REGIONAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE DYNAMICS AND LOCATION OF THE RURAL POPULATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN

: Today, population settlements of the Republic of Uzbekistan, especially rural settlements, ensure the increase of the main population. Therefore, in this article, rural population settlements in the republic, the number and increase of their population were studied in the section of economic districts and regions. The reforms carried out in Uzbekistan in the last 30 years and how their results are reflected in the size, number and weight of rural settlements were proved by determining the rate of population growth, distribution in the territorial structure, density of villages and the distances between them.The unique geographical location of Uzbekistan and the location of the rural population of the regions in it, the role and importance of the increase in the rural population in the growth of the country's total population were revealed. In particular, the crowded and dense concentration of villages in the Ferghana Valley, which occupies the first place in terms of population density not only in the republic, but also in

the Republic of Karakalpakstan, which has a large land area and a small population, and the increase in the number of rural residents in the Navoi regions, the differences in the territorial structure were clearly highlighted.Efforts were made to thoroughly research the effect of the work done on increasing the level of urbanization in the republic, the role of the rural population and the actual situation within the framework of rural districts and villages.Key words: Rural areas, rural population, average density, distance between villages, big village, large village, district, economic district, Mirzacho'l, Alamli, Zarafshan economic district .

1.INTRODUCTION
Population dynamics, demographic composition and location of all regions are formed and developed under the influence of population regeneration processes.In turn, these processes change depending on the socio-economic conditions of the regions and express the demographic situation of the country, region, region, city, village.The demographic development and demographic situation of a country like Uzbekistan, which is located in the center of Central Asia, is changing in close connection with the geography of villages and rural areas and the national, cultural, views, and traditions of its inhabitants.The demographic processes of the population of the territories of the Republic of Uzbekistan have their own territorial characteristics, in which the rural areas of the republic occupy an important place.The demographic potential of rural areas is increasing more and more within the range of influence of natural reproduction.However, despite this, the geography of population settlements in the country, especially the geography of rural areas, rural population and their demographic development has been little studied.Of course, there are some objective reasons for this situation.In particular, the globalization and universality of cities and the process of urbanization, their leading position in the territorial organization of society has made the problem of villages somewhat secondary.The economy of Uzbekistan mainly consists of agriculture, and the majority of the population is rural.Due to the high importance of rural areas in the socio-economic and political development of the republic, currently rural areas are given priority in the country's regional policy.The most important feature of the development of urbanization in Uzbekistan is that the rural population is growing faster than the urban population.As a result, the share of the urban population is leading to a further decrease in the artificially increased level of urbanization, and the share of the rural population is increasing.Therefore, the main purpose of the research is to determine the socio-demographic and economic geographical factors of the number, dynamics, location of the rural population, as well as their territorial characteristics, and to determine the geodemographic directions of the population of the rural areas.

2.METHODOLOGY
In economic and social geography, many studies have been conducted on population settlements, especially villages, their population, dynamics, location.It is in economic geography that Alekseev (1949), Belenkiy (1936), Dzhashvili, Davidovich (1906-1978), Kovalev (1912Kovalev ( -1997)), Lyalikov (1900Lyalikov ( -1961)), Pokshishevsky (1905Pokshishevsky ( -1984)), Porosenkov ( 1937Porosenkov ( -2015)), Saushkin , Khorev (1932Khorev ( -2003)), Konstantinov (1903Konstantinov ( -1986)), Lappo (1923Lappo ( -2020)), Khodzhaev, Nymmik (1910-1988), Gujin (1922Gujin ( -2013)), Michurina, Sharygin (1938-2020) were engaged in the dynamics of the population of the village and geography of location, characteristics of rural population in different regions, countries Vishnevsky (1935-2021), Menshikova, Ioffe (1951), Zayonchkovskaya (1939Zayonchkovskaya ( -2021)), Kozhevnikova (1948 and others) also conducted important researches.Among foreign scientists Enyedi conducted researches on "Rural Development Research.Modern problems of geography" (Enyedi 1976, p.249-267), Chowdhury, Aziz and Mosley conducted demographic studies in "Demographic Study in Rural East Pakistan 1968-69" (Chowdhury and at al, 1970).It is worth mentioning that Islam Rushidan's research on "Rural Area Problems" (Islam Rushidan 1974) is important.Alekseev (1990, S.15), who conducted scientific research in the field of rural geography, geography of rural population, and social geography, studied villages and their inhabitants and territory for many years.In the theory of many geographical researches, there is a clear boundary between the location of rural population