Internal Geography and External Trade: regional disparities in Italy, 1861-2011*

摘要: This paper explores the interactions between external trade and regional disparities in Italian economy since unification. It argues that advantage of North was initially based on natural (in particular endowment water, intensive silk production). From 1880 onwards share exports GDP stagnated then declined; domestic market access therefore became a key determinant industrial location, inducing fast growing new sectors (especially engineering) to locate regions with large market, i.e. North. 1945 growth European integration meant foreign decisive factor; had proximity these markets.