Original scientific paper
The market and its influence on the regulation of the Drava River and drainage of the Slavonian-Drava plains (Looking back at the 19th century)
Zlata Živaković Kerže
; Croatian Institute of History – Department of the History of Slavonia, Syrmia and Baranya, Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Abstract
The transport and economic significance of the Drava River in the 19th century, as part of the general trends of that time, laid in its natural and geographic significance, which became increasingly important as this transport route was used and regulated. Its connection with the Danube (transport route for many markets) and the pronounced agrarian structure of the economy, stimulated the navigation of the Drava in its middle and lower courses and ensured its economic significance at a time when the countries and societies of this region were adapting to economic expansion and responding to the constant pressures, particularly towards the beginning of the 20th century. Transport took place in both directions, from west to east and vice versa, particularly in the lower course, and navigation of the Drava was important for trading in the both the easterly and southeasterly directions, particularly towards Istanbul, which was an important market for Croatian trade during the 19th century. Meanwhile, under the influence of a strong precipitation or nival-pluvial river regime, the Drava flooded its banks twice a year, inundating the meadows, ploughfields, forests and dryland routes, making the drainage of excess water in the Slavonian-Drava plains an issue of critical significance.
Keywords
River Drava; lower stream; 19th century; importance; economy; markets; regulation
Hrčak ID:
112959
URI
Publication date:
1.12.2013.
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