EN
The paper deals with the mountain areas of the southern part of Poland distinguishing there different ethnic groups. The phenomenon of ethno-diversification which takes place in the Polish Carpathians has been presented. This diversification as a positive aspect of differentiation has been shown in the context of the conditionings of regional development. The relationships between developmental possibilities of local mountain societies and the development of a region have been stressed. Finally, the role and importance of ethnic groups, as well as their contribution to the activation of mountain areas in the Polish Carpathians have been pointed out.