Site and Situation (Leaving Cert Geography): Revision Notes
Site and Situation
Understanding why settlements develop in particular locations is crucial in geography. Two key concepts help explain settlement location: site and situation. These factors work together to determine where people choose to build communities and how settlements grow over time.
What is site?
Site refers to the specific land or area on which a settlement is built. When we examine site, we focus on the immediate physical characteristics of that particular location.
Site factors explain why early settlers were initially attracted to a specific spot. These physical characteristics provided the basic necessities for survival and community development. Several key factors influence site selection:
Water access
Settlements historically chose locations near rivers because water sources provided multiple benefits. Rivers offered fresh drinking water, which was essential for survival. They also served as natural transport routes for trade and commerce. Additionally, river crossing points became natural meeting places where communities could develop, creating bridging points that attracted further settlement.
Rivers were particularly valuable because they provided three essential services: fresh water for drinking and daily use, transportation routes for people and goods, and natural meeting points that encouraged trade and community development.
Relief and altitude
Most settlements prefer flat or gently sloping land because it is much easier to build on and access. The altitude of an area significantly affects its suitability for settlement. Areas below 200 metres are generally more favourable as they offer easier construction and accessibility. These lowland areas also provide easier communication between different parts of the settlement. Furthermore, lowland locations are less exposed to harsh winds, creating a more favourable climate compared to upland regions.
Aspect
The direction a slope faces greatly influences its attractiveness for settlement. South-facing slopes receive more sunshine throughout the day compared to north-facing slopes, making them preferable locations for building communities. This increased sunlight provides better growing conditions for crops and a more comfortable living environment.
Flooding considerations
Settlements need protection from flooding, so dry points are particularly valuable for site selection. These locations sit above the flood level of nearby rivers and typically feature good drainage with gentle sloping land. This elevation protects buildings and residents from seasonal flooding while still allowing access to water resources.
Dry points offer the perfect balance: they provide protection from seasonal flooding while maintaining access to water resources for daily needs and transportation.
Coastal advantages
Many of Ireland's largest settlements developed along coastlines, particularly near river mouths or sheltered bays. These coastal locations offered unique advantages as they developed into centres of economic activity. Coastal settlements could engage in fishing, maritime trade, and shipping, providing diverse economic opportunities that inland locations couldn't offer.
What is situation?
Situation refers to the location of a settlement in relation to the surrounding area and other towns. Modern growth and expansion of settlements largely depend on their situational advantages.
Situation factors focus on connectivity and accessibility rather than immediate physical characteristics. The situation of a settlement determines how well it can connect with other places and participate in broader economic and social networks.
Natural routeways
These are naturally formed landscape features that facilitate the construction of communication networks. Natural routeways include gaps and valleys that were created by rivers and glaciers over time. These landscape features first attracted settlers because they provided natural corridors for movement and trade between different areas.
Natural routeways like river valleys and mountain gaps became the foundation for later transport networks, making them crucial for both historical settlement patterns and modern connectivity.
Developed routeways
As settlements expanded over time, artificial transport networks developed to connect them with other places. These developed routeways include motorways and railway lines that have been constructed to improve accessibility and connectivity. The presence of these transport networks often determines whether a settlement can grow and prosper in the modern era.
Case study: Kenmare
Case Study Example: Kenmare Settlement Analysis
Kenmare provides an excellent example of how both site and situation factors influence settlement development. This County Kerry town demonstrates how physical characteristics and locational advantages work together to create a successful settlement.
Site factors in Kenmare: The town developed on gently sloping lowland under 50 metres elevation, as evidenced by widely spaced contour lines on maps. The upland regions above 200 metres to the north and south proved unsuitable for settlement. Kenmare's position on the northern bank of the Kenmare River was carefully chosen by early settlers.
The location offered fertile alluvial soils formed by annual winter floods. These soils proved both fertile and easily worked, making the area perfect for agricultural development. The river provided a reliable mode of transport and facilitated trade with surrounding areas while also supplying fresh water and food resources.
The flat terrain allowed for easy construction of housing and communication networks. The gentle relief enabled the town to expand along the riverbank, with evidence of settlement development visible along the southern bank as well.
Situation factors in Kenmare: Kenmare functions as a route centre where many roads converge, including both major and minor routes. The town sits at the junction of national routes (N70 and N71) and regional routes (R569 and R571), plus a network of smaller local roads. This strategic position allowed Kenmare to develop as a market town serving its agricultural hinterland, making it an important nodal point.
The town's tourist function is supported by its situation, with evidence including local hostels and tourist facilities. The pier suggests fishing industry or boating activities that support the tourist economy. The surrounding mountains provide natural shelter from strong winds while also creating scenic beauty that attracts visitors.
Kenmare's situation demonstrates how transport connectivity and scenic location can sustain modern settlement growth even after the original site advantages become less critical.
Key Points to Remember:
- Site focuses on the immediate physical characteristics of where a settlement is built - think water, relief, and aspect
- Situation examines how a settlement connects to the wider area through transport networks and regional relationships
- Water access was historically crucial for site selection, providing drinking water, transport, and trade opportunities
- Flat, low-altitude land with good drainage makes the best sites for settlement development
- Modern settlement growth depends heavily on situation factors like motorway and railway connections