and the location of rural population settlements, and they are interpreted separately (Alaev 1983, p.77).Therefore Kovalev notes that "although the term "population resettlement" is often used as a synonym for "population distribution", it is more associated with the idea of population localization in certain places" (Kovalev 1963, p.6) that is, the result of the settlement of the rural population is the villages.Pokshishevsky expresses these concepts as follows: "the concept of "settlement" -"the distribution of the population on the ground and the forms of its territorial organization in the form of a system of populated areas" (Pokshishevsky 1978, p.38).Davidovich puts forward the idea that the concept of the settlements should be understood as a network of locations of different sizes performing different functions (Davidovich 1964, p.10).Therefore, Kovalev, who was engaged in the geography of rural population and population settlements and its theoretical issues, stated that the influence of the natural environment on rural population settlements is manifested in two forms: 1) the influence of nature on the regional characteristics of the economy and through it on the settlement of people; 2) the selection of a place for the settlement of natural conditions, that is, the occupation of areas for the residence of people, housing construction.In both forms, the influence of natural conditions on the settlements is noticeable (Kovalev 1963, p.101).In the geography of villages, along with natural conditions, determining the demographic capacity of rural areas and anthropogenic pressure is of great importance.The most important indicator for this is the population density, which, in turn, indicates the level of economic exploitation of places and, at the same time, the geoecological situation (Kovalev, Kovalskaya 1980;Pokshishevsky, 1978;Manak, 1985;Urlanis, 1976).Unfortunately, the lack of jobs in rural areas, the low level of provision of cultural and household needs of rural youth is the reason for many of them to move to cities, which is justified by the example of the Ural villages of Russia.(Kornev and Lipukhin, 2002).Rural settlements appear based on resources.As a result of the exploitation of land resources, its main production function is the narrow scope of specialization, which consists of the development of agricultural products partly for personal consumption and partly for sale, which causes the migration of many people.In Uzbekistan, many geographers, economists and demographers have conducted and are conducting scientific research on rural population settlements, their geography and demography.Therefore, the problems of rural areas are among the scientific researches in which it is possible to include the works of Asanov on the location of the population of Namangan region (1975), Kovalev, Toshbekov, Valieva dedicated to the study of rural population settlements of Bukhara and Samarkand region (1963).Soliev, Borieva and Tojieva, among the geodemographic scientists who studied the number, dynamics, and reestablishment of the population of the rural population after the disintegration of the former Soviet Union, wrote "Emergence, structural and territorial structure of rural settlements, as well as the laws of development regular study is of great scientific and practical importance.It has been scientifically proven that, first of all, it is noticeable in the establishment of the system of cultural-household (social) and production infrastructure elements that serve to improve the daily living conditions of the villagers" (Soliev et al. 2005, p.65).In this study, Borieva determined the laws of population regeneration in rural areas of Uzbekistan, determined their gross and net coefficients, carried out grouping work (Borieva 2005, p.55), and Tojieva linked the demographic processes of rural areas with socio-economic problems.researched in connection with it (Tojieva 2005, B.59).Also, in this study, Soliev's scientific methodological approach to the growth characteristics of the population of rural areas within the rural districts of the republic is of particular importance (Soliev 2005, p.29).The scientific researches of the above scientists are significant because they are mainly devoted to the rural population of the republic, its formation, theoretical and practical aspects.The famous geographer Soliev (1996, p.53) says, "The tasks performed by the villages play an important role in the dynamic change of the population of the village.The tasks of the villages are not many, and therefore it is not difficult to divide them into such types.They are usually divided into three main groups or functional types: specialized in agriculture, mainly non-agricultural and mixed (agro-industrial) villages.In his studies, this scientist looked at the regions of the republic from the economic-geographical and socio-demographic point of view and mainly paid special attention to socio-geographical factors.Statistical observation, statistical grouping, mathematical, comparative analysis, cartographic, extrapolation, and system content methods were effectively used in these sources.At this point, it is appropriate to mention the scientific works conducted after the 1990s on the scale of individual regions of the republic, namely Mahamadaliev's "The Formation and Development of Rural Settlements in the Tashkent District" (1993), Nazarov's The improvement of the Territorial Organisation of Medical Servises of the population in Rural Areas (on the Example of the Namangan District) (1996), Tojieva's "Social and economical issues on the growth and settlement of the population of Jizzakh region" (1998) and Kadirov's (1994) "The territorial organization of the population of Samarkand region".In particular, Tojieva's research is significant in that it was carried out within the Jizzakh region, which connects two large cities of Uzbekistan, namely Tashkent and Samarkand, and their centers.In this scientific study, Tojieva stated that "the reduction in the number of villages in the Jizzakh region, the increase in the population of small villages in mountain and submountain, desert areas, the ever-shortening of the distance between villages, creates an opportunity for the emergence of large rural settlements in the place of small villages".