Human and economic geography of the Kumyazı River basin (Elazığ)

The settlements in the Kumyazı Çayı basin show a northeast-southwest direction extending southeast of Elazığ. The whole basin is located in the city of Elazığ in the Upper Fırat Section of the Eastern Anatolia Region. North of the basin there is the Keban dam lake; to the east of the basin there is the village of Kuşhane in the central district of Elazığ; to the northeast of the basin there is the Baltaşı village of Palu district; to the south and southeast of the basin villages of Maden; to the west and southwest of the basin there is the village of Elazığ. When we look at the physical geography of the research area and its close surroundings, There are two mountainous area in the basin, to the west of the basin, there are Çelemlik-Mastar mountain range and the Hazar-Yaylım mountain range in the South, and there are Hazar Lake depression and Behrimaz-Çitli depressions stuck between them. (Erinç, 1953). The Kumyazı Stream, which gives the basin its name, is a tributary of the Murat River and pours into the Keban Dam lake. Baltalık Stream, Medi Stream and Kartal Stream, which are the important tributaries of Kumyazi Stream, which passes through the middle of the research area, are also located in the basin. The climate characteristics are similar to the continental climate of the Eastern Anatolia Region, however, it reflects the transition characteristic of the continental climate and the disrupted Mediterranean climate. The development of the population in the research area has been examined in three different periods throughout the Republican History. Dynamic population growth period was experienced between 1935-1965, variable population period was experienced 1960-1990 and pupulation decline period 1990-2019. The population loss that started in 1990 is a situation in the entire country and the migration process that happened from rural to urban was effective in this population loss. However, in 2013 and 2018, there was a virtual population increase in Kumyazı Stream basin. The main reason for this virtual increase is the registration of the population in the villages due to local elections. The most important feature of the research area in terms of population is that the young population migrates out of the field and the migration changes seasonally. It is believed that the settlement in the research area dates back to ancient times. In addition, Sarıkamış Mound in the village of Sarıkamış and Haraba Tepe in Örencik village proves that the settlement date in the field dates back to the first era. Except the mentioned mounds and possibilities, there is no clear information about the basin before the Republic. The majority of settlements in the study area are permanent settlements. Villages and hamlets are examples of permanent settlements. Examples of temporary settlements in the research area are vineyard-garden houses. Agriculture and animal husbandry constitute the main livelihood of the population in the field. Limited service-based activities are also seen. The main agricultural products grown are wheat and barley, which belong to the grain group. Ovine breeding is carried out in areas where elevation and unevenness increase, and bovine breeding and poultry are carried out in areas where unevenness is decreasing. In addition, the goose farm in the basin is an important source of income in terms of animal husbandry. Key Words: Elazığ, Kumyazı Stream, Population, Settlement, Agriculture, Farming