Which of the following statements is true of transhumance?

Step 1: Analyze the question You are asked to pick the true statement about transhumance, a term from agricultural geography.

Step 2: Explain the concept Transhumance is a type of pastoral farming where herders move livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) seasonally between fixed areas. Typically they go to high mountain pastures in summer and return to the lowland valleys in winter. The movement follows a regular pattern, and the herders usually keep a permanent home base. This differs from nomadism, which has no fixed base or route.

Step 3: Evaluate each option

• A. It is the seasonal migration of animal rearers in mountainous areas. This matches the definition. Herders move livestock up and down mountain slopes with the seasons, as in the Alps and Norway.
• B. It is practised by the Europeans. This is incomplete and misleading. Europeans (for example in the Alps) do practise it, but so do people in Africa, Asia and elsewhere. It does not define transhumance, so it is not the best statement.
• C. It involves the growing of specialised crops. This is wrong. Transhumance concerns livestock, not crop cultivation.
• D. It is another name for mixed farming. This is wrong. Mixed farming combines crop growing and animal rearing on the same farm, while transhumance is the seasonal movement of livestock.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A.

Tip: Think of "trans" (across) + "humus" (ground): moving across the land. Whenever you see transhumance, remember seasonal movement of livestock between highland and lowland. If an option mentions crops or mixed farming, eliminate it.