1. .   : 
Building materials
When sites for settlements were first chosen (hundreds or thousands of years ago), battles between settlements would have been common, therefore a good defensive location (on a small hill or surrounded by water) would have been very important.
Flat land (relief): 
Most houses would have traditionally been made out of woods, reeds, etc. Therefore it would have been very important to have been located near a source of building materials
Fuel:
 All settlements need food so it is important to build need fertile soil, where it is possible to grow crops. If a settlement grows a surplus of food then they might be able to trade with neighbouring settlements
Defensive position
There wouldn't have been roads and railways when the sites of settlements were initially selected. However, access to rivers, the sea or valleys would have been very important. If the settlement was built next to a river, a site that allowed easy access across the river would have been chosen.
Transport links
Settlements would not have had electricity or gas so a location next to a reliable source of fuel would be essential. The fuel source would normally be wood, or possibly peat.
Fertile land:
It is a lot easier to build a settlement on flat land than in mountains.
Weather
It is useful being near resources like wood, coal, gold because you can use them to build things or trade with nearby settlements.
Trading Location:
Settlements may have also been built for their access to trading routes. It would be very hard for one settlement to be totally self-sufficient so trade was essential. Coastal areas often make good locations to trade from.
Resources
Sites with fairly stable weather will have been selected. You do not want some where too hot or too cold, too wet, too dry or too windy. To grow crops sun and rain would have been very important.

2. Choosing a site!
Which factors are still important today? Can you explain why you think things have changed from when people first started looking for settlements?

3. To be able to explain referring to:
Hierarchy of services
Objective:
To be able to explain the hierarchy of services/functions in your local area
To be able to explain referring to:
Sphere of influence
Threshold population
Range

5. Hierarchy of Services / functions
Which services do you think people use everyday? Which services do you think people use less often?
Which services do you use less frequently? Would you expect to find these in every village? Explain your answer.
High order services
Low order services

6. Transport
Fans
Sphere of influence
players
Merchandise TV

7. Sphere of influence
Every settlement has a sphere of influence depending on how much it has to offer. Complete the table to explain why these things would have an impact on the size of a settlement’s sphere of influence.
Factor:
Explanation:
Size and services it provides
The larger the settlement the more services it has so more people come to use these services giving it a larger sphere of influence
Population density
Wealth of the people
Good transport links
Competition from other settlements
Be careful!

8. Threshold population – how much population is needed to for a service to be provided
Low order services need a low threshold population!
High order services need a high threshold population!

9. Settlement investigation
Read pages 40 – 42 in your textbook and your book!!
Produce an information sheet on where you live!
What is the function of the settlement?
Why was you settlement put where it was?
Do you think the place where you live has a large or small sphere of influence? Explain!
Look at the types of services which are in your area and name any that at high-order and any that are low-order.
Can you name any spheres of influence that might overlap? Explain / draw a map to show how this could happen!
Compare where you live with one other settlement near you. How are they different? Try to use the terms: range, threshold population, sphere of influence

10. Settlement Growth (Functions)
Function: The job, purpose or use of a settlement. Large settlements will have more than one function and these functions may change over time. Functions may include: Shopping (Retail)
Business (Commercial)
Farming (Agricultural)
Housing (Residential)
Educational
Healthcare
Administration (local or national government)
Fishing
Tourism
Entertainment
Sporting

11. Settlement Hierarchy and Services
Hierarchy: Placing things in an order of importance. Sphere of Influence: The distance or area people travel from to access a service. Services: Facilities that are offered to people e.g. supermarket, cinema, school or train station. Services have a threshold population, which helps explain why bigger settlements have more services. Range: This usually refers to the number of different services e.g. a school, a post office, etc. Threshold Population: The minimum amount of people required for a service to be offered and remain open. High Order Goods (Comparison): Goods that people buy less frequently. They tend to be more expensive and people will normally compare quality and price before purchasing e.g. a TV, car or holiday. Low Order Goods (Convenience): Goods that people buy every day. They don't usually cost much money and people would not normally travel far to buy them e.g. bread and milk

12. How to Achieve the BEST Grades in IGCSE Geography
Grade F – D
(Level 1)
Grade C
(Level 2)
Grade B- A*
(Level 3)
Some simple geographical ideas discussed
Shows understanding of a range of geographical ideas
Shows a very thorough understanding of complex geographical interrelationships
Shows awareness of some simple interrelationships between people and the environment
Shows awareness of interdependence between people and the environment
Shows awareness of sustainable development and how it affects the planning and management of resources
Use of basic techniques, skills and geographical language
Use of some appropriate techniques, skills and language
Use of appropriate techniques, skills and language
Few linkages made between ideas
Some good linkages between ideas
Clear explanations of linkages between ideas
Little analysis, conclusions and evaluation
Some analysis, conclusions and evaluation
Ability to extend answers with developed analysis and
evaluation
Answers usually consist of brief statements / incomplete answers
Answers all questions fully
Answers all questions using marks scheme effectively
Lack of case studies
Use of ‘given’ case studies only
Effective use of both given and own case studies
Poor S.P.aG.
Good S.P.aG.
Excellent S.P.aG.