CARACTERISTIQUES GEOMORPHOLOGIQUES DANS LA PERCEPTION POPULAIRE. ÉTUDE DE CAS : LES SUBCARPATES ENTRE LES RIVIERES OLT ET DÂMBOVIȚA (ROUMANIE)

The main goal of this study is to compare historical and present – day maps in order to select toponyms which reveal the geomorphological outlines of the region between Olt and Dâmboviţa rivers; these toponyms help us to understand the “signs” of the land, geology and geomorphological processes of a region. This study is based on detailed observations of the toponyms. In the 20th century, official cartography retained some of the old toponyms, but these sources must be read carefully in an appropriate mode, starting from the geographical knowledge of the area, its historical and present – day man – environment relationship. Toponyms can be the key of the diachronic interpretation of the (geomorphological in this case) landscape. The toponymical cover of a territory offers various interpretations in the research field, requiring a complex analysis of both cartographic (and written) sources and field observations. The analysis of toponyms as geomorphological “landmarks” allowed a better comprehension of the land values in this area, along with its topographical and environmental issues; these form a vital element for the economic development and territorial support of the region. Local people have expressed the characteristics of the land in toponyms (archaic or regional terms). Our work was to identify, classify and map the toponyms reffering to: cleared and vulnerable to run-off erosion hills, isolated mounds, morphographic and morphometric features of the hilltops and interfluves, landslides, run-off erosion, specific landforms, saddles, soil and petrographic features, specific morphographioc and morphometric features of the valleys etc