Rural Patterns

Some terminology Settlement Pattern – distribution of homes, farms, villages, towns, and cities in an area Two broad settlement patterns: spread apart or close together (Urban or rural) Population distribution refers to patterns showing where people live in an area.(Figure 19-1) Dispersed usually = agricultural; concentrated =natural resources =job opportunities; linear = settlement in a line ex. along a highway

Concentrated Concentrated Dispersed

Linear

Settlement Patterns in Canada Two Major Categories: Rural and Urban Rural Settlement Outside of cities and towns Low population density Dispersed population distribution Factors in Rural Settlement: Resources – what’s there to use? Transportation available – can we get there? Government policy – ex. survey system to determine size and shape of farms, etc.

Rural Settlement Patterns Long Lots: Quebec Concession System: Ontario Section System: Prairies

1. The long lot of southern Quebec INFLUENCES: Resource: agriculture Transportation: St. Lawrence River= boat Government Policy: Each settler receives a piece of land along waterfront. Long thin farms built along the river and stretched back long distances from the water.

1. The long lot of southern Quebec

2. Concession System of Southern Ontario INFLUENCES: Resources: rich agriculture Transportation: roads, railway, each settlement needed access to a road. Government policy: survey system Concession System: land is divided equally by concessions roads farms 40 to 80 ha in size. Concession formed townships counties .

2. Concession System of Southern Ontario

3. Section system of the southern Prairies INFLUENCES: Resources: agriculture Transportation: roads, railway (access to water less important) Government policy: Large lots for families (Clifford Sifton Immigration policy 1900) Land divided into blocks (9.6 km by 9.6 km)

3. Section system of the southern Prairies