Abstract: The spatial differentiation characteristics and influencing factors of rural settlements in eastern hilly region and western basin region are explored in Jinzhong city. The data of rural settlements in the change survey database in 2018 are extracted and integrated with grid statistics. The spatial pattern of rural settlements in the study area is explored by using GIS spatial analysis, and the factors affecting its size and distribution are quantitatively analyzed by geographic detector model.The results show that through the regional comparative analysis, different geomorphic features of rural settlement landscape morphology, density, distribution and coordination of all exist obvious difference; The larger the scale of rural settlements in western basin area is, the simpler and more complex it is, with better aggregation and connectivity. The overall distribution pattern around the central urban area is centralized in the middle and sparse at the edge; On the contrary, in the eastern hilly region, the smaller the scale of rural settlements is, the simpler the shape is, and the spatial distribution is relatively scattered, showing a small-scale agglomeration, and the overall distribution pattern is dense in the north and sparse in the south. Factors influencing the basin of the west and east of the rural residential areas affected by various factors and the range of hilly region degree has the characteristics of similarity and difference coexist, the difference is in the natural conditions and geographical characteristics of the rural residential areas of the western basin spatial layout has a decisive role, in the eastern hilly region affected; Different level of economic development is the main cause of two regional differences. Different stages of development, the economy and social life level of rural residential land use spatial pattern of the impact of the difference is obvious.

Key words: rural residential areas, the spatial distribution characteristic, grid, geographical detector, Jinzhong city