A rural area is any territory of a person’s residence, with the exception of cities and suburbs. It includes natural areas, agricultural land, villages, towns, farms and farms. The diversity of the countryside is associated with various types of economic activity. This can be nature conservation (wildlife sanctuaries), places of rest (summer residences, hotels, etc.), agriculture, hunting, mining and processing of minerals, places of residence of people, roads, railways, etc.
Rural development
In the historical past, the countryside has experienced gradual transformation. Depending on the stages of development, it is divided into the following categories:
- Natural - with a predominance of subsistence farming. Small rare isolated settlements are characteristic against the background of the natural environment. In the past, it was the most common option. Now found mainly in backward countries and regions.
- Early The development of agriculture and hunting is predominant, and the territory is becoming more differentiated. The connection of rural settlements with each other and with cities is growing. There is an orientation toward obtaining a certain (predominant) type of product.
- Medium. With it, the territorial differentiation of the economy intensifies, the number of the rural population stops growing.
- Late. Specialized farms and agricultural enterprises, industrial enterprises are being created. The rural population is decreasing due to the outflow of the population to cities.
- Recreational and environmental. Rural settlements are replaced by cottages, rest houses and other similar objects.
Rural settlements
There is no clear border between the village and the city. Most often, the population is considered as a criterion. However, classical rural settlements are also characterized by other features: the predominance of low-rise buildings, the presence of households, low population, and low infrastructure development. In this case, the criterion is the way of life of people, which is reflected in the activities of the village council.
Typical rural settlements are characterized by lower building density, smaller (on average) the size of private houses, fewer cars (per person). The standard of living is generally lower than in cities. Many farms lack medical care. Common are poultry, cattle, pigs and goats. The governing body is the administration of a rural settlement.
The population of the countryside is usually healthier than the urban one, which is associated with a large number of high-quality natural products in the diet, higher physical activity and lower levels of environmental pollution.
Differences between urban and rural settlements
Urban and rural settlements can be divided on the basis of the following features:
- total population in a given locality;
- level of development of transport, industry, construction;
- the level of infrastructure development and the degree of improvement of the environment, public and private facilities;
- the degree of development of the services sector and its role in the economy of the settlement;
- features of the lifestyle of the population;
- the prevailing standard of living of the population, material wealth;
- level of education and access to information, life values and norms, skill level of employees;
- the degree of dependence of the population on the weather and other natural factors;
- the presence of a village council;
- people's opinion on the status of a given locality.
Demographics of the rural population
The demographic situation in rural areas has its own characteristics. The southern countries are characterized by an increase in the rural population due to the birth rate, which is higher there than in cities. In the northern regions, by contrast, there is a decline in the rural population due to migration to cities and lower fertility.
Economic activity in rural areas
The predominant type of production activity in rural areas is the primary processing of raw materials with a fairly extensive method of land use. In more urbanized areas, manufacturing and trade also play a significant role with greater development of the services sector.
Village development in Russia
In Russia over the past 150 years there have been changes in the structure of the economy of rural regions. At the beginning of the last century, small-scale farming dominated, which was combined with landlord farming. With the transition to the Soviet era, the collective-state farm system spread, which corresponded to collectivization plans. After 1990, the role of individual farms, small business, and private entrepreneurship intensified. Many collective farms fell into decay, and part of the farmland turned out to be ownerless. The modern village in Russia often has a scruffy look, which is associated with a decline in the economy and low living standards of the population. The administration of a rural settlement does not always pay due attention to maintaining rural infrastructure.
The creative system that existed in Soviet times (state plans for planting forest belts, protecting water bodies, improving soil fertility) fell into decay, which could negatively affect the future of domestic agriculture.
Similar negative trends exist in the field of forestry. Recently, Russia has been characterized by the irrationality of the use of forests and the lack of creative processes (afforestation). The problem of logging exists in almost all more or less populated areas. At the same time, in sparsely populated areas, forestry is not conducted at all.
Rural Functions
The predominant functions of rural areas depend on the most popular sectors. From the point of view of the economy, the agricultural function is of greatest importance - providing the country with food. In contrast, industrial production plays a decisive role in urban areas. From the point of view of urban residents, the countryside is, first of all, places of rest and solitude. And for the permanent inhabitants of villages - local residents - this is their habitat and livelihoods.
The main industries in rural areas are agricultural production, timber, fish and game, as well as minerals such as gravel and sand.
The rural region is also a place for the production of various works of art and souvenirs. Artistic and folk art museums are often located in villages.
The recreational function of the countryside is to provide recreational areas. In specialized places (sanatoriums, camp sites, rest homes, etc.), staff often consists of rural residents.
The rural territory also serves as a place for various communications, roads and railways, thus performing transport and communication functions.
The ecological function of rural areas
The environmental function is to protect nature reserves and other natural sites from illegal logging or poaching. On the other hand, urban and industrial wastewater and waste are treated in rural areas. This is not only the result of targeted measures, but also the process of natural cleaning due to chemical, physical and biological processes.