(Tojieva 1998, p. 48).The specialization of the economy of the Surkhandarya region, which is the southern region of Uzbekistan, and the location of the rural population are mainly connected with the geographical factor, first of all, with its geographical location, and its influence on the formation of its economy, including agricultural sectors and territorial structure, is reflected in the works of Abdunazarov (Abdunazarov 2005, p.9).In addition, Sattarov (2009) studied in detail the issues of the increase in the number of the rural population and territorial organization of this Surkhandarya region, where the population, especially the rural population, is rapidly increasing.These geographers use system-content, demographic-statistical, "cohortcomponent" or age shift, economic and territorial analysis, mathematical, geographicalcomparative, geographical widely used research methods such as information system (GAT), sociological.

3.THE TERRITORIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN ARE RURAL AREAS
The concept of the village emerged after the emergence of cities as a result of social division of labor in human society.As a result, the remaining settlements were called villages.It is not very appropriate to consider all settlements outside cities and towns as rural areas.For example, there are almost no people living in deserts, mountains, and forests.Therefore, it is impermissible to include such places in villages.Because rural areas include rural settlements of different sizes and regularly used areas within their direct influence.Therefore, the people living in these lands are considered to be villagers.Based on the local conditions, the development of new forms of economic management and the private sector, the effective use of the natural-economic and demographic potential of the regions, and the improvement of the socio-economic development are the main criteria of economic reforms.During the transition to the market economy and the modernization of the economy, the demographic development of the population of the regions of Uzbekistan was not without a number of local and global problems.In this case, especially if social-ecological problems and their territorial aspects take more place in the increase and settlement of the population, the influence of socio-economic problems in the change of the demographic situation is significant.It is these problems of natural-climatic and socio-economic classification and adaptation of the population to new economic relations, which led to significant changes in the population growth of regions, especially rural areas.Although the total number of the country's population is increasing, this has had a direct impact on its growth rate and continues to do so.Despite the fact that the population of rural areas has been increasing throughout the range of influence of natural reproduction, the growth rate has been slightly slower than the population of urban areas in the last 20 years.The population of the Republic of Uzbekistan will be 35.8 million people in 2022, increasing by 2 thousand people every day and by 60 thousand people every month.As mentioned above, the population of the rural areas of the republic has been making a significant contribution to the annual increase of the population.Rural areas of the Republic of Uzbekistan administratively and territorially consist of villages, assemblies of rural neighbourhoods, and then rural districts.The number of rural districts in the country increased from 149 in 1989 to 164 by 2022.Small cities and Fig. 1.Grouping of rural districts by the number of rural residents (thousands of people) towns are the administrative centers of most rural districts.These cities and towns are in many respects not very different from the rural settlements around them.49.1 percent of the total population of the country (2022) live in these rural settlements.However, in 1989, the rural population of the Republic of Uzbekistan made up 59.3% of the total population.Since the demographic development of the rural population of the republic's regions ensures the growth of the country's population, its number has been constantly increasing.Today, despite the fact that about 2/3 of the country's population lives in rural areas, it accounts for more than 4/5 of population growth.Rural districts inhabited by the rural population are distributed differently in the number and weight of the republic's regions, as well as in terms of area.Most of them are located in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Tashkent, Fergana, Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Andijan regions.On the contrary, the number of districts in Navoi and Syrdarya regions is relatively small.For example, there are 16   The annual increase in the population of districts leads to an increase in demographic capacity and potential.As of 2022, 29 of the 164 rural districts in the republic had a population of less than 50 thousand people each, and their number decreased from 31 in 1989 to 2. The same reduction process took place in rural districts with a population of 50.1-100.0thousand people, that is, their number decreased by 33 to 50.At the same time, the number of districts corresponding to the group with a population of 100.1-150.0150.1-200.0 and 200.0 people and above is 50 in these