1. A large part is covered with farms, woodland and grasslands
(A) What is a rural area ?
Rural area
A large part is covered with farms, woodland and grasslands
Low population density
Houses are low and scattered
Most of the people work in the fields of farming, lumbering and fishing
Traffic is light. Roads are few
Few factories and shops
Examples:
Kam Tin, Pat Heung and Shek Kong
Next

2. (B) What is an urban area ?
Very little woodland or grasslands
High population density
A built-up area with many buildings
Different land uses including residential, commercial and industrial uses
Traffic is heavy. Roads are dense and link with different areas.
Most of the people work in factories or offices
Examples:
Hong Kong Island , almost the entire Kowloon Peninsula and the new towns in the New Territories
 The rural areas support the urban areas with food and raw materials and the urban areas in return provide the rural areas with manufactured goods and services.
 They are dependent on each other.
Next

3. (C) Are there a lot of people living in urban areas ?
World
In 1990, more than 45% of the world’s people lived in cities. By 2020, the number will probably increase to 55%.
In the developed areas, like Europe and North America, over 70% of the population live in cities.
In the developing areas, like Africa and Asia, only 40% or even fewer population live in cities.
Urban population is increasing everywhere, especially in the developing areas.
Hong Kong
95% of Hong Kong’s 6.5 million people live in urban areas.
Only 5% live in rural areas.
Next

4. (C) Are there a lot of people living in urban areas ?
Reasons
A lot of people move from rural areas into urban areas.
In Hong Kong, many young rural people have left their homes to settle in urban areas.
Next

5. Term to learn:
Rural area - the countryside where people are working in the fields of farming, lumbering and fishing.
End