The historical Sudetenland border and the current socio-spatial differentiation of Czechia: a quantitative look at the long-term impact of institutional changes

Abstract

The expulsion of Germans after 1945 and the subsequent resettlement of the borderlands are among the most important processes that affected spatial distribution of population in Czechia during the 20th century. Although the former Sudetenland border existed officially only shortly, its effect on the socio-geographical organization of society is still apparent, even more than 50 years later. The border could be conceptualized as a phantom border which, despite its non-existence, impacts regional differences. The aim of the presented article is to evaluate the relationship of the former Sudetenland border with the current socio-spatial distribution of indicators related to regional identity, social stability, and human capital, using spatial and quantitative methods. The data are from the 2011 census and were analysed at the level of municipalities, which enabled a close examination of the effects of border proximity at the local level. A strong effect was confirmed for all indicators, proving the importance of historical context when interpreting the current socio-spatial differentiation.

Present Climate Change as a Threat to Geoheritage: The Wildfire in Bohemian Switzerland National Park and Its Use in Place-Based Learning

“…It can cause the class collective to hold radically opposing views. Climate change is such a topic, and in the relatively poorer Czech borderland with a troublesome history [18], there are a large number of people who believe various fake news and deny its existence. Instead of thinking about climate change and the fight against it, they live their daily lives.…”

“…"Comprehensive geography characteristics are something that I require my students to be able to create in high school (ages [15][16][17][18][19]. However, for them, it is mostly a task where they just take in data and don't think about it.…”

“…The fire endangering emblematic Pravčická Gate, the main tourist attraction in the BSNP, epitomized a wake-up call for climate skeptics in Czechia, particularly Northern Czechia. Based on socioeconomic and electoral statistics and general belonging to the territory of former Sudetenland and the disruption of the age-long relationship with the landscape [18], we suppose that the region has an above-average share of climate skeptics in terms of Czechia. The catastrophe affecting their businesses or jobs might disrupt their lack of interest in climate change.…”