The article deals with the correlation of transport network system development and the evolution of the population settlement patterns, considered historically by the example of the territory of the Crimean Peninsula.

Seven main periods of the transport network and settlements formation of the Republic of Crimea have been identified on the basis of historical-geographical features analysis of the region development. The time periods of the dominant influence of one or another type of transport system on population settlement have been defined. The results are presented on the map series showing the development of transport networks and the population dynamics of the Crimean Peninsula in the period from 1783 to the year 2015. Development of a database where systematic variety of materials are gathered from different sources preceded the creation of the series of maps.

The transport network configuration changes with increasing number of cities and population areas shown in the mapping examples; however, it is not just changing following the change of the settlement system, but it is the skeleton that forms its structure. The series of maps and their joint analysis makes it possible to estimate the population of the territory and the uniformity of its distribution, to facilitate the identification of trends in the further formation of the settlement of the Republic of Crimea.