Chapter 3Chapter 3

Site and Settlement FactorsSite and Settlement Factors

Site FactorsSite Factors

• This term refers to the physical landscape of the location.

Examples of site factors include:• Transportation:

settlements are often located near bodies of water (rivers, harbours) because ships used to be the main mode of transportation.

• Access to resources:• settlements are traditionally located near the resources people need to

survive (fresh water, sources of food, trees or stones to construct houses). Sometimes settlements are established because of the discovery of a mineral (Sudbury, ON was settled because of the presence of nickel.)

• Defence: • traditionally settlements were often located in areas that were easy to

defend (island, hill or on a peninsula.)

Situation FactorsSituation Factors

• The situation of a settlement refers to its relationship to surrounding areas. This relationship will often determine the size and function of the city.

Examples of situation factors include:• Transportation: railways, highways, rivers, and airports may make

a settlement an important location for the movement of goods and services. Windsor, ON is an example of this.

• Trade: Vancouver’s location on the Pacific coast and large port has created a strong trading relationship with Asian countries.

• Political: some settlements are established or develop into administrative areas. Victoria functions as the capital of British Columbia.

Site and situation factors have evolved over time.

• For example, Modern settlements do not necessarily need to be located next to water.

• A settlement’s relationship (situation) to other places will change over time.

Halifax Halifax Site and Situation FactorsSite and Situation Factors

• The British originally selected to settle Halifax because the

geography of the area made it a good military outpost.

Site • Transportation – ease of access because of a deep water, ice-free

harbour.

• Access to Resources – fish, trees to construct houses, etc.

• Defence – peninsula, the Citadel’s elevation, and islands at the entrance to the harbour protect the city.

Situation

• Transportation – commercial ships use the harbour to transport

goods. The railway connects Halifax to central Canada.

• Trade – strong trading relationships developed with the New England states.

• Political – as Halifax grew it developed into the political centre of

Nova Scotia. Many people are employed in government jobs.