Metals are located on the left side and in the middle of the periodic table. They occupy the left-hand side generally, extending through the center, while nonmetals are found on the right side. Between metals and nonmetals, there is often a diagonal band of metalloids (or semimetals). The two bottom rows of the periodic table are called inner transition metals, and the groups 3 to 12 are the transition metals. Groups 1 and 2 contain alkali and alkaline earth metals, respectively. This layout helps distinguish metals from nonmetals by their position on the table.