Mapping Regional Economic Activity Using DMSP/OLS Nighttime Light Data

This paper extends the use of network theory to the study of region network modeling between China and five central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kirghiz Tanzania, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) using the DMSP/OLS nighttime light data. In this paper, first, regional scale index and region interaction index are designed and calculated. Then based on these indices, the 0–1 region incidence matrix is obtained and the region network is constructed. Furthermore, the regional economic activity is identified by using the region network. This study deepens the application of complex network in the field of regional cooperation.