History of Geography

Discover the fascinating history of the discipline of geography. Learn about the explorers and academics who created the maps and ideas that led us to where we are today.
Christopher Columbus (5)
Goodbye Dear AtlasAn essay reflecting on the changes in geography in the past decade by About.com Guide to Geography Matt Rosenberg.
zSB(3,3)
Sponsored Links
Zheng He BiographyA Detailed Life History 21 Pages of Biographical ContentBookRags.com
NG's Geography QuizzesHow much do you know about some of the world's most amazing cities?NationalGeographic.com
Geography Flash CardsUS, europe, vocab. Make your own or print from the 1000s online now.www.flashmybrain.com
zob();
Geography Ads
Geography of China Blank Outline Maps Europe Maps Historic Maps History of Russia
Ferdinand MagellanA biography of the life of Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese explorer who is credited with circumnavigating the earth.
Alexander von HumboldtA short biographical overview of the life of the founder of modern geography, Alexander von Humboldt.
Amerigo VespucciLearn about the man for whom the American continents were named.
Captain James CookLearn about the famous 18th Century explorer and his explorations.
Carl RitterA prolific 19th century geographer, one of the founders of modern geography.
Cheng HoThe famous eunuch Chinese Admiral explorer Cheng Ho sailed the Indian Ocean with his Treasure Fleet in the 15th century, long before Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Learn about Cheng Ho from your About.com Guide to Geography.
Ellen Churchill Semple Ellen Churchill Semple was America's first influential female geographer. Explore Semple's life and scholarship in this fantastic biographical article.
EratosthenesLearn about Eratosthenes, the ancient Greek scholar and head librarian of the Great Library at Alexandria, known today as the father of geography.
Geography in the United StatesYour About.com Guide to Geography provides an overview of the history of geography in the United States of America.
Grand Tour of EuropeThe Grand Tour of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was designed to enlighten the young elite of England. Learn about their travels to the European mainland from your About.com Guide to Geography.
History of U.S. Expansion and Boundary ChangesTrack the growth of the United States across North America through the variety of treaties, purchases, wars, and Acts of Congress that gave the U.S.A. the geography it has today.
Islamic Geography in the Middle AgesArab geographers kept ancient knowledge alive during the Dark Ages.
Jonathan Swift on GeographyJonathan Swift's famous verse about cartography.
Marco PoloLearn about the life of this great explorer who brought to Europe fanciful tales of Asia.
Mason-Dixon LineLearn about the 18th century boundary that became a 19th century symbol of the Civil War, slavery, and states' rights.
More Place NamesWhat country's name means "city of lions"? What country is named for the Latin word for prophesy? Find out the interesting meanings behind these ordinary place names.
Place NamesHow did the Amazon River get its name? What did the 17th century governor of Virginia have to do with the naming of Delaware? Find out the meaning behind these and other place names.
Prester JohnIn the twelfth century, a mysterious letter began to circulate around Europe. It told of a magical kingdom in the East that was in danger of being overrun by infidels and barbarians. This letter was supposedly written by a king known as Prester John.
Prince Henry the Navigator and the Institute at SagresThe story of how Portugal, under the leadership of Prince Henry, became the great center of world exploration.
PtolemyThis famous Roman geographer invented latitude and longitude.
The International Map of the WorldLearn about the huge project to create a standardized map of the world, known also as the Millionth Map, from your About.com Guide to Geography.
The Spanish EmpireA description of the Spanish Empire in the sixteenth century in the New World of Latin America and South America and Asia - New Castile, New Granada, and New Spain. From your About.com expert Guide to Geography.
Timeline of Geographic HistoryGain an appreciation and understanding of the history of geography through this online timeline.
Treaty of TordesillasDiscover how Portugal wrestled the New World away from Spain and the Pope, making Portuguese the language of Brazil.
Two Schools of Geographic ThoughtGeography intern Amanda Briney writes about the history of the two main schools of geographic thought in the United States - the Berkeley School and the Midwest School.
Union JackInformation and history of the Union Jack flag of the United Kingdom.
William Morris DavisWilliam Morris Davis is often called the 'father of American geography' for his work in not only helping to establish geography as an academic discipline but also for his advancement of physical geography and the development of geomorphology.
zSB(2,5);