| Nucleated Settlement | Dispersed Settlement |
| (i) Settlement where buildings or houses are grouped or clustered around a central point or nucleus is known as nucleated settlements. | (i) Settlement where buildings or houses are scattered or dispersed, is known as dispersed settlement. |
| (ii) Houses or buildings are very close to each other. There may be common wall between two houses. | (ii) Houses or buildings are far from each other. One house may be at a distance of half a kilometre from the other. |
| (iii) Geographical factors are favourable such as spring or fertile river valley. | (iii) Geographical factors are not favourable such as extreme climate, barren land etc. |
| (iv) For example, settlements in river valleys. | (vi) For example, settlements in the desert of Rajasthan. |
