Analysis on Characteristics and Distribution Pattern of Settlement in River Valley——A Case Study in Fuping County of Hebei Province

Based on landscape theories, taking five rivers in Fuping county of Hebei Province as an example, the patch characteristics and distribution pattern are analyzed. The results indicate that the position of settlement are mostly near the piedmont and its shapes are mainly narrow and long; the area proportions of settlement to valley vary remarkably, but the proportion between different rivers is quite similar, and vary between 10%-17%; the positive correlations of settlement area to valley and farmland area in valley are found, these show that the inhabitants have strong reliance to valley land; the increase of settlements lead the rapidly reduce of valley forest, but there are many trees distributed in and surround the settlements and those trees provide security and comfort for settlement.