Human and economic geography of rural settlements in Aliağa Stream Basin (Arguvan-Malatya)

Aliağa streambasin is located within the borders, of the province of Malatya in the uppereu phrotes of the eastern Anatolia region. North of the Basin south of the Çatal mountains, Karakaya Dam Lake in the south,.settlements in the west of the Yazıhan and Hekimhan districts,to the east is the district of Arapgir. The first settlements in the research area were established BC. However, the first information about settlements was found in the period. The basin shows a dynamic structure with high population mobility after the republic. While this dynamic population structure firsts haped hig hbirth rates, then migrations significantly changed the course of the population structure. If we look at the development of the population in the Aliağa stream basin. The first settlement information is found in 1560. While there were 4 settlements in thisperiod, today thereare 14 settlements due to the growth of the population. While the population increased due to the high birth rates from 1935 to 1970, there was a continous decrease due to the migratio nmovements from rura lto urban from 1970 to 2000. After 2007, it shows variable features. The information and findings about the first settlement information in the basin and when the settlements, were established date back to before christ. The samples obtained in İsaköy, Morhamam and Karahüyük show us that settlement date goes back to ancient times. Settlements within the basin boundary consist of villages and sub village permanent and temporary settlement units. The livelihoods of the site are agriculture and animal husbandry activities as it shows rural settlement feature. While grainagriculture is dominant among agricultural activities with dry farming method, live stock activities are mostly seen as sheep and go at farming.