Economic Development of Rural Areas in Border Territories: Threats and Opportunities

Border regions are defined as those where part of their territory is delimited by an international border. These regions often have lower levels of development and economic activity. For example, in the Portuguese-Spanish border, rural areas on both sides of "the border" are characterized by their predominantly agricultural character, low population density, ageing human resources, and income and skill levels below the respective national averages. To explain the lower level of development of these types of regions, it is essential to refer to their isolation, derived from a notable lack of communication infrastructures, or their remoteness from the main centres of economic activity and tourist demand in their respective countries. The purpose of this Special Issue is to analyze the opportunities and threats facing rural and agricultural development strategies implemented in such areas. Approaching this issue from an international perspective is enriching. Sometimes, the aforementioned characteristics of these rural areas have resulted in a lower level of development, which, in turn, has meant the preservation of a remarkable historical, artistic, cultural, and environmental heritage that constitutes an asset of particular relevance for tourism development strategies. Using a case study methodology, the reprint also includes contributions that analyze the influence of the border itself on regional development strategies from a broad perspective.