Historical and Geographical Aspects of the Development of the Settlement System Along the Middle Course of the Desna River in the XVIII–XXI Century

Abstract

The article presents an overview of the factors determining the profitability of settlement along the main river of the region – the Desna in different historical epochs. Currently, the Desna River is a transboundary water body, the upper reaches of which are located in the forest zone, the lower course in the southern forest–steppe. Historically, the river was an important way of moving goods and cargo between the economic centers of forest and forest-steppe regions, and settlements along the river used the benefits of geographical location. At the same time, it is shown that the value of the position near the river changes with time. According to various sources of information: geographical descriptions, statistical materials, observations of the water content of the river, the stages of development of the settlement system along the Desna river are highlighted. The natural and socio-economic factors in the change in the significance of the riverine position are determined. In particular, the influence of fluctuations in water availability and the development of the transport system on the change in the importance of the river as a transport route is considered in detail. The types of dynamics of the number of inhabitants of settlements of the middle Podesenya, presented on the author's map, are highlighted. The correlation of regional and local factors of the settlement system development is substantiated.