Regional identity in a geopolitically contested area: Preševo Valley (South Serbia) scientific argumentation and political use

  1. Arsim Ejupi 1
  2. Miguel Borja Bernabé-Crespo 2
  1. 1 University of Prishtina
  2. 2 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
    info

    Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

    Madrid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01cby8j38

Revista:
Investigaciones Geográficas (España)

ISSN: 0213-4691 1989-9890

Año de publicación: 2022

Número: 77

Páginas: 323-337

Tipo: Artículo

DOI: 10.14198/INGEO.19877 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openDialnet editor

Otras publicaciones en: Investigaciones Geográficas (España)

Objetivos de desarrollo sostenible

Resumen

This paper discusses the theoretical and methodological principles in the process of regionalization and analyzes the criteria used during the designation of the region as a category of special importance in geographical research. Methodological principles of regionalization were applied during the differentiation of the Preševo Valley as an individualized region. The Preševo Valley is a small region in South Serbia with a very favorable geographical position because it is located in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula between the Morava and Vardar valleys. Theoretical and methodological discussion highlights elements of a geographical and socio-economic basis that contribute to a regional-geographical differentiation of the area, as well as those elements that appear as an obstacle in attempts to differentiate this area in regional terms. A critical overview of the use of the name ‘Preševo Valley’ between scientific argumentation and political usage is also given. A survey was carried out to identify the main elements that constitute Preševo Valley’s regional identity. The main results show that this region is characterized by a mostly Albanian population, poor economic development, high migration rates, strategic position, and a strong national consciousness.

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