Zeitschrift für die Welt der Türken (Dec 2016)
DISTRIBUTION AND CHANGES IN THE POPULATION AND HABITATION OF SIVAS FROM 1990 TO 2015 ACCORDING TO ALTITUDE LEVELS
Abstract
The city of Sivas is located within the upper Kızılırmak basin of Central Anatolia. Although the majority of the district area is located within the upper Kızılırmak basin, some parts are in the in the basins of Yesilirmak and Euphrates. Sivas, with a quite steep and rugged terrain, is the leading emigrant city of Turkey. The aim of the present study is to show the distribution of population and habitation in Sivas according to altitude levels and changes in the population accordingly form 1990 to 2015. For this purpose, first proportional and spatial distribution of provincial land was designated according to a 250-meter altitude range and the number and type of habitation was identified within each altitude range. Subsequently, relevant data for each settlement was obtained for 2015 and for the years between 1990 and 2015 from Turkish Statistical Institute and thus the distribution and changes in the population according to altitude range levels determined. In order to determine altitude levels 1/250,000 scale topographic map sheets were quantified using Map Info GIS software and altitude analyzes were made. The findings of the study have revealed that there are parallels population distribution and settlement and altitude levels in the province of Sivas. Namely; 1250-1750 meters altitude range is the zone including the most land provincial and at the same time population and settlement. Rural as well as town and city settlements are located within this altitude range. The second zone is the 1750-2000 meter altitude range level including the second most provincial territory, population, and settlement. On analyzing altitude dependant population growth of the province from 1990 to 2015, except the population growth in Sivas city center and Şarkışla town center, there is a direct relation between population decrease and altitude level. Population decrease rate increased from 1990 to 2015 in line with altitude level ranging from 1000 to 1250 to 2000-2250 meters altitude, which is the upper limit of the population and the settlement.
