THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HIGHWAYS FOR THE POPULATION OF THE ASTRAKHAN REGION

Nekozyreva Maria Vitalievna  -  student, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Astrakhan State University named by V.N. Tatishchev", Russia, 414056, Astrakhan, Tatishchev Str., 20a, mnekozyreva@mail.ru

Sharova Irina Sergeevna  -  Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Geography, Cartography and Geology, Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education "Astrakhan State University named by V.N. Tatishchev", 414056, Astrakhan,Tatishchev str., 20a, is_sharova@mail.ru

This work is devoted to the study of the social and cultural significance of highways for the population of the Astrakhan region. It examines the impact of road infrastructure on people's lives. The study analyzes both the direct impact of roads on the standard of living of the population (improving access to services, reducing travel time, increasing mobility) and the indirect impact on social and cultural processes (strengthening ties between different parts of the region). The findings of the study emphasize the importance of road infrastructure development not only from an economic, but also from a social and cultural point of view.

Key words: Highways, Astrakhan region, quality of life, economic development, social development, transport system, road network, accessibility, mobility.