ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HYDROGRAPHIC OBJECTS AND HYDROGRAPHIC INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE RURAL SETTLEMENTS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF PRILEP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RURAL TOURISM

Abstract

The purpose of the research of this scientific paper is to present the role and significance of the most significant hydrographic objects and hydrographic infrastructure (wells, waterworks, sewage and treatment plants) in the studied 58 rural settlements located in the municipality of Prilep: Springs, rivers, lakes, thermal - mineral waters, taps, wells, waterworks, sewage network and treatment plants by the end of 2024. The hydrological potential in the studied municipalities is part of the catchment area of the Crna Reka River, which is part of the Aegean Sea catchment. All river watercourses from the municipality of Prilep, as part of the Pelagonia planning region (Prilepsko Pole) and Prilepsko Mariovo flow into the Crna Reka River. There is no large source of any river in the studied municipality. Research methodology: For the purposes of this scientific paper, a survey was used as a data collection technique, and then the data and results were grouped, processed and calculated. The answers to the specific questions about hydrographic objects, hydrographic infrastructure, sewage network and treatment plants are presented in a table. Research results: After processing the survey questionnaires from the field research conducted during 2023-2024, results were obtained from which we concluded that the main hypothesis for: the role and significance of the most significant hydrographic and hydrological objects and hydrographic infrastructure for each village individually in the Municipality of Prilep, is still not fully satisfied by the appropriate infrastructure for the successful development of rural tourism (rural tourism) in the Municipality of Prilep, with the exception of a small number of rural settlements. Recommendations: In the coming period, it is necessary to invest a lot more in the village infrastructure with various projects, both domestic and foreign, of the Municipality and the state, and to continuously promote the villages in which there are good accommodation facilities and hydrographic facilities and hydrographic infrastructure (wells, waterworks, sewage and treatment plants) in the 58 rural settlements surveyed in the Municipality of Prilep. Additional information and promotion should be made equally to both domestic and foreign tourists, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the website of the municipality, tourist bureaus, international websites, international magazines, travel agencies, educational institutions (schools, faculties), tourism fairs, tourist maps, road maps, mountaineering maps, flyers, CDs and documentaries.