RIJEKA MURA - ČIMBENIK OBLIKOVANJA REGIONALNOG IDENTITETA

The paper analyses the importance of the river Mura as an axis of the Međimurje region. The term Međimurje has been analysed along with the analysis of similar toponyms used in historical and cartographic literature. Mura has influenced the re-shaping of the space and thus the revaluation of the space along the course of the river. Changes of the course of the rivers Mura and Drava have also influenced the borders changes of traditional regions of Međimurje and Podravina throughout the history. The survey revealed that the inhabitants of Legrad feel the sense of regional belonging to Podravina region notwithstanding the fact that it belonged to Međimurje region for the better part of its history. The research was aimed at the influence of the changes in space location in relationship to the natural border and the feeling of regional belonging of the local people. Following the protection of the riverside and the river Mura itself as part of the Regional Mura-Drava Park, one feels the need to establish the balance between the protection of the space and restriction of economic activities, which stresses the importance of maintained space development.