Abstract:

Population distribution is affected by natural,social,economic,and political factors,which are manifestations of the spatial distribution of a population over a certain period of time.Based on 87 research units in 86 counties and Jiayuguan in Gansu Province,China,the distribution characteristics,density change,distribution structure index,Gini coefficient,and gravity transfer of the study area from 1990 to 2015 were analyzed.Considering the county area as the research unit,12 natural and socioeconomic factors were selected and the factors affecting the spatial patterns of the population distribution in Gansu Province were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method.The study found as follows:(1) Over the past 25 years,there have been significant differences in the spatial distribution of the population in Gansu Province,which have formed a pattern of “sparse in the southeast and northwest”.(2) From the perspective of population density changes,when compared to 1990,among the 87 research units in Gansu Province,67 counties in 2015 belong to the rapid increase and slow increase types and 20 counties belong to the rapid reduction and slowdown types.(3) The development trend of a balanced population distribution for the entire province has increased.(4) The center of gravity of the population distribution has gradually moved in the northwest direction.(5) The formation of population distribution in Gansu Province is affected by natural and socioeconomic factors; however,the level of social and economic development is the main factor affecting the population distribution patterns.

Key words: population distribution, spatiotemporal evolution, factor of influence, partial least squares, Gansu