Textbook: Origins, Patterns, and Settlements of Agriculture | AP Human Geography - Grade 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


UNIT 5: AGRICULTURE AND RURAL LAND-USE PATTERNS AND PROCESSES 269
UNIT 5
Agriculture and Rural Land-Use 
Patterns and Processes
Chapter 11 Origins, Patterns, and Settlements of Agriculture
Chapter 12 The Second and Third Agricultural Revolutions
Chapter 13 Spatial Arrangement of Agriculture 
Chapter 14 Challenges and Consequences of Agriculture
Unit Overview
About 12,000 years ago, people living in Southwest Asia began to intentionally 
grow crops and raise animals. From the beginning of agriculture in that region, 
and later in other regions, agriculture diffused throughout the world. The 
evolution of agriculture has been punctuated by four revolutions that have 
pushed agriculture and societies forward. Since 1750, mechanization, the use of 
chemicals, and research have dramatically increased agricultural productivity. 
Additional advancements have increased productivity and allowed more 
people to work outside of agriculture, but these advancements have increased 
stress on the environment.
Physical Geography, Economics, and Settlement Patterns
What people have grown and raised has always been shaped by the climate, 
soils, and landforms of a place. In addition, the types of agricultural goods that 
farmers produce, whether dairy or vegetables or grain, are heavily influenced 
by the nearness of the market. Farmers have also shaped the landscape by 
cutting down trees, draining wetlands, etc. Improvements in technology have 
shifted agriculture toward larger enterprises and greater interdependence.
Changes and Opportunities
Changes in technology and society influence how people produce and consume 
food. Historically, women have often been responsible for cooking, but as more 
women entered the workforce, more food has been prepared outside the home. 
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
1.  Availability of resources and cultural practices influence agricultural practices and 
land-use patterns. (PSO-5)
2.  Agriculture has changed over time because of cultural diffusion and advances in 
technology. (SPS-5)
3.  Agricultural production and consumption patterns vary in different locations, 
presenting different environmental, social, economic, and cultural opportunities 
and challenges. (IMP-5)
Source: AP® Human Geography Course and Exam Description. Effective Fall 2020 (College Board).
Page 2


UNIT 5: AGRICULTURE AND RURAL LAND-USE PATTERNS AND PROCESSES 269
UNIT 5
Agriculture and Rural Land-Use 
Patterns and Processes
Chapter 11 Origins, Patterns, and Settlements of Agriculture
Chapter 12 The Second and Third Agricultural Revolutions
Chapter 13 Spatial Arrangement of Agriculture 
Chapter 14 Challenges and Consequences of Agriculture
Unit Overview
About 12,000 years ago, people living in Southwest Asia began to intentionally 
grow crops and raise animals. From the beginning of agriculture in that region, 
and later in other regions, agriculture diffused throughout the world. The 
evolution of agriculture has been punctuated by four revolutions that have 
pushed agriculture and societies forward. Since 1750, mechanization, the use of 
chemicals, and research have dramatically increased agricultural productivity. 
Additional advancements have increased productivity and allowed more 
people to work outside of agriculture, but these advancements have increased 
stress on the environment.
Physical Geography, Economics, and Settlement Patterns
What people have grown and raised has always been shaped by the climate, 
soils, and landforms of a place. In addition, the types of agricultural goods that 
farmers produce, whether dairy or vegetables or grain, are heavily influenced 
by the nearness of the market. Farmers have also shaped the landscape by 
cutting down trees, draining wetlands, etc. Improvements in technology have 
shifted agriculture toward larger enterprises and greater interdependence.
Changes and Opportunities
Changes in technology and society influence how people produce and consume 
food. Historically, women have often been responsible for cooking, but as more 
women entered the workforce, more food has been prepared outside the home. 
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
1.  Availability of resources and cultural practices influence agricultural practices and 
land-use patterns. (PSO-5)
2.  Agriculture has changed over time because of cultural diffusion and advances in 
technology. (SPS-5)
3.  Agricultural production and consumption patterns vary in different locations, 
presenting different environmental, social, economic, and cultural opportunities 
and challenges. (IMP-5)
Source: AP® Human Geography Course and Exam Description. Effective Fall 2020 (College Board).
