The Function of Khoy as Medium Sized City in the Spatial Development of West Azerbaijan Province

Abstract
The aim of this article is to study the function of Khoy as a medium sized city in the spatial development of the Azerbaijan Gharbi province. The research method is descriptive – analytical. The quantative models have been used to study the place of the city and it's hinterland. The population models indicate that the Khoy city has the capacity to attract emigrants. If it is not considered in the urban network of the province the will be more imbalances. The economic models indicate that in Khoy city the industrial sector has a higher growth rate than the other sectors. This city has also the second rank in the economic criteria between province cities. Studying the hinterland of the city indicate that Khoy has the first role in eliminating the service needs of it's area residences. Therefore, considering the suitable opportunities and the positive points and tendency of the provincial urban network towards imbalances in future, this city can play the role of center for the northern parts of province in service - offering sector and industry.

Keywords: Medium Sized City, Khoy, Centralization, Hinterland, Urban Network, West Azerbaijan