A Study of the Effect of Geographical Shape of Ilam Province of Underdeveloped Status of the Province

Expansion and development of political units is، to a large extent، dependant on political organization of space and optimal arrangement of land. One important factor in optimal organization of space is proper form of political division units. Geographical form plays a decisive role in administration and development as well as in creation of mass identity، Public participation in the affairs and feeling of belonging to a political division unit. In this paper we have discussed the effect of the geometrical shape of Ilam province of Iran on its development; the research method used being the descriptive- analytic method. Data were gathered using field method and library method. Our statistical population consisted of all inhabitants of Ilam province including government officials based there. A statistical sample of 321 individuals were used for the research and data were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively (using SPSS and GIS). We will see that Ilam province has an oblong shape with a tail-shaped part on the northeast; in the other word the province is ailed by the double problem of an oblong shape and an appendage. this unique form has been challenged the structural and functional unity، a development naturally expected from a province with Ilam’s capacities، Formation of a mass identity among the people، feeling of belonging and so Popular participation in development of the province.