Abstract:

The study of the spatial distribution of historical and cultural sites can give us a deep understanding of the relationship between human activities and natural geographical environment in historical periods， which can manage and protect historical and cultural sites more scientifically and effectively. This paper takes 3 654 historical and cultural sites in the Hexi region as the research object， combines the natural environment and historical and cultural background at that time， and with the support of GIS technology to determine the spatial distribution characteristics and natural influencing factors of historical and cultural sites in the Hexi area. The results show that the historical and cultural sites in the study area are greatly affected by the natural environment， but different types of sites are affected to different degrees. The sites of military facilities and stone carvings of grotto temples reflect more on the terrain and location factors while the residential addresses and urban sites have more strict requirements on water source and comprehensive natural conditions. Except for military and religious sites， production and life sites are mostly located on flat land， micro slopes， gentle slopes and slopes with an altitude of less than 2 200 m， a distance of no more than 10 km from the river， and a slope of less than 15°. In order to obtain more living space， people generally choose to live in the corridor oasis plain area， and the requirements for slope orientation are not significant. The site presents three high-density distribution areas in the middle reaches of the Shiyang River， the middle reaches of the Heihe River， and the middle and lower reaches of the Beida River. In addition， there are 2 high-density distribution areas in the middle reaches of the Shule River and the middle and lower reaches of the Danghe River.

Key words: Hexi region, historical and cultural sites, spatial distribution, natural environment, influencing factors