The altitude zones of Elazığ province

ABSTRACT The elevation of any region on earth is very important in regard to creation of all other geographical conditions of that region. An elevation of a surface impacts jeology, jeomorphology, climatelogy, techtonic, hydrology and much more geographical states of that surface. The definition of elevation zones is that to search a topography which compose a geographical region in relation to sea level with changes of altitude, to determine intervals of altitude with periods, to find average altitudes and to conclude results found under scientific methods. This is the first study made for elevation zones related to any one province in Turkey. The terrain of Province of Elazığ is rough and composed of morphological units like mountains, plateaus and plains which result in changes in states of altitude because of all these units are with one another. We found the elevation zones, scales and average elevations of the Province of Elazığ for the first time in this study. When we take average elevation of the province which is 123 1,4 meter is higher than that of Turkey. (Turkey's average elevation is 994 meter.) As a generel rule, it can be said that from west towards east there is a rise in elevation. One of the surface features of region of Elazığ province is that from west towards east there is a rise in terrain of Province of Elazığ and the elevation of mountains across the south and southeast borders decreases relatively through northJn the south of the province the elevation of southeast Toros part is over 2000 meter. Inner part through the north it is between 1000 and 1500 meters and in the north border around Keban dam lake it is under 750 meter. First of all, the province of Elazığ has a rough surface that covers mountains, plateaus and plains which are morphological. All these units are very close to each other that brought about changes in the conditions of elevation in short spaces. If we get distribution of each part separately we will see the emergence of changes clearly. As a conclusion, when we look at the map showing the correct horizantal positions of features represented, the elevation that is under 750 meter is seen mostly concentrated in the western part of Elazığ province. Following this part, the elevation between 750 and 1500 meters, sorrounding 750 meter part, extends to dam lake and lake area as parallel. Those which are smooth areas found between 1000 meter and 1250 meters generally cover a hihg rate of distribution in the inner parts like plains and plateaus. Those which are plateaus and mountains parts are between 1250 and 1500 meters scattered mostly western, southern and eastern aprts of province. Those compose mountain areas between 1500 and 1750 meters in the eastern and southern parts where elevation goes up, those which are over 1750 meter are mountain areas as a whole and form independent closed zones from each other.