The geographical research of Palu district (Elazığ)

Palu is a district in Elaziğ Province which is a part of upper Eauphrates part in Eastern Anatolia Region. The district is surrounded by other districts which is Genç (Bingöl province) at east, Kovancılar and Karakoçan at north, Maden, Alacakaya and Arıcak at south, also the district of Elazığ at west. The district lies at the South of the Elazığ-Bingöl highway and covers 772 km2 area. It is 72 km far from the city center of Elazıg. The district of Palu has a complex geological structure. The district has fields from all geological times and there has been frequently tectonic movements. Earthquakes are happen in the area frequently because of Eastern Anatolian Fault zone crosses the middle of the district. Based on geomorphological structure of the area, High plains and mountainous areas have cover most of the district. Low plain areas cover small amount of the district and they have been at western part. These plains are Baltaşı piedmont plain, Seydili plain and Kayaönü plain. The district has been in the middle of Gökdere and Karaömer nountains and these mountains are are located in Southern Taurus mountains and Eastern Taurus mountains. These mountains have wide terrritories in Elazığ province and the District of Palu have highest and steepest ones in this territory. Lowest areas in the district are located at southwestern part which is the border of the Keban Dam. The district has higher areas at Eastern part and Akdağ Mountain (2520m) in the area is the highest one. Elevation difference in the area affects physical geography (Vegetation, soil, climate, water resources), human geography (Population and urban geography) and economic geography conditions. The climate in the area has transition character between Mediaterrenean climate and continental climate. Because of rough geomorphology in the area, district has different climatic conditions and continentality increases at southeastern part. This side has harder winters than other sides. The district of Palu has been in Murat river drainage area which is a tributary at Euphrates river. There are only 3 villages have been in Tigris river drainage area and these are Kayaönü, Bozçanak and Tarhana villages. District doesn't have any natural lake while having Keban and Beyhan dams which are artificial. Palu district had fast abrasion and accumulation activities, therefore the area has different kind of soil types. Most of the area generally have brown soils, brown rankers and basaltic soils. In addition to these Murat river basin and mouth of the river has alluvial soils. Because of high roughness, high erosion prevents development of soils and bedrock areas are common in the area. Palu district has a forest area which forms fifteen percent of Elazığ Province forests. Oak fields has the biggest share on this area. The people in the area provides their heating by oak wood therefore the oak lands in the area weakened and remained as small stacked communities. Because of high destruction on vegetation, Anthropogenic steppes have expanded in the district as secondary vegetation. In addition to these areas, natural steppes have been at low areas and mountainous prairies have been at higher areas. Pastoral life in the area supported by resources which are Steppes and Mountainous prairies. The known history of district starts at B.C 2000 and the area ruled by Hurrians, Urartus, Persians, Arabs, Artuklus, The Sultanate of Rum, Ottomans. The population of district is 20035 and it has important share on Elazığ province. The district has 35 villages and these villages sent immigrants out of the area. Population in the area gathered on the Murat river basin and also plain areas in the west. Economy in the district is based on agriculture and animal husbandry. In addition to these, mining and fishing are other economical activities and common at western part. The district doesn't have almost any industrial instituition. There are small industrial instituitions which are traditional carpenter's shops, blacksmithes and flour milling facilities. There is a ferro chromium factory at the shore of Keban dam however it is in district of Kovancılar. This factory still has some benefits for the district of Palu as some people from Palu works fort he factory. Unemployment is a significant problem in the area because of limited economical activities. Fort the last 20 years especially rural areas have sent migrants to the Kovancılar district and also to the province center. This situation proves that the rural areas need investments based on sustainable development especially demographical investments.