270 CHAPTER 11: ORIGINS, PATTERNS, AND SETTLEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE
Origins, Patterns, and 
Settlements of Agriculture
Topics 5.1–5.3
Topic 5.1 Introduction to Agriculture
Learning Objective: Explain the connection between physical geography and 
agricultural practices. (PSO-5.A)
Topic 5.2 Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods
Learning Objective: Identify different rural settlement patterns and methods of 
surveying rural settlements. (PSO-5.B)
Topic 5.3 Agricultural Origins and Diffusions
Learning Objectives: Identify major centers of domestication of plants and 
animals. (SPS-5.A)
Explain how plants and animals diffuse globally (SPS-5.B)
To most people, this is just dirt. To a farmer, it is potential.
—Anonymous
Source: Getty Images
An aerial view of rectangular plots of land in Kansas showing the Public Land Survey System used 
in the United States. The circular shapes are created by using center-pivot irrigation systems. (See 
Topic 5.2 for more about survey patterns and Topic 5.10 for more on irrigation systems.)
CHAPTER 11
Page 3


UNIT 5: AGRICULTURE AND RURAL LAND-USE PATTERNS AND PROCESSES 269
UNIT 5
Agriculture and Rural Land-Use 
Patterns and Processes
Chapter 11 Origins, Patterns, and Settlements of Agriculture
Chapter 12 The Second and Third Agricultural Revolutions
Chapter 13 Spatial Arrangement of Agriculture 
Chapter 14 Challenges and Consequences of Agriculture
Unit Overview
About 12,000 years ago, people living in Southwest Asia began to intentionally 
grow crops and raise animals. From the beginning of agriculture in that region, 
and later in other regions, agriculture diffused throughout the world. The 
evolution of agriculture has been punctuated by four revolutions that have 
pushed agriculture and societies forward. Since 1750, mechanization, the use of 
chemicals, and research have dramatically increased agricultural productivity. 
Additional advancements have increased productivity and allowed more 
people to work outside of agriculture, but these advancements have increased 
stress on the environment.
Physical Geography, Economics, and Settlement Patterns
What people have grown and raised has always been shaped by the climate, 
soils, and landforms of a place. In addition, the types of agricultural goods that 
farmers produce, whether dairy or vegetables or grain, are heavily influenced 
by the nearness of the market. Farmers have also shaped the landscape by 
cutting down trees, draining wetlands, etc. Improvements in technology have 
shifted agriculture toward larger enterprises and greater interdependence.
Changes and Opportunities
Changes in technology and society influence how people produce and consume 
food. Historically, women have often been responsible for cooking, but as more 
women entered the workforce, more food has been prepared outside the home. 
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
1.  Availability of resources and cultural practices influence agricultural practices and 
land-use patterns. (PSO-5)
2.  Agriculture has changed over time because of cultural diffusion and advances in 
technology. (SPS-5)
3.  Agricultural production and consumption patterns vary in different locations, 
presenting different environmental, social, economic, and cultural opportunities 
and challenges. (IMP-5)
Source: AP® Human Geography Course and Exam Description. Effective Fall 2020 (College Board).
270 CHAPTER 11: ORIGINS, PATTERNS, AND SETTLEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE
Origins, Patterns, and 
Settlements of Agriculture
Topics 5.1–5.3
Topic 5.1 Introduction to Agriculture
Learning Objective: Explain the connection between physical geography and 
agricultural practices. (PSO-5.A)
Topic 5.2 Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods
Learning Objective: Identify different rural settlement patterns and methods of 
surveying rural settlements. (PSO-5.B)
Topic 5.3 Agricultural Origins and Diffusions
Learning Objectives: Identify major centers of domestication of plants and 
animals. (SPS-5.A)
Explain how plants and animals diffuse globally (SPS-5.B)
To most people, this is just dirt. To a farmer, it is potential.
—Anonymous
Source: Getty Images
An aerial view of rectangular plots of land in Kansas showing the Public Land Survey System used 
in the United States. The circular shapes are created by using center-pivot irrigation systems. (See 
Topic 5.2 for more about survey patterns and Topic 5.10 for more on irrigation systems.)
