THE SIZE OF SOVIET RAYONS AND INTRA-RAYON LINKAGES

The paper is devoted to an analysis of the relationship between the area of Soviet rayons (minor civil divisions) and population density. It is assumed that a network of rayons is shaped for purposes of administrative convenience, minimizing administration-related trips from the periphery to the center. The solution of the minimization problem yields a set of relationships among population density, radius, area and total population of rayons.