Geomorphological Factor of Settlement and Distribution of the Population in the North of Chuvashia

Abstract

The Cheboksary upland-plain region with a mature erosional landscape occupies approximately 1/5 of the territory in the north of the Chuvash Republic and extends along the entire right bank of the Volga River within the republic. When studying the population settlement system, analysis of the orographic characteristics of the territory is of particular importance. The work reflects the interrelation of the main physical and geographical factors in the selection of territories by the population during the founding of settlements. This is especially important in the context of the spread of erosional landscapes, which can be classified as “mature”, which indicates the transition of ravines to the stage of formed gullies. Historically, this territory was populated quite densely, which was due to the factor of being capital of the region and the abundant number of trade routes passing through it, with the special role of the Volga waterway. The relevance of this study is due to the lack of knowledge of the physical-geographical factor in the placement and settlement of the population on the territory of the Chuvash part of the region under consideration. When making the assessment, the relationship between the historical parts (main streets) of settlements and data on exposure and slope steepness was analyzed. In this work, the objects of study are settlements located in the above-mentioned physiographic region. The subject of the study is the geomorphological differences of settlements founded in different time periods depending on the following factors: the position of the peasants, the status of settlements at the first mention (ward, settlement etc.), nationality. In this study, the main geomorphological factors are considered: steepness and aspect of slopes.