An analysis of the evolution of the population hierarchy system with an emphasis on the position of the middle cities under study in East Azarbaijan province

The term development has been widely used after the Second World War. This phenomenon is a valuable, multidimensional and complex category, which is the most important discussion of countries, especially developing countries, as a process. Development is a comprehensive process of economic, social, cultural and political activities, the goal of which is to continuously improve the life of the entire population, and fair distribution of resources is one of its main pillars. The main goal of this article is an analysis of the evolution of the population hierarchy system. The research is of applied type and the required data were collected from the results of the last official population and housing census of the country in 2015. The western half or the semi-developed area of the province includes a north-south axis from Jolfa, Marand, Tabriz, Azarshahr to Malkan, which is adjacent to national and interregional communication networks and suitable infrastructure networks. The establishment of large industries, small and medium industrial workshops, agricultural and garden areas, large villages, densely populated cities, industrial livestock farms and commercial activities are among the characteristics of this area. The eastern half of the province, which has always been deprived due to the natural and mountainous features of the region and the inability to connect with other neighboring provinces. Although in some cases the possibility of development in them has been more than other regions of the province. The establishment of a large part of sparsely populated and scattered villages with the dominant economy of herding and traditional animal husbandry, rainfed agriculture and the establishment of sparsely populated cities are the main features of the eastern half of the province.