ANALYSIS OF ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL STRUCTURE OF THE KARACHAY-CHERKESS REPUBLIC
Subject of the research - administrative-territorial structure of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (KCR). The purpose of the study - the analysis of the administrative-territorial structure of the KCR to determine spatial relationships of river basins and administrative regions, drainage and transport networks; estimation of the compactibility of the regions territories. Research methods. Integrated landscape-geoecological approach using basin concept. Applied field method and interpretation of space and aerial images, GIS technology (ARCGIS 9.3.1). Conclusion. KCR cedes to the most regions of the Russian Federation (area - 14.1 thousand km<sup>2</sup>, inhabitants (447.6 thousand) and number of administrative regions (10). Most of the regions in the European part of the country has an area in the range of 50-200 km<sup>2</sup> with an average number of administrative districts - 28. The administrative structure of medium and high-mountainous parts of the Republic reflects the morphology of river basins within 4-6 orders of magnitude, as the drainage divides of the basins were the leading options for choosing boundaries of the districts. Spatial structure of transport network is determined with erosion pattern. The most roads location coincides with the most accessible sections of the river valleys - surface terrace. Erosion and transport network is a significant factor of the economic development: the vast majority of human settlements located in river valleys, and the largest of them are located along the federal highways. The Republican center of Cherkessk dedicated to the intersection of two federal highways and railways. The compactness of the districts territories increases with in decreasing sea level. At the same time height of the terrain above sea level does not affect the population of administrative centers. A dramatic difference of zoning districts and different principles of their names (ethnic and geographic) are not conducive to economic development.