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Geography, Cultural Remoteness and Economic Development: A Regional Analysis of the Economic Consequences of Insularity

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  • M. Del Gatto
  • C. Mastinu

Abstract

We study the relationship between economic development, geography and "cultural remoteness" (i.e. distance from the technological frontier(s) driving economic development) at a regional level focusing on the role of "insularity". The analysis covers all island regions worldwide and documents the presence of economic costs (measured in GDP per capita), due to insularity, in addition to those generally attributed to 'geographical remoteness'. Cultural remoteness, either measured in terms of linguistic or ethnic distance, is not the only cause that explains these costs.

Suggested Citation

  • M. Del Gatto & C. Mastinu, 2015. "Geography, Cultural Remoteness and Economic Development: A Regional Analysis of the Economic Consequences of Insularity," Working Paper CRENoS 201503, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.
  • Handle: RePEc:cns:cnscwp:201503
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    Cited by:

    1. F. Cerina & L. Cocco & K. Mannaro & M. Marchesi & F. Pigliaru, 2020. "Insularity and the development of a local railway network," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 37(2), pages 683-702, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Insularity; geographic remoteness; economic development; cultural distance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • O21 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Planning Models; Planning Policy
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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