Explain how the von thunen model describes an urban/rural set up, and what is included in each ring of the model. (site 1)

The Von Thunen model of agricultural land use was created by Von Thunen himself in 1826 in a book called “The Isolated State.” Being a farmer, he developed this model into an analytical tool that could be manipulated to explain rural-land use patterns. His sole intention was to analyze the distribution of different types of agricultural activities across the landscape.

The Von Thunen Model describes an urban rural setup with the following limiting assumptions

1. That the city is centrally located within an isolated state that has no external influences and is self-sufficient.

2. That an unoccupied wilderness surrounds the isolated state.

3. That the state's land is completely flat and there are no mountains or rivers to interrupt the terrain.

4. That the climate and soil quality are consistent throughout the entire state.

5. That the farmers in the isolated state will transport their goods to the market through oxcart, across the land, and is directly to the center of the city. Thus, there are no roads.

The Four Rings

1. First ring - the ring that is closest to the city and is dedicated to market gardening intensive dairy farming  

2. Second ring – Dedicated to the production and harvest of forest products for building materials and fuel

3. Third ring - includes extensive field crops like grains for bread

4. Fourth or final ring  - Livestock and ranching