History & Geography · Grade 7 · Global Settlements: Patterns and Sustainability · Term 3

Natural Factors Affecting Settlement

Investigate how physical geography, such as climate, landforms, and water availability, influences where people choose to settle.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability - Grade 7

About This Topic

Settlement patterns are not random; they are shaped by a combination of natural and human factors. This topic explores why people choose to live where they do, focusing on factors like climate, fertile soil, access to water, and natural resources. In Canada, students will analyze why the vast majority of the population lives within 160 kilometers of the southern border and how transportation routes like the St. Lawrence River and the transcontinental railway have influenced the growth of cities.

The curriculum also examines how human factors, such as government policy and economic opportunities, can override natural limitations. Students will look at 'resource towns' in the North and how they were built specifically to support mining or forestry. This topic is best taught through 'settlement design' challenges where students must choose the best location for a new town based on a set of criteria.

Key Questions

1. Analyze how climate and natural resources influence settlement patterns in Canada.
2. Explain the role of fertile land and water access in the historical growth of settlements.
3. Predict the challenges of establishing settlements in extreme natural environments.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the influence of climate zones on the distribution of Canadian settlements.
• Explain how landforms, such as mountains and plains, create barriers or corridors for settlement expansion in Canada.
• Evaluate the role of freshwater sources, like rivers and lakes, in the historical development and sustainability of Canadian communities.
• Predict the primary challenges faced by settlers in establishing communities in Canada's Arctic or mountainous regions.

Before You Start

Canada's Diverse Physical Regions

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Canada's major landforms and climate zones before analyzing their impact on settlement.

Introduction to Human Geography

Why: Understanding basic concepts of human geography, like population distribution, provides context for investigating the reasons behind settlement patterns.

Key Vocabulary

Climate	The long-term pattern of weather in a particular area, including temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate significantly influences what types of plants can grow and what activities are possible.
Landform	A natural feature of the Earth's surface, such as mountains, plains, plateaus, or valleys. Landforms can affect transportation, agriculture, and the availability of building materials.
Water Availability	The presence of sufficient freshwater sources, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater, necessary for drinking, agriculture, industry, and transportation.
Natural Resources	Materials or substances such as minerals, forests, water, and fertile land that occur in nature and can be used for economic gain. Access to these often dictates settlement location.
Permafrost	Ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years. It presents significant challenges for construction and agriculture in northern regions.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Cities are always built in the 'best' natural locations.

What to Teach Instead

Sometimes cities are built for political reasons or because of a temporary resource. A 'ghost town' case study can show what happens when the original reason for a settlement disappears.

Common Misconception

Modern technology means geography doesn't matter for settlement anymore.

What to Teach Instead

While we can build anywhere, geography still dictates the cost of living, transportation, and energy. Comparing the cost of living in a remote northern town versus a southern city can illustrate this.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Settlement Challenge

Groups are given a map with different features (e.g., a river, a mountain, a swamp, a forest). They must choose the best spot to build a new settlement and justify their choice based on survival and trade needs.

50 min·Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: Why is My City Here?

Pairs research the history of their own town or a major Canadian city. They identify the primary reason it was founded (e.g., a mill site, a railway junction) and how that factor still influences the city today.

45 min·Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: The Border Effect

Students discuss why so many Canadians live near the US border. They share their thoughts on whether this pattern will change in the future due to technology or climate change.

20 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Urban planners in Vancouver, British Columbia, must consider the coastal geography and mountainous terrain when designing new neighborhoods, balancing development with natural hazard risks like flooding and landslides.
• Engineers and geologists working on the Trans Mountain Pipeline project had to assess the impact of diverse landforms, including the Rocky Mountains, and varying climate conditions across Alberta and British Columbia.
• The historical growth of cities like Winnipeg, Manitoba, was heavily influenced by its location on the fertile prairie soil and its access to river systems, crucial for early agriculture and transportation.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Provide students with a blank map of Canada. Ask them to draw and label three different natural factors (e.g., a major river, a mountain range, a desert region) and then indicate one Canadian city or region where each factor significantly influenced settlement. Students should write one sentence explaining the influence for each factor.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the following question to the class: 'Imagine you are advising a company looking to establish a new mining town in Northern Canada. What are the top three natural challenges you would warn them about, and what specific strategies could they employ to overcome these challenges?'

Quick Check

Present students with short descriptions of hypothetical settlement locations in Canada (e.g., 'A flat, fertile plain with a large river nearby,' 'A high-altitude, rocky plateau with limited rainfall,' 'A coastal area with a mild climate but prone to heavy fog'). Ask students to classify each location as 'Highly Favorable,' 'Moderately Favorable,' or 'Challenging' for settlement and provide one brief reason for their choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three main types of settlement patterns?

The three main types are linear (settlements along a line, like a river or road), scattered (settlements spread out over a large area, like farms), and clustered (settlements grouped closely together, like a town or city).

How did the St. Lawrence River influence settlement in Canada?

The river was the original 'highway' of New France, providing transportation, food, and water. This led to a linear settlement pattern where farms were built in long, narrow strips fronting the river.

What is a 'site' vs. a 'situation' in geography?

A 'site' refers to the physical characteristics of the land where a settlement is built (e.g., a flat hilltop). A 'situation' refers to the settlement's location relative to other things (e.g., near a major trade route or another city).

How can active learning help students understand factors affecting settlement?

By participating in 'settlement design' simulations, students experience the decision-making process of early planners. Active learning helps them see that every city has a 'reason' for being where it is, making the study of human geography feel like a detective story.