CHAPTER 11
5.1: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE 271
5.1
Introduction to Agriculture
Essential Question: What is the connection between physical  
geography and agricultural practices?
Two physical elements have always shaped agriculture, the process by which 
humans alter the landscape in order to raise crops and livestock for consumption 
and trade. One is physical geography, such as soil types and landforms. The 
other is climate, the long-term weather patterns in a region. For example, 
coffee grows best on hillsides in warm climates, such as in Kenya or Colombia. 
Olives, grapes, and figs do well in the soil and climate near the Mediterranean 
Sea. Those foods became dietary staples for people in the region. 
Economic factors also impact agriculture. For example, whether consumers 
want to purchase peaches or plums influences what farmers will grow.
Physical Geography and Agriculture
Agriculture is affected by physical geography in numerous ways. Animals and 
crops need water. Even cattle herders in the Sahel, a dry region on the southern 
edge of the Sahara, must have access to water. Nutrient levels in the soil influence 
what people can grow. For example, cotton needs nutrient-rich soil, while 
sorghum can grow in nutrient-poor soils, such as those in tropical rainforests. 
Landforms also shape agricultural activity. Flat land in large, expansive 
valleys provides excellent landscapes for agriculture. In contrast, rugged land 
requires more human labor in order to make the land useful for agriculture.
Humans have altered the physical environment to increase agricultural 
production. They have used techniques such as irrigation, terrace farming, 
deforestation, desertification, and the drainage of wetlands. (See Topic 5.10.) 
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Raoul 
Rives
Agricultural activities are 
dictated by physical constraints 
as well as the level of economic 
development of a region. Pictured 
above are examples of agricultural 
products and activity in Morocco
Page 4


UNIT 5: AGRICULTURE AND RURAL LAND-USE PATTERNS AND PROCESSES 269
UNIT 5
Agriculture and Rural Land-Use 
Patterns and Processes
Chapter 11 Origins, Patterns, and Settlements of Agriculture
Chapter 12 The Second and Third Agricultural Revolutions
Chapter 13 Spatial Arrangement of Agriculture 
Chapter 14 Challenges and Consequences of Agriculture
Unit Overview
About 12,000 years ago, people living in Southwest Asia began to intentionally 
grow crops and raise animals. From the beginning of agriculture in that region, 
and later in other regions, agriculture diffused throughout the world. The 
evolution of agriculture has been punctuated by four revolutions that have 
pushed agriculture and societies forward. Since 1750, mechanization, the use of 
chemicals, and research have dramatically increased agricultural productivity. 
Additional advancements have increased productivity and allowed more 
people to work outside of agriculture, but these advancements have increased 
stress on the environment.
Physical Geography, Economics, and Settlement Patterns
What people have grown and raised has always been shaped by the climate, 
soils, and landforms of a place. In addition, the types of agricultural goods that 
farmers produce, whether dairy or vegetables or grain, are heavily influenced 
by the nearness of the market. Farmers have also shaped the landscape by 
cutting down trees, draining wetlands, etc. Improvements in technology have 
shifted agriculture toward larger enterprises and greater interdependence.
Changes and Opportunities
Changes in technology and society influence how people produce and consume 
food. Historically, women have often been responsible for cooking, but as more 
women entered the workforce, more food has been prepared outside the home. 
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
1.  Availability of resources and cultural practices influence agricultural practices and 
land-use patterns. (PSO-5)
2.  Agriculture has changed over time because of cultural diffusion and advances in 
technology. (SPS-5)
3.  Agricultural production and consumption patterns vary in different locations, 
presenting different environmental, social, economic, and cultural opportunities 
and challenges. (IMP-5)
Source: AP® Human Geography Course and Exam Description. Effective Fall 2020 (College Board).
270 CHAPTER 11: ORIGINS, PATTERNS, AND SETTLEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE
Origins, Patterns, and 
Settlements of Agriculture
Topics 5.1–5.3
Topic 5.1 Introduction to Agriculture
Learning Objective: Explain the connection between physical geography and 
agricultural practices. (PSO-5.A)
Topic 5.2 Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods
Learning Objective: Identify different rural settlement patterns and methods of 
surveying rural settlements. (PSO-5.B)
Topic 5.3 Agricultural Origins and Diffusions
Learning Objectives: Identify major centers of domestication of plants and 
animals. (SPS-5.A)
Explain how plants and animals diffuse globally (SPS-5.B)
To most people, this is just dirt. To a farmer, it is potential.