years, respectively; 23 and increased by 10.Most of the districts with a population of 200 thousand and above are located in Andijan, Bukhara, Samarkand, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions.Although, in 1989, only Samarkand region was included in this group in the republic, the regions mentioned above are reaching this region with their demographic potential (Fig. 1).Among the territories of the Republic of Uzbekistan, 68.8% of rural districts with a population of less than 50 thousand people belong to the Republic of Karakalpakstan, 50.0% to Navoi region, 37.5% to Syrdarya region, 33.3% to Jizzakh region.Here it can be seen that the deterioration of the ecological situation of the Republic of Karakalpakstan has only a negative effect on population growth and settlement.Therefore, it is a pity that in this republic there are not only many districts with a small population, but also districts whose population is decreasing year by year.However, there are districts with a relatively small population, and population growth in rural districts has regional differences.The rural population of the Republic of Uzbekistan is constantly increasing through natural and mechanical movement.In addition, the change of administrative-territorial borders, that is, the addition of villages to cities, or vice versa, the reduction of cities to the level of villages, also changes the size of the population.Above we mentioned the weight of the village population; if the rural population did not have such a large rate, the decline in natural reproduction would have been more rapid.Because the importance of migration for the rural population of Uzbekistan is determined by urban areas.For rural areas, changes in natural reproduction are positive.Therefore, the dynamics of the population of rural settlements is noticeable by the size of the growth rate.For example, between 2015 and 2022, the average annual growth rate of the rural population of Uzbekistan was 1.35 percent.However, this indicator was 2.75 percent in 1989-1995 and 2.15 percent in 1995-2000.But it is precisely the changes in the reproductive inclinations of the population of rural areas, or rather, the attitude of the population to the number of children born in families, that changed dramatically after the disintegration of the Former Union.Between 1960 and 1990, an average of 8-10 children were born in each family among the rural population of the Republic of Uzbekistan, but in the last 20-30 years, this number has averaged 2-4.For this reason, the average annual growth rate of the rural population decreased sharply in all regions.On the contrary, the average annual growth rates of the population between 2015-2022 was still the highest in Samarkand (2.05 percent), Syrdarya (1.95 percent), Jizzakh (1.9 percent), Fergana, Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions (1 .85percent), and the average annual growth rate of the population in them is higher than the level of the whole republic (Tab.2).It is the population of these regions that determines the regional characteristics of the country's demographic development.Because, if the rate of increase of the rural population in these regions drops sharply, like in other regions, the growth of the country's population would be much lower.According to the analysis of the conducted studies, the demographic situation of the rural areas of the country's regions does not differ sharply from each other.However, changes in the level of territorial integration of the rural population of the republic determine the demographic potential of each region.In this regard, the level of incorporation of the rural population of the republic's territories was studied on the scale of existing 6 economic regions.In particular, 1/5 of the total rural population of the republic lives in the Southern Economic Region, which includes the above-mentioned Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya 9% 9% 15% 67% regions.For many years, the level of territorial integration of the rural population of this economic region has increased.The data of the table shows that the level of territorial integration among the rural population of Mirzacho'l, Tashkent and Fergana economic regions of the Republic has gradually decreased, while this indicator has not changed in Zarafshan region.Among all economic regions, Fergana region takes the first place in terms of its demographic potential.The second place belongs to Zarafshan economic district (22.1 percent).According to the number of rural residents, Samarkand region, which is part of this region, ranks first in the republic (Tab.3).Among the economic regions, Samarkand, which is famous for its historical tourism within Zarafshan economic region, is considered to be the fastest growing population settlement not only in the economic region, but also in the whole republic.Also, the population of the region ranks high in the country in terms of birth rate and natural reproduction rate.Similarly, the economic regions with high natural mobility of the population include the Southern economic region.It is not surprising that the geographical location of Zarafshan economic district and the Southern economic district are adjacent to each other, and their proximity to customs and values ensures the increase in the population of rural areas.As it was mentioned above, the population of Mirzacho'l and Tashkent economic regions has a diversity of ethnic composition, traditions, and the presence of different views on the reproductive inclination towards the family.In addition, the presence of the capital city of Tashkent in the Tashkent economic region, the industrial development of the Tashkent region, and the high level of urbanization lead to a decrease in the share of the population of rural areas in the territorial structure.The