Evolution of Region

Evolution of Region:
Evolution or development of the concept of region in geography has been credited to start from
Greek- Roman Period, after which various scholars and school of thoughts promoted Regional Concept
in geography.
Finally region as a concept developed as a paradigm (modal pr examples) in 1930’s following are the
scholars and school of thought who have been credited for the development of regional concept in
Geography.
1. STRABO : “ He is considered to be father of regional geography as he was the first to declare

geography as a chorological science.
2. PTOLEMY – He coined three words in his work which help into evolutions of regional concept
in geography
1) Geography – which describe about the whole world

2) Chorology – which describe about parts of the world
3) Topography or Locality – Descriptions of smaller area
3. BERNHARD VARENIUS (1622-1680) : He made significant contribution to the development of

regional geography by dividing geography into “ General and Systematic regional
Geography”. He wrote a book on “ Geographia Generalis” in which he discussed about
General and Spatial or Regional Geography. He described Regional Geography in 3 section
1. Absolute Section – Shape of the Earth
2. Relative Section – Relation between earth and heavenly body
3. Comparative Section- Location of different places and their relationship.
4. Carl Ritter :- He is credited for making concept of Regional geography more scientific. He
wanted to study regional phenomenon by systematic phenomena. He wanted to see region
in terms of how different things have existed together in one region. In his book “ Die
Erdkunde” he discussed the regional geography of each and every continents of the world.
French School
Vidal de la Blache – He considered that nature and human (Man ) relationship develop
through centuries and this history constitute a Region. He considered Region as a reservoir of
Energy whose origin lies in nature but whose development depends upon Man ability in
moulding it. He didn’t mean by region as a clearly defined boundary, considered unique theme
of a region. He emphasised the significant of studying small homogenous distinctive
agriculture due to its soil, water supply and economic specialisation. He initiated regional
studies through the development of a concept called “ Pays” ( a small rural region).
German School
In half of the 19th Centuries, German scholar Carl Ritter (1779-1859) adopted regional
approach in his work. Ritter is considered to be the founder of Modern Regional Geography.
He also recognised Systematic and Regional Studies in Geography as two side of a same coin.
Alfred Hettner and Schluter – expressed their concern about the variation in the character of
the faces of the earth, which become known later as “ Areal differentiation” . Alfred Hettner
(1859-1941) emphasized that “ The Six Realms of the Physical world – Land, Water. Air, Plants,
Animal ans Man” must be studied in their spatial inter connections and casual relations as they
are associated in area of or region, to him the study of region is the main field of geography.
Richthofen (1833-1905)– Considered region as a core of geographical studies. He was the first
German scholar who differentiated between General (Systematic) and Spatial (Regional)
geography. He was the first geographers who propose the method of dividing earth into smaller
units(region) to study diverse phenomenon of earth.
The German school of thought developed the concept of “ Chorology” as a smaller region having a
definite boundary.
British School
A.J Herberton in 1904 presented a paper entitled “ Major Natural Realms or Region: An Essay in
systematic geography” was published in the Geographical journal in 1905.
J.F. Unstead – proposes a classification of geographical region on the basis of similarities in both
physical and human factors.
American School
D. Whittsley : A prominent American Geographers has a outstanding work on Economic Geography

is major Agricultural regions of the world. In USA a committee of regional geographers was organised
which drafted a document on regional geography (1954)defining the concept of Regional geography.
Richard Hartshorne: He is credited with a definitive statement of the regional paradigm. To

Hartshorne the focus of geography is on areal differentiation which was assumed to be the mosaic of
separate landscape on the earth surface
The regional concept has been a significant but often as a vague category across the social sciences
and particularly in geography. It was only at the end of 19th Century, in vein of Darwin, that the concept
of region got attentions of scholars such as Vidal de la Blache (1889, 1910).R.Dion (1991) give concept
of “ Cultural region” . This literally refers to a space on earth having homogeneity within and
distinctness/ heterogeneity with its adjacent boundaries.

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Evolution of Region:

1. STRABO : “ He is considered to be father of regional geography as he was the first to declare

1) Geography – which describe about the whole world

3. BERNHARD VARENIUS (1622-1680) : He made significant contribution to the development of

D. Whittsley : A prominent American Geographers has a outstanding work on Economic Geography

Richard Hartshorne: He is credited with a definitive statement of the regional paradigm. To

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