The main difference between a hamlet and a village is their size. A hamlet is typically smaller than a village, consisting of a smaller population and fewer buildings. Both hamlets and villages are smaller than towns and cities and are often found in rural areas. It is important to note that the term hamlet may have different definitions in various geographical locations.
Key Takeaways
- A hamlet is a small human settlement that is smaller than a village, often centered around one economic activity.
- A village is a small human settlement typically situated in a rural area, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town or city.
- In the United Kingdom, the main difference between a hamlet and a village is the presence of a church, while this distinction is not seen in the United States.
What is a Village?
A village is a small human settlement typically situated in a rural area. It is smaller than a town or city but larger than a hamlet. A village may have a population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand, consisting 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 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 the past, villages were the places where most people lived. However, with the advent of the 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 a hamlet and a 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.
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 | Village |
|---|---|
| A hamlet is a clustered human settlement that is smaller than a village. | A village is a small human settlement typically situated in a rural area. |
| A hamlet is smaller than a village. | A village is larger than a hamlet, but smaller than a town or city. |
| A hamlet may only have a few families. | A village may have a population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. |
| In the United Kingdom, a hamlet is typically a small village that does not have a church. | A village typically has a church or another religious building. |
| A hamlet typically doesn’t have a pub, town hall, or a church. | A village may have a pub, church/temple, town hall, farms, shops, etc. |
Summary – Hamlet vs Village
The main difference between a hamlet and a 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 a hamlet and a village depends on the presence of a church.