—Anonymous
Source: Getty Images
An aerial view of rectangular plots of land in Kansas showing the Public Land Survey System used 
in the United States. The circular shapes are created by using center-pivot irrigation systems. (See 
Topic 5.2 for more about survey patterns and Topic 5.10 for more on irrigation systems.)
CHAPTER 11
5.1: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE 271
5.1
Introduction to Agriculture
Essential Question: What is the connection between physical  
geography and agricultural practices?
Two physical elements have always shaped agriculture, the process by which 
humans alter the landscape in order to raise crops and livestock for consumption 
and trade. One is physical geography, such as soil types and landforms. The 
other is climate, the long-term weather patterns in a region. For example, 
coffee grows best on hillsides in warm climates, such as in Kenya or Colombia. 
Olives, grapes, and figs do well in the soil and climate near the Mediterranean 
Sea. Those foods became dietary staples for people in the region. 
Economic factors also impact agriculture. For example, whether consumers 
want to purchase peaches or plums influences what farmers will grow.
Physical Geography and Agriculture
Agriculture is affected by physical geography in numerous ways. Animals and 
crops need water. Even cattle herders in the Sahel, a dry region on the southern 
edge of the Sahara, must have access to water. Nutrient levels in the soil influence 
what people can grow. For example, cotton needs nutrient-rich soil, while 
sorghum can grow in nutrient-poor soils, such as those in tropical rainforests. 
Landforms also shape agricultural activity. Flat land in large, expansive 
valleys provides excellent landscapes for agriculture. In contrast, rugged land 
requires more human labor in order to make the land useful for agriculture.
Humans have altered the physical environment to increase agricultural 
production. They have used techniques such as irrigation, terrace farming, 
deforestation, desertification, and the drainage of wetlands. (See Topic 5.10.) 
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Raoul 
Rives
Agricultural activities are 
dictated by physical constraints 
as well as the level of economic 
development of a region. Pictured 
above are examples of agricultural 
products and activity in Morocco
272 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: AP
®
 EDITION
Climate and Agriculture
Despite human intervention, environmental and economic factors are often 
the most important influence on agriculture. They will determine what types 
of crops will be grown and what types of animals will be raised by farmers in 
many cases.
Climate Conditions and Agricultural Production
Climate always has and will continue to play a major role in determining what 
types of agriculture will take place throughout the world. Most of the earth’s 
land surface supports some type of agricultural activity. The few exceptions 
are those that are considered to be physically extreme. These include land at 
highest latitudes or highest elevations, and areas with the highest or lowest 
precipitation. In these areas, population density for most of human history has 
been low
WET AND ARID AREAS OF THE WORLD
Equator
tropics
polar region
polar region
tropics
Wet Areas Arid Areas
The level of development of a country and its access to modern technology 
can have a significant influence overcoming climatic obstacles. In the cold 
climates of Iceland and Greenland, farmers can grow crops in greenhouses. 
The tomato market, once dominated by sunny and warm U.S. states such as 
Florida and California, now includes the products of large Canadian indoor 
growing facilities. 
The relationship between climate and cultural traits, such as food 
preferences, also shapes agricultural activity. The climate of Southwest Asia is 
fine for raising hogs. However, in a region dominated by Muslims and Jews, 
most people have religious objections to eating hogs, so farmers choose to raise 
other animals.
Page 5


UNIT 5: AGRICULTURE AND RURAL LAND-USE PATTERNS AND PROCESSES 269
UNIT 5
Agriculture and Rural Land-Use 
Patterns and Processes
Chapter 11 Origins, Patterns, and Settlements of Agriculture
Chapter 12 The Second and Third Agricultural Revolutions
Chapter 13 Spatial Arrangement of Agriculture 
Chapter 14 Challenges and Consequences of Agriculture
Unit Overview
About 12,000 years ago, people living in Southwest Asia began to intentionally 
grow crops and raise animals. From the beginning of agriculture in that region, 
and later in other regions, agriculture diffused throughout the world. The 
evolution of agriculture has been punctuated by four revolutions that have 
pushed agriculture and societies forward. Since 1750, mechanization, the use of 
chemicals, and research have dramatically increased agricultural productivity. 
