Settlement patterns refer to the way communities and populations are distributed across a specific area. These patterns can be influenced by various factors, including geography, climate, and available resources. For example, areas near water bodies often see higher population densities due to access to drinking water and transportation, while mountainous regions may have more scattered settlements. Different types of settlement patterns include linear, nucleated, and dispersed settlements. Linear settlements are arranged along a road or river, while nucleated settlements cluster around a central point, such as a market or church. Dispersed settlements are spread out over a larger area, often seen in rural regions where farms are located far apart.