La dinámica demográfica reciente en la Sierra Morena Cordobesa

RESUMEN: La Sierra de Córdoba constituye un ámbito espacial diferenciado en la provincia y en el conjunto de Andalucía. Los habitantes de los espacios mariánicos son el elemento básico en la ocupación de ese territorio, caracterizado por un marcado carácter rural. El estudio de la dinámica demográfica reciente de los espacios mariánicos y las diferencias regionales que presenta constituye el objetivo principal del presente trabajo. ABSTRACT: The Sierra de Cordoba is a distinct spatial area in the province and the whole of Andalusia. The people of mariánicos spaces are the basic element in the occupation of that territory, characterized by a strong rural character. The study of recent population dynamics of mariánicos spaces and regional differences, is the main objective of this work, with trying to identify possible inequalities and concomitants both regional and county differences. The demographic variables orused to characterize recent developments in mariánicos spaces are: the general evolution of the population in absolute and relative terms, crude birth rates and mortality, total fertility rate, infant mortality and vegetative growth. The study of the human component of the settlement will begin from the mid-twentieth century. The starting date is justified because the 50s mark a turning point in demographic trends that began rising from mid-nineteenth century, since different regions of the Sierra de Cordoba will suffer an exodus of migration, unprecedented in its history, which will result in a drastic reduction of its strength, reaching in some of them more than a half thereof. This phenomenon was not unique to our area, but it is common in inland areas and in the mountains of Andalusia. As we know it was motivated by a set of facts of a socioeconomic nature-related crisis in the agricultural sector determined by the low yields, poor ownership structure and the attraction that woult hold certain areas of immigration on the basis of new economic incentives. The immediate circumstances that compel the exodus of the population can relate dependence on a primary agriculture sector, mining, and poor development of the area in relation to the rest of the country. More specifically we have to emphasize the influence the decline a agricultural productivity compounded by the almost absolute predominance of rainfed crops on a lower soil component, together with extensive practices and a low level of mechanization. This acted to the detriment of the income levels of the laborers and small landowners who were driven-forced to emigration. On the other hand, the high natural increase recorded since the beginning of the century, except for the parentheses of the Civil War, to the led-headed mariánicas counties towards a situation of overcrowding of employees who had no place in farming or mining, and in decline from the previous decade. The important migratory flow was generated in the mariánicas regions, like so many others produced in the Spanish territory not only assumed the depopulation of large areas but also a profound change in the relations of the population with the territory. The changes affect not only agricultural structures but also the settled areas and habitat types, especially in the case of permanent migration flows. The almost complete loss of the spread settlement, the reduction in all entities of population, including the municipal, heading caused an irreparable loss in manpower and an aging in the population structure, a situation which in practice meant the isolation of a part of the territory and the loss of weight in the regional and provincial economy. We can say that the final step that completes the process of modernization of the population from Córdoba mountain ton has the peculiarity that it is an acceleration produced as a result of the effects of population aging and reduced fertility. Until the fifties there was a clear relationship between economic development and demographic transition which were modified by the various components of the natural movement of the population. Since the fifties the phenomenon of migration alters the relationship between economic development and demographic transition, reaching a demographic similar to those of more developed regions although for some different causes more characteristic of underdeveloped areas. In conclusion the natural dynamics of the Sierra de Cordoba may be summarized in the period covered by the second half of the twentieth century saying that positive growth of the fifties led to the emigration of the decades that immediately followed, while such migration was the cause of altering the structure of age in population that finally resulted in a dynamic population whose most characteristic feature was the involution of the same one. The mountain town that had experienced the last stages of demographic transition during much of the twentieth century debated in recent years of that century and the beginning of this one with a burden of an exceptionally low population growth and a relatively stable migration net resulted in a continuous flow of people out of their counties. On the other hand, a group of foreign immigrants in increasing numbers, although hesitant to the same extent that economic stagnation is more evident. A situation that raises more questions than answers regarding the future evolution, composition and structure of the population, which establishes the relations of production and determines not only the different economic exploitation but also the pattern of settlement and an important agricultural component in landscapes as a rural environment. The reduction in the agricultural workforce as a result of such an outflow and the rationalization of farming and agricultural practices has meant in practice an abandonment of the settlement of many mountain villages and a significant loss of rural habitat, not only of buildings but also traditions and agricultural uses that were the livelihood of an exceptionally rich traditional architecture. Regarding the immediate future, it seems reasonable that they will not produce any news worthy of consideration with regard to various demographic variables: low birth and death will increase as a consequence of the aging population although life expectancy at birth will rise. Therefore, the medium growth to long term population depends very specifically on the input and output flows of immigrants, given that internal migration tends to stabilize, the arrival of immigrants takes on a particular relevance in the indisputable evolution of Andalusian population, but not as munch ass in the province of Córdoba, let alone mariánicos spaces. So, all these circumstances draw an impossible generational replacement capacity, ie a regressive or stationary population situation in the Sierra de Córdoba, given the evolution of various demographic variables analyzed and the already negative projections that exist for the Córdoba area.