Analysis of the spatial distribution of urban population of Fars Province, using indices of focus and primate city

This article examines the system of population distribution in urban centers in Fars Province during the period of 1335_1385. Growing trend of urbanization along with the increase in the number of towns and cities, especially those whose population is under 25,000. the most important characteristics of the system distribution of is the urban population in Fars Province. The trend of urbanization in Fars province during a period of 50 years follows from the current trend in the total population changes of the country. In 1335 only 32/35 percent of the province population live in the urban areas and it has reached to 61.17 percent in the last census of 1385. Regarding the increase in urban areas, the number of cities of the province which has been 13 cities in 1335 has also reached to 73 cities in 1345. Among these cities shiraz, due to the political – historical situation and its economic capabilities has always attracted the population and during the five recent decades has operated as the first city of the province. It has allocated 46.3 percent of the province population to itself and its population is 9.87 tines that of second population city Marvdasht in 1385 and shows the unbalanced spatial distribution of the urban population in fars province.