Additional advancements have increased productivity and allowed more 
people to work outside of agriculture, but these advancements have increased 
stress on the environment.
Physical Geography, Economics, and Settlement Patterns
What people have grown and raised has always been shaped by the climate, 
soils, and landforms of a place. In addition, the types of agricultural goods that 
farmers produce, whether dairy or vegetables or grain, are heavily influenced 
by the nearness of the market. Farmers have also shaped the landscape by 
cutting down trees, draining wetlands, etc. Improvements in technology have 
shifted agriculture toward larger enterprises and greater interdependence.
Changes and Opportunities
Changes in technology and society influence how people produce and consume 
food. Historically, women have often been responsible for cooking, but as more 
women entered the workforce, more food has been prepared outside the home. 
ENDURING UNDERSTANDINGS
1.  Availability of resources and cultural practices influence agricultural practices and 
land-use patterns. (PSO-5)
2.  Agriculture has changed over time because of cultural diffusion and advances in 
technology. (SPS-5)
3.  Agricultural production and consumption patterns vary in different locations, 
presenting different environmental, social, economic, and cultural opportunities 
and challenges. (IMP-5)
Source: AP® Human Geography Course and Exam Description. Effective Fall 2020 (College Board).
270 CHAPTER 11: ORIGINS, PATTERNS, AND SETTLEMENTS OF AGRICULTURE
Origins, Patterns, and 
Settlements of Agriculture
Topics 5.1–5.3
Topic 5.1 Introduction to Agriculture
Learning Objective: Explain the connection between physical geography and 
agricultural practices. (PSO-5.A)
Topic 5.2 Settlement Patterns and Survey Methods
Learning Objective: Identify different rural settlement patterns and methods of 
surveying rural settlements. (PSO-5.B)
Topic 5.3 Agricultural Origins and Diffusions
Learning Objectives: Identify major centers of domestication of plants and 
animals. (SPS-5.A)
Explain how plants and animals diffuse globally (SPS-5.B)
To most people, this is just dirt. To a farmer, it is potential.
—Anonymous
Source: Getty Images
An aerial view of rectangular plots of land in Kansas showing the Public Land Survey System used 
in the United States. The circular shapes are created by using center-pivot irrigation systems. (See 
Topic 5.2 for more about survey patterns and Topic 5.10 for more on irrigation systems.)
CHAPTER 11
5.1: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE 271
5.1
Introduction to Agriculture
Essential Question: What is the connection between physical  
geography and agricultural practices?
Two physical elements have always shaped agriculture, the process by which 
humans alter the landscape in order to raise crops and livestock for consumption 
and trade. One is physical geography, such as soil types and landforms. The 
other is climate, the long-term weather patterns in a region. For example, 
coffee grows best on hillsides in warm climates, such as in Kenya or Colombia. 
Olives, grapes, and figs do well in the soil and climate near the Mediterranean 
Sea. Those foods became dietary staples for people in the region. 
Economic factors also impact agriculture. For example, whether consumers 
want to purchase peaches or plums influences what farmers will grow.
Physical Geography and Agriculture
Agriculture is affected by physical geography in numerous ways. Animals and 
crops need water. Even cattle herders in the Sahel, a dry region on the southern 
edge of the Sahara, must have access to water. Nutrient levels in the soil influence 
what people can grow. For example, cotton needs nutrient-rich soil, while 
sorghum can grow in nutrient-poor soils, such as those in tropical rainforests. 
Landforms also shape agricultural activity. Flat land in large, expansive 
valleys provides excellent landscapes for agriculture. In contrast, rugged land 
requires more human labor in order to make the land useful for agriculture.
Humans have altered the physical environment to increase agricultural 
production. They have used techniques such as irrigation, terrace farming, 
deforestation, desertification, and the drainage of wetlands. (See Topic 5.10.) 
