About the Book

The present study was undertaken because American geographers, though given to frequent discussions of the nature and scope of their field have been unfamiliar with the past discussions and more serious studies of the problems in question, particularly the studies in the foreign literature. Lack of understanding of the consistent characteristics of the field during its modern development as a discipline has led to dissatisfaction and recurrent attempts to reform. In place of presenting a personal view of what geography ought to be, the problem is conceived of as a research problem, to examine the field as scholars have worked in it and conceived it and thereby to determine what geography is and what are its characteristics and qualifications as a branch of knowledge. Certain proposals for change are for emphasis of certain concepts that have recently been urged among American geographers but have long been studied by European geographers, are examined and tested.

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Contents

1. Introduction

2. The Nature of Geography According of its Historical

3. Deviations from the Course of Historical Development

4. The Justification for the Historical concept of Geography as a Chorographic Science

5. ‘Landschaft’ and ‘Landscape’

6. The Relation of History to Geography

7. The Limitation of the Phenomena of Geography to Things Perceived by the Senses

8. A Logical Basis for the selection of Data in Geography

9. The Concept of the Region as a Concrete Unit Object

10. Methods of Organizing the World into Regions

11. What kind of a Science is Geography?

12. Conclusion: The Nature of Geography

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About the Author / Editor

Richard Hartshorne was a distinguished American geographer who substantially contributed to the philosophy and methodology of geography. His books “The Nature of Geography and Perspectives on Nature of Geography” are internationally acknowledged as the pioneering works of unparallel quality. He served the discipline of geography in the University of Wisconsin, USA for over two decades and nurtured the cause of geography with strong commitment and dedication.

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