Geographia Polonica (2013) vol. 86, iss. 3
Historical diversity of Poland's urban network. Cluster analysis versus historical regions
Geographia Polonica (2013) vol. 86, iss. 3, pp. 219-236 | 
Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.2013.20
Abstract
The article presents an analysis of the urban network in Poland in 2010 based on the statistical method of hierarchical clustering with the aim of identifying historical regional networks of settlements. Mathematically derived clusters were compared with the historical borders of Poland. As a result of the study, regions were identified whose cluster shapes correspondedto the borders of historical provinces. While analysing Poland’s historical divisions and its urban network, usewas also made of the river network, demonstrating which rivers have played the role of a barrier or are a key determinantbehind the development of regional settlement networks.
Keywords: urban network, cities and towns, clustering, historical geography, GIS, Poland
, University of Łódź Faculty of Geographical Sciences Kopcińskiego 31, 90-142 Łódź: Poland