Maramures: Expanding human resources on the Romanian periphery |
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| Authors: | Nicolae Muica David Turnock |
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| Institution: | (1) Geography Institute, Str. Dimitrie Racovita 12, 70307 Bucharest 20, Romania;(2) Geography Department, The University, Leicester, LE1 7RH, U.K. |
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| Abstract: | Maramures is one of the remotest mountain regions of Romania and has been marginalised throughout the modern period, including
the communist era. Yet its human resources continue to grow with significant levels of natural increase and a growing labour
market in the more traditional parts of the county. After placing the region in its physical and historical settings, the
paper examines the communist economy and the strategies adopted by the growing population to maintain viable communities rooted
in cultural practices on which the authorities made only a superficial impact. Since 1989 the economy has contracted quite
sharply and out-migration has accelerated, while natural increase remains positive, but to a lesser extent than before. Tourism
is seen as an important source of diversification and significant progress has been made through the setting up of local tourist
associations and the publication of accommodation lists. Despite constraints, the business opportunities are increased by
closer integration with Hungary and also with Ukraine given the enhanced potential for cross-border cooperation. However,
even with continued dependence on seasonal employment outside the region and fiscal incentives for business development, arising
from a special programme for `less-favoured areas' affected by mine closures, it is unlikely that out-migration will be halted.
But the resourcefulness of the population could boost Maramures as a area of small-scale enterprise harmonising with the physical
resources and cultural milieu.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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| Keywords: | agriculture cooperation diversification less- favoured areas mining Romania rural tourism unemployment |
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