increasing expansion of the agglomeration of the city of Tashkent, the reduction of the borders of villages, the transfer of the land area of some villages to the city structure, lead to a decrease in the number and weight of the rural population.For example, in 2021 the decree adopted on the transfer of 1827.1 hectares (including 424.2 hectares of agricultural land) from the Zangiota district of the Tashkent region to be part of Sergeli district of the city of Tashkent, 490.0 hectares (including 154.2 hectares of agricultural land) from the Yuqori Chirchiq district of the Tashkent region ), 1134.2 hectares (including 578.2 hectares of agricultural land) from O'rta Chirchiq district to be part of Bektemir district of Tashkent city, 2294.6 hectares (including 1090.9 hectares of agricultural land) from Qibray district to Tashkent city of 2107.4 hectares (including 1002.6 hectares of agricultural land) to the Yashnobod district of Tashkent (https://www.gazeta.uz)will also reduce the area of villages.In this economic region, administrative-territorial changes, i.e. the change of the borders of districts or the separation of new districts from them, the transfer of administrative centers with the status of villages to the city category, the inclusion of villages on the outskirts of the city into the city limits are the main factors in the reduction of villages and their population.

Tab. 2. Increase of the rural population of the Republic of Uzbekistan
Tab.It is expedient to address the problems of the increase and settlement of the rural population of Uzbekistan in the system of administrative-territorial units, after rural districts, within the framework of these villages, more precisely, according to the settlements of the rural population and their location.
Mining scientist Djumaev, based on the data of the scientific research laboratory of population studies, which once existed at the Tashkent State University (now the National University of Uzbekistan), notes that "10 percent of the total population lives in the mountainous regions of Uzbekistan, i.e. above 600 meters above sea level.In the Surkhandarya region, which is considered the most "mountainous" in our country, 22.4% of the population and 34% of the population settlements are located in the mountainous and sub-mountainous areas of the region.Besides that, at an altitude of 600-1000 meters above sea level, these indicators are 66.4 and 57.9%, and above 1000 meters -33.6 and 42.1%.In the republic, according to the author, the highest rural settlements are in the range of 2500-2700 meters, and they correspond to the southern slope of the Hisar ridge, that is, to Sariosia district of Surkhandarya region.They are Tamshush, Kishtut, Shotrut and other villages" (Djumaev 1989, p. 33-34).The analysis of statistical data shows that the number of villages is decreasing in the same way in the southern regions of the republic such as Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya, as observed in all regions of Uzbekistan.This does not indicate the disappearance of villages, on the contrary, it is expressed by the merging of several small villages, the formation of large and large villages in their place, and the fact that some villages have received the status of towns.The absolute majority of the 966 towns in the republic, which received the status of a new town since 2009, do not meet the specified criteria.In particular, the granting of township status to villages with a population of 2000 or more, without industrial enterprises, constructions, and railway stations, and undeveloped social infrastructure networks, does not correspond to the real state of the level of urbanization.As an example, settlements in some regional districts of the republic, which were turned into towns, were considered.In particular, according to the statistics department of Chust district of Namangan region, 11 rural settlements have received the status of towns and their population corresponds to the demographic criteria, but none of them have construction or railway facilities.The towns are located 15-50 km from the railway station, and the industrial enterprise is only in the town of Olmos.Also, colleges operate in 3 towns, namely Olmos, Akhcha and Gova, and village medical centers (VMC) operate in 7 towns.The same situation is observed in 119 settlements in Kashkadarya region and 34 settlements in Jizzakh region.In G'uzor district of Kashkadarya region, 6 villages have the status of towns.Among these towns, there are only Shortan enterprise in Sherali, Tashguzor railway station in Yangikent, rural medical centers in Jararik, Yangikent and Sherali.Also, there are no industrial facilities and railway stations in 15 towns of Qarshi district.This list may also include towns in several districts of the region, such as Kasbi, Kitab, Koson, and Mubarak.6 settlements (Aqtash, Bakhmal, Mughal, Novqa-1, Alamli, Tongotar) in Bakhmal district of Jizzakh region of the country are not located near the railway station.Between Novqa and Mughal, Alamli and Tongotar, only one college was built, Aqtash does not even have a college, a small hospital or a medium-sized shop.But this town may functionally become the center of the mining industry in the future.Unfortunately, today the inhabitants of these settlements are mainly employed in agriculture, rural lifestyle, the level of socio-economic development, which indicates that they are large rural settlements.According to Soliev and Nazarov (2009), if new towns are considered from the point of view of the current urban planning laws and regulations, most of them do not meet these requirements at the moment.Because not all new cities have real city-forming sectors (sectors not directly related to agriculture) or are poorly developed.Therefore, it is better to call them agro-cities.

