The human and economic geography of Gercüş county

Gercüş, which is in the upper part division of Southeast Anatolia region, takes part in the north of Mardin Midyat plateau. The county lies through the south coast of Tigris river in the west-east way. On its east, there are conjunction of Mardin, Siirt and Şırnak borders, on its west Savur county of Mardin city, on its North centre of Batman and Hasankeyf county, on its South Midyat county of Mardin city. After becoming county in 1926, its becoming governmental centre helped it develop.The research field, though having a rough land, is densely populated and settled because of its convenient climate and productive agriculture lands. The year 1985 is the time when the population rate reached in the research field.Gercüş, whose history is accepted to go beyond 8000 years from now and which is on a very old settlement area has been a settlement center for many civilizations such as Hittites, Roman Empire, The Byzantines, Selcuk Turks and Ottoman Empire. But for today, there are two town and 56 villages in Gercüş County apart from the county center. Vine cultivation and agriculture are two main economic facilities in the county. İn the county where livestock fattening is also tried to be developed, though trade shows development, this development is not in a desired speed because these needs can be fulfilled in Batman city centre. Key Word: Geography, Human Geography, Economic Geography, Gercüş, Batman, population, settlement, economic activities, land use, agriculture