(i) Human settlements rise in places with favourable geographic conditions – such a availability of water, conducive climate, fertile land, etc.
(ii) In such settlements the occupations are majorly based on natural resources. These are called rural settlements.
(iii) With the passage of time, other associated occupations in these settlements grow & people of surrounding areas migrate & settle there, this leading to increase in the population of such settlements.
(iv) The proportion of people engaged in primary occupation declines & the importance of secondary & tertiary occupations increases leading to transformation of rural settlements into urban settlements.
(v) Over a period of time when the population & the necessary amenities increase on a large scale, the urban areas grow into metropolitan cities.
