Favela: meaning, definitions and examples

Favela refers specifically to the informal settlements in Brazil. It is often used in discussions about Brazilian urban development, social issues, or culture.

• Many people in Rio de Janeiro live in favelas
• The favela community organized a festival to celebrate their local culture

Shantytown is used to describe a collection of makeshift homes built from scrap materials, often found on the outskirts of cities around the world. It is a more general term than 'favela'.

• After the earthquake, many survivors were forced to live in a shantytown
• The shantytown expanded rapidly as more people moved to the city

Slum is a term with a negative connotation, often used to describe overcrowded urban areas with poor living conditions and infrastructure. It is commonly found in discussions about poverty and urban decay.

• The government is planning to renovate the slum area
• Many families in the slum don't have access to clean water

Squatter settlement describes areas where people live without legal permission to do so, often on land they do not own. It is often discussed in legal or policy contexts concerning land rights and urban planning.

• Officials are working on a plan to regularize the squatter settlement
• The squatter settlement grew as more people lost their homes