4.RESULTS
Today, there are 10964 (2022) villages in the republic, their number has decreased by 1.737 compared to 1989.The reason for the decrease in the number of villages is the fact that they have been given the status of a town, as well as the rapid increase of the population in recent years, the reduction of the distance between villages, and the emergence of large rural settlements instead of small villages.Also, the boundaries of villages are expanding, small (population up to 1000 people), medium (population 1000-3000 people) villages are merging, becoming large (population 3000-5000 people) and huge (population more than 5000 people) villages.The fact that the number of existing villages in Uzbekistan has decreased to 735 between 2000 and 2022 shows that the capacity of villages is increasing.But in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Andijan, Jizzakh, Namangan, Tashkent, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, Fergana regions, the number of villages has decreased, while the opposite is observed in other regions.Most of the villages in the country are located in the regions of the Republic of Karakalpakstan (10.3%),Bukhara (13.4%),Samarkand (17.0%),Fergana (9.3%) and Kashkadarya (9.5%), least belongs to Andijan (4.2%), Namangan (3.5%) and Syrdarya (2.3%) regions (2022).In regions with a large number of villages, most of them consist of irregular, scattered, small and medium-sized villages with low demographic potential.Fergana region alone has not only a large number of villages, but they are big and huge according to their size, and the distance between them is the smallest in the republic (2.5 km).In general, this feature is characteristic of all villages in Fergana, and it is considered one of the regions with high demographic potential and capacity in the republic.The proof of our opinion is that 17.0% of the country's villages are concentrated in Samarkand region, which occupies 3.8% of the total area of the republic, and almost 60% of them are villages with a population of up to 500 people.In Bukhara region, which is 2.4 times larger than Samarkand in terms of total land area, this figure is around 70% and covers 13.4% of the total villages of the republic.According to the information of Kovalev and Toshbekov, there have been small and mediumsized villages in the Samarkand and Bukhara regions since ancient times.(Kovalev and others. 1962, p.46).Despite the increasing number of the rural population of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the amount of villages is decreasing, the distance between them is getting closer, and the density is rising.The most general, detailed idea of the location of rural settlements is given by the average density of population centers (Kovalev 1963, p.15).The following formula is used to determine the density of rural settlements: The average distance between villages and the density indicator are distributed differently among the existing 10964 rural settlements in Uzbekistan.In particular, Andijan (10.6), Samarkand (11.0), Fergana (15.1) and Khorezm (9.1) regions take the first places in the republic according to the number of villages per 100 square kilometers.They are distinguished by the fact that there are more than 10 rural settlements per 100 square kilometers.Tashkent (5.5), Syrdarya (6.0) and Namangan (5.2) regions take the next places in terms of average density (2022).For example, most of the villages in the Namangan region located in the Fergana Valley of the Republic are large and huge villages.Only 3.5% of the total villages in the country are located in this region, the villages are sparse (5.2), but the distance between them is very close to each other (4.4 km).Nazarov researched the villages of Namangan region and found out that "villages with a population of 1000 people and more are now more than half of the total number of villages" (Nazarov 1996. p.24).From this it is known that the main part of the villages of Namangan region consists of large rural settlements and it is distinguished in the republic by the type of settlement of the rural population in such a large village.Indeed, Namangan region is characterized by the fact that most of the villages consist of large and large villages, and they cover a significant share of the total number of villages of this group in the country.This growth process is caused by the effective demographic development of the population and, on this basis, the features of the population location.Contrary to this, most of the rural settlements of Surkhandarya and Kashkadarya regions still belong to the small and medium group.It is no exaggeration to say that the population of Surkhandarya region is literally completely rural, that is, they live in rural areas.The reason is that settlements with the status of cities and towns are direct continuations of villages, and the influence of the village is clearly felt in the socio-economic and socio-demographic situation.
