Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities Ahead of Sustainable Development in the Villages of Mountainous and Plain Regions in Gorgan

The fundamental goal of development has been growth and elevation of humanity in all aspects; and existence of spatial inequality in different economic, social and skeletal aspects, etc. are signs of non-development. Regions known as developed regions now have high economic and social indices; distribution of income and facilities in these regions is also fairer. Objective of this survey is to study and analyze challenges and opportunities ahead of achieving sustainable development in the villages of mountainous regions and plain regions around the city of Gorgan; and for this purpose, two methods of library research and field study (researcher-made questionnaire) were used. The statistical population was the villages in the central part of Gorgan including 4 mountainous villages and 7 villages in the plains with 5145 families in them; and the sample size was achieved as 358 families by the use of Cochrane’s formula. In order to measure the research variables, independent t-test, Mann Whitney test, and Kruskal Wallis test were used. The results achieved from these tests showed significant difference with up to 99% confidence between most of the economic, skeletal, and social indices between the villages of mountainous and plain regions subjected to this study. It showed the challenging situation of non-development and grave differences in the villages of mountainous regions and plain regions in terms of their levels of facilities. Improving rural roads and collecting fresh water in mountainous areas; It is also suggested to pay attention to the conversion and complementary industries of the agricultural s