Depopulation is often discussed by geographers in the context of living conditions in mountainous regions. The intensity of the process is closely related to the altitude on which people live [Ciok, 1988]. The extent of reduction and its reasons were discussed, for example, by Eberhard [1986], Jałowiecki [1984], and other researchers. The depopulation in the Sudeten area was considered in the context of the situation in Poland [Eberhard, 1975, 1986], Lower Silesia [Ciok, 1994; Miszewska, 1989; Zbieg, 1983], and the Odra Basin [Miszewska, 1983, Rauziński, 1987]. Different areas of the Sudeten Mountains were discussed at length as one of the elements which influenced geographical environment, and especially, local population [Chachaj, 1978; Miszewska, 1979, Salwicka, 1983]. The causes of depopulation can be associated with restrictions impo-sed by the government after WWII, according to which there were quotas for settlers who could live in border zones. Also, it can be associated with a lack of significant investment, the decapitalisation of property value [Jałowiecki, 1984], the closing of factories in recent decades, and the limitation of resort and spa role in smali towns. Also, geographic conditions were considered difficult, and agricultural land was considered poor in ąuality. Before WWII, however, the region had been densely populated and people enjoyed economic prosperity. In the 19th century, there was a depopulation trend in the area. The devastation associated with WWII was not big, and the immigrants from the eastern territories of Poland that were lost in consequence of the war, could easily settle here. Unfortunately, farmers from eastern Poland were not used to cultivating land on high altitudes. The following themes seem worth discussing: - the turning point in the population history which divides the latter into two phases, increase and decrease in population (Fig. 1); - the speed and range of depopulation (Fig. Fig. 2, 3); - the demographic causes of the reduction; birth to migration ratio (Fig. 4). The last mentioned subject was discussed in 1975 with regard to the change in administrative divisions, and the fact that the data were not collected, therefore, the demographic changes could not be described. There were 76 administration units included in the study (30 towns and 46 counties) which were located in the Southern part of Silesian and Opole Provinces. The area under consideration is located above 350 metres above the sea level. That altitude is considered in studies on agriculture as the borderline of mountainous regions. (fragment of text)
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