Tab.As the density of rural settlements increases, naturally, the distance between them should become closer and closer.However, the average distance between the republic's villages was 6.2 km in 2000, and in 2022, this indicator corresponds to an average of 6.4 km, that is, there is no significant difference.Calculations for this short period do not fully reflect changes in the geography of villages.Because, "according to the Decree No. 68 of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan on March 13, 2009, 966 villages were granted the status of towns", the villages became sparse and the average distance between them changed, the number of villages and their inhabitants decreased.However, the average distance between the villages of Andijan, Samarkand, Syrdarya, Khorezm and Fergana regions is less than 4 km each.On the contrary, the average distance between villages in the Republic of Karakalpakstan (6.4 km), Navoi (13.4 km) and Jizzakh (6.4 km) regions is significantly longer than the country indicator.Nevertheless, the distance between the villages of Andijan, Bukhara and Jizzakh regions in 2021 was slightly longer than in 2000.The analysis shows that the average distance of villages in Bukhara, Navoi and Syrdarya regions has slightly decreased in recent years, which led to their territorial development approaching each other (Tab.4).The distance between the republic's villages is decreasing in all regions, and the average population level is increasing.As a result, this process creates an opportunity for the emergence of problems in the socio-economic and demographic situation of rural areas and their positive solution during the transition to new economic reforms and modernization of the economy.In order to positively solve existing problems, it is necessary to carry out scientific research related to the field.In particular, in this regard, the science of geography, which properly and accurately "feels" the territory, has a significant role.

5.DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
Based on the demographic development of the country's villages, it can be said that the distance between the villages is decreasing in all regions, and the average population level is increasing.This situation is observed in the villages of most regions.This arrangement of villages in these regions is related to their natural geographical conditions, the location and specialization of their household.In the years 1990-2000, there was great influence of the market economy factor on the rural settlements of the regions of the republic and the rural population.First of all, this can be clearly seen in a slight decrease in the employment of the rural population in agriculture, in the increase in the employment of the population in other sectors and industries as well as internal and external labor migration among the population.Therefore, it is of great scientific and practical importance to regularly study the formation, structural and territorial structure and development laws of rural settlements.This is evident, first of all, in the establishment of the system of cultural-household (social) and production infrastructure elements that serve to improve the daily living conditions of the villagers" (Sergeeva et al., 2022).This process, namely in the period of market economy and economic modernization, creates an opportunity for the emergence of problems in the socio-economic and demographic situation of rural areas and their positive solution.In Uzbekistan and in Central Asian countries in general, villages are characterized by the fact that they are located on the banks of water, in places where it is possible to do farming and cattle breeding, and around areas where there is an opportunity to use natural resources.While the number and quality indicators of the population are growing, the fact that the conditions in a small village do not fully meet their needs is reflected in population employment, natural-mechanical movement, and other processes.For example, in 1968, "according to the results of the research conducted on the villages of eastern Pakistan, work was carried out to register the population on the basis of birth, death and migration processes" , 04004 (2024) E3S Web of Conferences https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202449104004491 ICECS'24 (Chowdhury and at al, 1970) is significant because it is aimed at preventing social problems among the population.Also, it is noteworthy that this research studied the geographical location of Pakistani villages in relation to hydrological networks: along rivers, lakes, canals, climatic regions and the reasons for their influence on the population living in these areas.Soliev "Villages are more "sensitive" to natural conditions than cities; their formation and development depends on the surface structure, agro-climatic resources of the place, especially climate, water (hydrography), soil and other natural geographical components.These conditions determine the composition and specialization of agricultural sectors, territorial organization, and they, in turn, affect the network and type and location of villages" (Soliev and Nazarov, 2009, p.173).Our article differs from the studies of these scientists