A Historical Geographical Analysis of the Development of the Croatian-Hungarian Border

This paper analyses the Croatian-Hungarian boundary and state border features and gives an overview of development stages of boundary/border through the history, including Croatian accession to the European Union (EU) in 2013. The aim of this work is to define if antecedent changes have had positive impact on the Croatian-Hungarian border area. I will examine the historical geographical background of the Mura-Drava boundary/border. Next to considering all relevant European and wider literature I will compare and if necessary confront Croatian and Hungarian scientific resources. Special focus will be on assessing the role and importance of the common border and its modifications in the past, with reflection on the current period when the Republic of Croatia is an EU Member State, aiming to join soon the Schengen Area. Although the changes in Europe have been very intensive in the last twenty-five years, from the fall of the Berlin Wall to biggest ever EU enlargement process (2004–2007), the favourable historical circumstances have not been utilised in the Croatian-Hungarian border strip. This area is still suffering from large geographical handicap, presenting strong language and transport barriers. The border zone remained a strong periphery compared to the two capitals (Zagreb, Budapest) of significantly centralised states Croatia and Hungary.

Keywords: Croatian-Hungarian boundary, 900 years of joint history, old European border,
geographical handicap, language and transport barriers, cross-border area, European Union

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