Population development, urbanization and regional disparities of Slovakia

Abstract

The ongoing transformation of society has profiled new regional disparities. Almost all authors concerned with regional development in post communist countries, especially in Visegrad Four, emphasize the key role of macro-location in west-east gradient existence and the factor of settlement hierarchization. Undoubtedly the understanding of regional disparities as generated by the factor of macro-locational exposure and the factor of settlement hierarchization is considerably simplified. Integrally conditioned arrangement reflected iii regional development of the state is present not only in territorial and settlement but also in sociocu1turaI and economical pattern. The arrangement has been formed in long development, in Slovak conditions with crucial importance of last 150 years (period after Austrian-Hungarian treaty). A simple comparison of the population development in particular regions of Slovakia and their urbanization before 1989 and present regional disparities allow us to identify some reasons of regional development in Slovakia after 1989