CORE UNIT: REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY Mineral and energy production in the Mezzogiorno
TheMezzogiorno region is limited in mineral wealth. 1. There is natural gas at Basilicata,Molise, Sicily and Calabria. 2. Oil, gas, sulfur and potash has been found near Siracusa in Sicily. 3. The permeable nature of the rock and the regular occurrence of summer drought has limited the region’s potential for hydroelectric power.
4. The bulk of electricity produced in theMezzogiorno is generated in thermal power stations using imported oil and local reserves of natural gas. 5. There are no coal deposits.
Secondary activities in the Mezzogiorno Like many peripheral regions, wide-scale industrialisation never really occurred in the Mezzogiorno. It was bypassed by the industrial revolution due to physical and human factors.
Industry before 1950 Before 1950, theMezzogiorno was unattractive for industry because it had: 1. An unskilled and uneducated workforce. 2. Apoor local market with little money available for investment. 3. An underdeveloped agricultural sector. 4. Alack of resources. 5. Apoor transport infrastructure due to the mountainous landscape. 6. Aperipheral location – remote from large markets. 7. Ahigh rate of emigration.
The Cassa scheme and industry
From 1965, the Cassa scheme promoted industry and tourism in the region. The scheme received funding of €2.3 billion between 1965 and 1970 to promote industrial location in the south by: 1. Providing finance to small and medium-sized industries; funding education and training schemes.
2. Giving grants and tax incentives to companieswho relocated to theMezzogiorno in an attempt to attract industry and others to decentralise operations fromthe north.
3. The selection of growth centres for investment for industrial development (see Fig. 19).
Fig. 17 Naples was selected as one of four industrial growth centres.
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4. Offering cheaper land and greenfield sites for development and improving transport infrastructure.
5. Developing the natural gas deposits in Naples, Sicily and Calabria.