Surveying and analyzing the role of geographical factors in the spatial distribution of rural Zanjan County

During recent years, Iran’s rural settlements have a particular distribution pattern according to the environmental and socio-economic forces. Among the geographical factors play an important role in the deployment and distribution of rural settlements, Some of these factors can be have a more effective role than other factors, This study aimed to evaluate the role of geographical factors in the distribution of rural settlements in the Zanjan county in order to determine more important factor or factors than other factors. Also, the zoning map of rural areas prepared in three different types of deployment in rural communities with suitable, relatively suitable and unsuitable seat. In order to achieve this goal, 8 natural factors, including rivers, fault, rainfall, temperature, evaporation, elevation, slope, lithology, selected as factors in deployment of rural settlements. In the study, maps of factors digitally prepared by using Arc GIS software and then weighted by using AHP model in Expert Choice software. The results show that 31% of rural settlements in Zanjan county, with 103 villages, have suitable deployment pattern, 149 villages (45%) have relatively suitable, and 81 villages (24%) are located in a pattern of unsuitable deployment, that almost all of them were located in the northeast of the county. Hence, attention to safety planning and crisis management in rural settlements, with unsuitable position, is very essential.