Concept:Nucleated settlement refers to houses grouped closely together in a compact area.
It develops where people are drawn to shared social, economic, or geographical advantages.
Explanation:Nucleated settlements grow in places that encourage people to cluster.
Nodal centres serve as meeting points of roads and trade routes.
They attract people because they offer easy access to markets, transport, and communication.
Natural harbours support fishing, trade, and shipping activities.
These economic opportunities create jobs and encourage dense housing.
Features such as narrow valleys, rugged highlands, dissected plains, and steep slopes are difficult terrains.
Such terrains discourage compact building and often produce scattered or linear settlement patterns.
Hence, nodal centres and natural harbours actively promote nucleation.
Answer:C. Nodal centres and natural harbours