Development of Gorski Kotar as a Traditional Historical and geographic Region

Osnovni cilj ovog rada je prikazati historijsko-geografske razvojne etapa Gorskog kotara u okviru društveno-političkih tvorevina u čijem se sastavu nalazio kroz povijest. Prirodna osnova je kroz cijelu povijest Gorskog kotara predstavljala izolacijski karakter, što je uvjetovalo demografsko pražnjenje Gorskog kotara koje se intenziviralo krajem prošlog stoljeća. U radu se razmatra i problematika regionalnog identiteta stanovnika rubnih regija Gorskog kotara, prije svega stanovnika Ogulinskoplaščanske udoline kao prijelaznom području između Gorske i Peripanonske Hrvatske. Proučavanjem složenog interaktivnog sustava povijesna zbivanja – prirodna osnova – društvena nadgradnja – regionalni identitet definirane su historijsko-geografske zakonitosti razvoja Gorskog kotara.The main objective of this paper is to present the historical and geographical development stages of Gorski Kotar as part of various social and political entities throughout the history. Throughout the entire history of Gorski kotar natural basis represented insulating character, which caused a decrease in population of Gorski Kotar which intensified at the end of the previous century. This paper also considers the problem of regional identity of inhabitants in peripheral regions of Gorski Kotar, primarily residents of Ogulin and Plascan basin as the transitional area between the Upland and Peri-Croatia. By studying a complex interactive system of historical events – natural basis - social superstructure - regional identity, we can define historical and geographic development laws of Gorski Kotar