This indicator maps and analyzes non-urban settlements within the Amazon region, capturing rural population centers and small communities that maintain traditional settlement patterns. These areas represent significant portions of the Amazonian population living in rural conditions while maintaining sufficient population concentration to be considered established settlements rather than dispersed population. 

Methodology 

Non-urban areas are identified using DEGURBA classification criteria where settlements have at least 200 inhabitants and are composed of contiguous grid cells, of which at least one must have a minimum density of 150 inhabitants per km². This approach distinguishes between organized rural settlements and truly dispersed populations, excluding small communities that do not reach the threshold for human settlement classification. 

Sources and References: 

• GHSL (Global Human Settlement Layer) population data with historical series (1975-2020) 

• GADM administrative boundaries for territorial reference 

• OpenStreetMap (OSM) for geographical context 

• Amazon region boundaries from IDB Amazon Forever Program  

Process 

The methodology applies grid-based analysis to identify population concentrations, filters by minimum density and population thresholds, and excludes areas that qualify as urban under DEGURBA criteria. The process ensures that only settlements with sufficient population concentration are included while maintaining the rural character classification. Settlements crossing national borders are included in their entirety when geographically located at the Amazon frontier. At the borders of the Amazon, the settlement requires a minimum intersection area of 0.3 km² for assignment to the amazon area. 

Key Attributes: 

• Settlement name (unique identifier) 

• Total population 2020 

• Area in km² (calculated based on a 1 km x 1 km grid) 

• Population density (inhabitants per km²) 

• Classification: "Non-urban area" 

References 

Maffenini, L., Schiavina, M., Melchiorri, M., Pesaresi, M., & Kemper, T. (2020). GHS-DUG user guide. In GHS-DUG user guide. Publications Office of the European Union.