in that it is mainly devoted to the increase in population, the expansion of the boundaries of villages and the study of their causes.Therefore, in the future research, it is necessary to pay attention to the location of the villages of Uzbekistan in relation to the hydrological systems, their distribution by geographical height regions, the dynamics of the population of the villages, and to conduct separate scientific research.The results of the conducted research offer several general and methodological considerations on the number and weight of rural settlements, changes in border geography, developments and related problems.The development of rural areas of Uzbekistan is primarily related to the gradual transition from extensive to intensive farming, the increasing share of agro-industry in agriculture and consistent reforms in this regard by the country, the activity of agricultural industries, the development of small business, national crafts.Development of social infrastructure, especially transport, provision of various services to the population (trade, education, health, finance, etc.) and the service sector, improvement of the investment environment in rural settlements also serve to increase the employment of the population and its well-being.Therefore, in order to eliminate these problems, it is appropriate to further improve the structural order of rural areas, their size and function.Formation of non-agricultural agro-industrial towns in the republic, further acceleration of the introduction of industry to the countryside, further improvement of activities of recreation and touristic villages will allow to improve the employment and living conditions of the villagers.
Fig.1.Grouping of rural districts by the number of rural residents (thousands of people) towns are the administrative centers of most rural districts.These cities and towns are in many respects not very different from the rural settlements around them.49.1 percent of the total population of the country (2022) live in these rural settlements.However, in 1989, the rural population of the Republic of Uzbekistan made up 59.3% of the total population.Since the demographic development of the rural population of the republic's regions ensures the growth of the country's population, its number has been constantly increasing.Today, despite the fact that about 2/3 of the country's population lives in rural areas, it accounts for more than 4/5 of population growth.Rural districts inhabited by the rural population are distributed differently in the number and weight of the republic's regions, as well as in terms of area.Most of them are located in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Tashkent, Fergana, Surkhandarya, Samarkand, Andijan regions.On the contrary, the number of districts in Navoi and Syrdarya regions is relatively small.For example, there are 16 rural administrative districts in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, 15 in each of Tashkent and Fergana regions, and 14 rural administrative districts in Samarkand, Surkhandarya and Andijan regions.The least number of them are in Navoi and Syrdarya regions (8 each).Navoi and Syrdarya regions are the least populated regions in the country.During 1989-2022, the number of rural districts increased by two in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Jizzakh, Namangan, Fergana, and Surkhandarya regions, and by one each in Andijan, Bukhara, Samarkand, Navoi, and Khorezm regions, while their number remained unchanged in Syrdarya, Tashkent, and Kashkadarya regions.Tab. 1. Grouping of rural districts by population (2022, thousand people)* Grouping interval REGIONS Republic of Uzbekistan Republic of Karakalpakstan Andijan Bukhara Jizzakh Navoi Namangan Samarkand Syrdarya Surkhandarya Tashkent Ferghana Khorezm Kashkadarya

Fig. 2 .
Fig. 2. Grouping of the population of the regions of Uzbekistan according to the average annual growth rate (with the share of the population, %), 2022 There are more than 5 rural districts with a population of 100 thousand or more in each of Bukhara, Samarkand, Fergana and Khorezm regions.According to estimates, the increase in the number of districts with a population of 150-200 thousand people and above is clearly observed in Samarkand, Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya and Fergana regions.As a result, the number of districts belonging to this group increased from 5 to 23 in the republic in 1989-2022 (Tab.1).If we look at the rural districts in terms of population size, i.e. rural districts with a population of 200 thousand or more, the largest districts are Samarkand (249.2 thousand people), Source: Compiled based on the information of the State Statistics Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.Districts with a population of less than 50000 people is not found in Namangan, Samarkand, Surkhandarya regions in 1989-2022.In 2022, Tashkent region followed this trend, and it can be recognized that none of its districts has a low population.There are only 1-2 mediumsized rural districts (50-100 thousand people) in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Bukhara, Navoi, Kashkadarya regions.There are no districts of this category in Samarkand region.