Resources, Terrain and the distribution of settlements

1. Resources, Terrain and the distribution of settlements

2. Factors that influence the distribution of towns and cities

4. Altitude • Nucleated settlements in Ireland avoid high altitudes • Mountains and hills are exposed to high winds and attract relief rainfall • Temperatures are lower than at sea level

6. Drainage patterns • Many towns are located at bridge points on rivers, this is because bridge points become a route focus. Towns grow to provide services • The word Áth means ford, so towns that contain áth indicate that the settlements are located at crossing points of rivers, e.g. Átha Luain – Athlone • The largest urban areas in Ireland are located at river mouths or on the banks or river estuaries e.g. Dublin, Cork , Galway

8. Land Quality • Fertile land attracts settlement • Much of the best land is located in the east of the country • Towns that were located on rich agricultural land thrived and became market towns • Marshlands that contain large bogs are not good for settlements to develop • Many nucleated settlements were created on the boundaries of peat lands in order to exploit this resource e.g. Tyrellspass

9. Coastal Settlements • Some settlements are located on the coast. • They may be fishing ports, such as Killybegs in Co. Donegal or coastal resorts such as Tramore in Co. Waterford

10. Summary • Nucleated settlements generally avoid upland regions in Ireland • Many towns are found in river valleys and at crossing points • Fertile lands attract nucleated settlements