Geographical Analysis of Rural Settlement Distribution Patterns in Choman and Khabat Districts - A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the spatial patterns of rural settlement distribution in the districts of Choman and Khabat, using spatial statistical techniques within a Geographic Information Systems environment. The study adopted inductive and comparative approaches, utilizing spatial analysis methods. To achieve the objectives, the study was divided into Four main axes: The theoretical framework of the study, Central distribution of rural settlement, Patterns of rural settlement distribution, and the influence of natural and human factors on the pattern of rural distribution. The most important results of the study showed that the pattern of rural settlement distribution in Choman district is generally a clustered random pattern, while Khabat district exhibited a random pattern, primarily due to the influence of the complex interplay of natural and human factors, these factors collectively contributed to the spatial differences observed in the distribution of rural settlements in the study area.