English - Convention on Biological Diversity

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COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTEXT
2.1. History of the human settlements and archaeology
The territory of the Republic of Macedonia has been continuously inhabited since
ancient times due to its favourable geographic location and climatic conditions (Section
1.4.). There are archaeological findings that indicate intensive human activity (settlements
and other objects) dating from the Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods, Bronze Age, Iron Age,
and from the Classical period (Archaeological Map of the Republic of Macedonia –
Macedonian Academy of Science and Arts, 1994). The findings are most numerous in the
areas of the Vardar River and Pelagonia, and in the valleys of some of the Vardar’s
tributaries. The current appearance and characteristics of many of the landscapes in
Macedonia are the result of the distribution of settlements from prehistoric times to the
present (e.g., degradation of the natural zonal vegetation in some regions, strong cultural
characteristics within certain areas etc.).
Modern settlements within the Republic of Macedonia differ from each other in size,
spatial organisation and social and cultural characteristics. Rural and urban social
organisation varies mainly with demographic and economic indicators. The principal
differences between villages and towns can be seen in the orientation of their communities.
Villages are oriented towards agriculture, in contrast to towns’ professional/industrial
orientation in the secondary and tertiary sectors. There are also other rural-urban differences,
such as the size of the community, level of dispersal of structures, social differentiation and
stratification, mobility, ambient surroundings and systems of interaction.
The shape and spatial distribution of settlements have always been under the influence of
demographic factors, but certain influences also come from socioeconomic, natural,
geographic (e.g., relief, geological composition of the soil, climate and vegetation) and
historical factors. These elements have been of major or minor significance in various time
periods.
Unlike the current processes – urbanisation, industrialisation and modernisation – where
people are fully separated from nature, in former times people cared for every centimetre of
arable land and forest. Now, no care is taken in deciding which type of land is to be
converted for urban use. These poor decisions manifest themselves by inhibiting the
functioning of ecosystems, and lead towards degradation of the environment.
High population concentrations in the larger cities (Skopye – 444,760 inhabitants, Bitola
– 86,174, Kumanovo – 94,589, Prilep – 71,899 and Tetovo – 65,318), the inappropriate
siting of industrial capacities and an inadequate communal infrastructure create serious
problems in ensuring a quality environment. Demographic, economic, social and
environmental characteristics within the population demonstrate significant rural-urban
differences.
The number of abandoned villages, as well as the number of small settlements, indicate
both an absolute and a relative increase in migration. According to the census of 1994, 121
rural settlements have been completely abandoned. While the processes of industrialisation
and urbanisation have had a positive influence on the development of towns and their nearby
villages, they have negatively impacted distant hill and mountain villages. Those persons
who are able to find jobs in urban or suburban settings are usually forced to migrate
permanently to be near their workplace because poor transportation systems prevent them
from commuting from the village to town each day. In many cases, a shortage of funds for
the purchase of housing in town forces them to stay in unauthorised (illegal) settlements. In
these illegally inhabited areas, even though the residents do not generally have the ability to
raise cattle, they are usually forced to abandon their arable land in the village. Such a trend
of migration can be seen on Table 1.