An environmental or cultural feature that hinders migration is known as an intervening obstacle. These obstacles can be naturally occurring, such as large bodies of water, mountain ranges, or deserts. Conversely, they can be human-created, like political boundaries requiring visas or immigration restrictions, or a lack of financial resources to continue a journey. For example, a migrant intending to move from a rural area to a large city may encounter an intervening obstacle in the form of a lack of affordable housing in the city, leading them to settle in a smaller town along the way.
Understanding these impediments is crucial to analyzing migration patterns and population distribution. They influence the ultimate destination of migrants, potentially altering settlement patterns and cultural landscapes. Historically, the presence of such hindrances has shaped migration routes and led to the development of distinct cultural regions. Analyzing these provides insight into the complex interplay between human movement and both the natural and built environments.