Source: Wikimedia Commons, Raoul 
Rives
Agricultural activities are 
dictated by physical constraints 
as well as the level of economic 
development of a region. Pictured 
above are examples of agricultural 
products and activity in Morocco
272 HUMAN GEOGRAPHY: AP
®
 EDITION
Climate and Agriculture
Despite human intervention, environmental and economic factors are often 
the most important influence on agriculture. They will determine what types 
of crops will be grown and what types of animals will be raised by farmers in 
many cases.
Climate Conditions and Agricultural Production
Climate always has and will continue to play a major role in determining what 
types of agriculture will take place throughout the world. Most of the earth’s 
land surface supports some type of agricultural activity. The few exceptions 
are those that are considered to be physically extreme. These include land at 
highest latitudes or highest elevations, and areas with the highest or lowest 
precipitation. In these areas, population density for most of human history has 
been low
WET AND ARID AREAS OF THE WORLD
Equator
tropics
polar region
polar region
tropics
Wet Areas Arid Areas
The level of development of a country and its access to modern technology 
can have a significant influence overcoming climatic obstacles. In the cold 
climates of Iceland and Greenland, farmers can grow crops in greenhouses. 
The tomato market, once dominated by sunny and warm U.S. states such as 
Florida and California, now includes the products of large Canadian indoor 
growing facilities. 
The relationship between climate and cultural traits, such as food 
preferences, also shapes agricultural activity. The climate of Southwest Asia is 
fine for raising hogs. However, in a region dominated by Muslims and Jews, 
most people have religious objections to eating hogs, so farmers choose to raise 
other animals.
273 5.1: INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURE
Economic Factors and Agriculture 
Climate has a significant influence on agriculture, but economic factors also 
influence production. Many people across the world are involved in food 
production, but a significant difference is who consumes the food they produce.
Subsistence Agriculture The primary goal of subsistence agriculture is to 
grow enough food or raise enough livestock to meet the immediate needs of 
the farmer and his or her family. A secondary goal is to sell or trade any surplus 
for income or goods. Most subsistent farmers live in less-developed regions 
of the world and have small farms of fewer than two acres. Limited land and 
the expense of advanced agricultural technologies have made it difficult for 
subsistent farmers to grow excess food to sell or trade. 
Commercial Agriculture The primary goal of the commercial farmer is 
to grow enough crops or raise enough livestock to sell for profit. It exists in all 
countries but is more common in developed countries. However, it has become 
increasingly common in semiperiphery countries, such as China, Mexico, and 
Brazil. To increase yields further, commercial farmers often use the profit from 
the sale of their products to purchase more land, equipment, and technology, 
or to pay for training in the newest farming techniques.  
The interaction of economic factors and climate influences agricultural 
activities in many locations. For example, animal herding takes place in drier 
climates such as North Africa and parts of the United States and Canada. 
Animal herding practiced by pastoral nomads in North Africa is an example of 
subsistence agriculture. Their herds are generally smaller in size, and the milk, 
meat, and hides are used by the farmers and their families, rather than sold for 
profit. By contrast, cattle raising in the United States and Canada is commercial 
agriculture. Cattle roam the western prairies and feed on natural vegetation 
prior to being sold and slaughtered. 
Intensive and Extensive Farming Practices
Another factor that influences agriculture is the amount and type of resources 
used to grow crops or raise animals. Intensive agricultural practices are those 
in which farmers or ranchers use large amounts of inputs, such as energy, 
fertilizers, labor, or machines, to maximize yields. Extensive agricultural 
practices use fewer amounts of the inputs and typically result in less yields. 
Every type of agriculture involves labor, resources, and capital. Consider these 
ideas as part of a continuum, or line, in which each agricultural activity uses 
resources more or less intensely than the others. (See Topic 5.6.) 
Intensive Commercial Agriculture Heavy investments in labor and 
capital are used in this type of agriculture which often results in high yields 
and profits. Capital is the money invested in land, equipment, and machines. 
Intensive commercial agriculture is almost always capital intensive but can also 
be labor intensive. Examples include market gardening, plantations, and large-
scale mixed crop and livestock systems.