Final answer:
Canada's two most common settlement patterns are clustered settlements in densely populated regions and dispersed rural settlements. Historical immigration, economic activities, and physical geography have influenced these distributions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two most common settlement patterns in Canada are clustered settlements, where populations are concentrated in small areas like towns or cities and dispersed settlements which are characterized by homes and farms spread widely apart, typical of rural and agricultural areas. The pattern of clustered settlements can be observed in regions with higher population densities, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and the Atlantic provinces, where most of the Canadian population resides. Dispersed settlements, on the other hand, are more common in the Prairie provinces that have large farms and in areas with challenging terrain or climate, leading to less dense population distribution.
Historical immigration patterns, economic activities, such as industrial development and agriculture, as well as physical geography, including the presence of rivers and fertile soil, have played significant roles in shaping these settlement patterns in Canada.