Village

Village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town, with a population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighborhoods. Villages are normally permanent, with fixed dwellings; however, transient villages can occur. Further, the dwellings of a village are fairly close to one another, not scattered broadly over the landscape, as a dispersed settlement.

In the past, villages were a usual form of community for societies that practice subsistence agriculture, and also for some non-agricultural societies. In Great Britain, a hamlet earned the right to be called a village when it built a church. In many cultures, towns and cities were few, with only a small proportion of the population living in them. The Industrial Revolution attracted people in larger numbers to work in mills and factories; the concentration of people caused many villages to grow into towns and cities. This also enabled specialization of labor and crafts, and development of many trades. The trend of urbanization continues, though not always in connection with industrialization.

Villages have been the usual form of community for societies that practice subsistence agriculture, and for some non-agricultural societies. Towns and cities were few, and were home to only a small proportion of the population. The Industrial Revolution caused many villages to grow into towns and cities; this trend of urbanization has continued, though not always in connection with industrialization. Village cultures are similar to those of towns and cities, but on a smaller scale, and with more emphasis on social and family ties, and on living in harmony with the natural environment.

Villages are characterized by a close relationship between the human and natural environment. The division of labor in villages is often less specialized than in cities; most villagers are farmers, but other occupations, such as baking, hunting, or medicine, may be practiced on a part-time basis. Many villages have a communal place, such as a church or town square, where people gather for social and cultural activities.

Village Resources
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