People move to where the resources they needare... so they can be near the needed resources.
Water is the physical characteristic that most affects the settlement patterns of North Africa and Southwest Asia.
what is it
Judith Thompson Miragliuolo has written: 'Non-urban sites and mobile settlement patterns' -- subject(s): Civilization, Land settlement patterns, Prehistoric, Prehistoric Land settlement patterns
James Walter Bell has written: 'Regional archaeological model of the Luckiamute Band settlement patterns' -- subject(s): Land settlement patterns, Prehistoric, Prehistoric Land settlement patterns
settlement patterns
Desertification can change patterns of settlement in the region by making it more difficult for people to settle in a particular region.
temperature
patterns of settlement is where people live near rivers, road ways, or harbors
Economy
Patterns of settlement refer to the way in which people arrange themselves in urban, rural, or other areas. Common patterns include clustered settlements, dispersed settlements, linear settlements, and nuclear settlements. These patterns can be influenced by factors such as topography, resources, transportation networks, and cultural practices.
I think but i am not sure that the rocks affects the settlement because they can't cross it.
The main physical characteristic affecting regional settlement patterns in the Middle East is water.