Changes in the human migration patterns in the Maramures region (Romania - Ukraine)

• Main Author: Nicolae Boar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Société Royale Belge de Géographie and the Belgian National Committee of Geography 2005-06-01
• Series: Belgeo
• Subjects: Romanian-Ukrainian cross-border region; Maramures; human mobility; changes
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/belgeo/12492

In this paper we discuss the changes in human migration patterns in the Maramures region during the last decade. The term “Maramures region” refers to the historical Maramures County, in the Northern sector of the South-Eastern Carpathians, encompassing the superior basin of the Tisa river. After WWI, the region was divided into two distinct sectors, presently belonging to Romania and Ukraine. However, the unitary natural environment, a common history and their peripheral position justify a unified approach to the issue of human migration patterns. Before 1990, due to specific human and natural factors, the mobility pattern was characterized by seasonal agricultural work migrations. Due to the opening of new opportunities after 1990, internal agricultural migration was transformed into international work migration. Herein, we present statistical data acquired through fieldwork for two villages in the Romanian sector: Barsana and Sapanta. International migration rates in 2001 were, correspondingly, 6.4% and 4.8%. With respect to migration directions, the ease of communication in the destination country for lower educated persons plays a vital role.