Human and economic geography of Battalgazi county

SUMMARYThesis of High Master?s DegreeTHE HUMAN AND ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY OF BATTALGAZİ COUNTYÖnder ARSLANThe University of FıratThe Institute of Social ScienceThe Deparment of GeographyBattalgazi, which is in the upper part division of East Anatolia region, takes partin the north of Malatya plateau. In the past, Battalgazi used to be the heart of city, lostits popularity fast since the centre of Malatya Changed its position. However, in therepublic period, especially in 1960s it had a population increase rapidly, because of themigration from the other places.The most important reason of it is that is agriculture, potential highly.Battalgazi town, before 1987, was a centre settlement centre where agriculturalproduction and agricultural products were marketed, commercial activities gravitycenter, whereas, today, with this characteristic, serving functions are getting moreimportant and it is a settlement center where being city characteristics get developed.Battalgazi, whose history goes beyond 8000 years from today was accepted, hasbeen on too old settlement senter, and settlement areas such as Byzantine Empire,Ottoman Empire, Hittites, Seljuk Turks, Roman Empire. Today, in Battalgazi town, outof it, there have been two towns and 12 willages.The basic of economic activities is gardening agriculture. The town animalforming is tried being developed, commerce and industry activities are developed.However, this development cannot be fast because of the press of Malatya city.KEYWORD: Battalgazi, population, settlement, economic activities.