Difference Between Hamlet and Village

Key Difference – Hamlet vs Village
 

Hamlet and village are two similar types of human settlements. The key difference between hamlet and village is their size; a hamlet is typically smaller than a village and consequently consists of a smaller population and a fewer number of buildings. Both hamlet and village are smaller than towns and cities.  It is also important to note that the term hamlet may have different definitions in various geographical locations.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Village
3. What is a Hamlet
4. Similarities Between Hamlet and Village
5. Side by Side Comparison – Hamlet vs Village in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is a Village?

A village is a small human settlement typically situated in a rural area. A village is smaller than a town or a city, but larger than a hamlet. A village may have a population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. A village may consist of a group of houses and other associated buildings such as a village hall, church/temple/mosque, and small shops. Larger villages may also house schools and hospitals. Dwellings in a village are fairly close to each other.

Villages are generally based on agriculture, but some villages may also be based on other occupations such as mining, fishing, and quarrying. In some areas of the world, a village may be a kind of local government.

In most villages, dwellings are clustered around a central point; this point can be a marketplace, a public space or a religious place such as a church. This type of a village is known as a nucleated settlement. There is also another type of settlement known as a linear settlement. These villages are not clustered around a central point but along a line such as a river bank. seashore or a railroad.

In the past, villages were the places where most people lived. However, with the advent of industrial revolution, people started moving to cities, looking for jobs. Some villages also developed into towns and cities.

What is a Hamlet?

A hamlet is a clustered human settlement that is smaller than a village. In other words, it is a small village. All settlers in a hamlet are typically centered around one economic activity. For example, a hamlet may be centered around a mine, and all settlers would be workers of that mine. Similarly, a hamlet may be centered around a farm, harbor, mill, etc. Since hamlets are small in size, only a few families live there. Unlike villages, hamlets do not have churches, pubs, town halls or any administrative or central building.

As stated in the introduction of this article, the definition of the term hamlet varies in various geographical locations. In the United Kingdom, a hamlet is typically a small village that does not have a church. Thus, in the UK, the main difference between hamlet and village is the presence of a church. The Oxford dictionary also defines hamlet as “A small settlement, generally one smaller than a village, and strictly (in Britain) one without a church”. However, this distinction is not seen in the United States.

What are the Similarities Between Hamlet and Village?

• Both Hamlet and Village are small human settlements smaller than towns and cities.
• Both Hamlet and Village are often found in rural areas.

What is the Difference Between Hamlet and Village?

Hamlet vs Village
A village is a small human settlement typically situated in a rural area.	A hamlet is a clustered human settlement that is smaller than a village.
Size
A village is larger than a hamlet, but smaller than a town or city.	A hamlet is smaller than a village.
Population
A village may have a population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand.	A hamlet may only have few families.
Church
A village typically has a church or another religious building.	In the United Kingdom, a hamlet is typically a small village that does not have a church.
Buildings
A village may have a pub, church/temple, town hall, farms, shops, etc.	A hamlet typically doesn’t have a pub, town hall or a church.

Summary – Hamlet vs Village

The main difference between hamlet and village is their size. The term hamlet is used to refer to a human settlement that is smaller than a village. A hamlet has a smaller population and a fewer number of buildings. In the United Kingdom, the difference between hamlet and village depends on the presence of a church.

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Reference:

1.“Village.” National Geographic Society , 22 Aug. 2013. Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’cyprus-kato-drys-village-3017475’by dimitrisvetsikas1969 via Pixabay
2.’Waldkirch Oberwil’By Ikiwaner – Own work, (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia