer community interactions.
• 😀 Linear settlements, such as those in Quebec, Canada, often develop along transportation routes like roads or rivers for easier access to goods and services.
• 😀 The long lot survey method divides land into narrow parcels, each with access to transportation like a river or major road.
• 😀 Meets and bounds is a survey method that relies on geographic features and is commonly used in the eastern US, especially in areas settled by Europeans.
• 😀 Township and range survey method is more organized than meets and bounds, using longitude and latitude to create a grid system for land division.
• 😀 In the United States, township and range is predominantly used in the western and midwestern regions, while meets and bounds is more common in the east.
• 😀 Texas, influenced by Spanish and Mexican land rules, uses meets and bounds for surveying, in contrast to the rest of the United States.
• 😀 The organization of the township and range system simplifies land ownership identification, sales, and management, particularly in populous regions.

Q & A

What are the three settlement patterns discussed in the video?

The three settlement patterns discussed are clustered, dispersed, and linear patterns.

How is a clustered settlement characterized?

A clustered settlement is characterized by little space between items or practices, with a higher density of population and interactions between citizens or farmers.

What distinguishes a dispersed settlement?

A dispersed settlement is characterized by space between different settlements, items, or agricultural practices, often leading to fewer daily interactions between the residents.

Can you give an example of a linear settlement pattern?

An example of a linear settlement pattern can be seen in Quebec, Canada, where many settlements and farms are located along a river or transportation system, such as a main road.

What is terrace farming, and how does it relate to settlement patterns?

Terrace farming is an agricultural practice where farms are built into the side of a slope in stepped layers. In the video, it is used as an example of a clustered settlement pattern, where farms and houses are grouped closely together.

What is the long lot survey method?

The long lot survey method divides land into narrow parcels, with each parcel having access to a river or major road, ensuring transportation access for each piece of land.

Where is the meets and bounds survey method commonly used?

The meets and bounds survey method is commonly used on the east coast of the United States, particularly where early European settlements were established.

What is the difference between meets and bounds and township and range survey methods?

The meets and bounds method relies on key geographic features to define areas, while the township and range method uses a grid system based on longitude and latitude for a more organized and clear division of land.

Why was Texas influenced by the meets and bounds survey method?

Texas was influenced by the meets and bounds method because it was not part of the United States until later, and its land survey practices were influenced by Spanish and Mexican rules.

How does the township and range system benefit land management in the United States?

The township and range system creates a well-organized grid for land division, making it easier to identify ownership, sell, and manage land, which is important for a large population.