Czech minority in Banat-Romania: A social geography survey

Abstract

This paper describes the Czech minority living in SW part of Romania, namely in the Banat region. The community is concentrated in six villages, where they still keep their language and national habitudes since 1820, when the first families came. They live very simply life based on agriculture, which is not perspective though. Therefore their population is still decreasing, especially amongst young generation. Potential chances for improving this situation might represent the 'agro-tourism', or at least financial funds, used e.g. for building infrastructure or improving healthcare. Second part of work examines the minority policy in Romania, its development and degree of equation between minority and majority group. Also, the conclusions underline the necessity of improving the economic life of Czech communities, bringing these communities closer to the urban life and modern society.

Keywords

• Czechs
• minority
• Romania
• Banat
• ethnic group