Systematic vs. Regional Geography

Prepared By: Jedgule Revnnath M.A Geography II University Of Pune Dept - Geography

Systematic vs. Regional Geography There are two basic approaches to the study of world geography. 1 ) The regional approach studies all of the characteristics of a place that set it off from and relate it to other places in the world. This is the approach of your textbook and the main approach used in this course. 2 )Systematic geography, on the other hand, studies one issue at a time and looks at its variations in all parts of the globe. College courses in systematic geography include: physical geography, geomorphology, analysis of soils, climatology, environmental studies, human geography,

® Historial gecography

The ‘systematic versus regional dualism’ had been there in the ancient and medieval periods as well but became prominent particularly after the classic work of Bernard ravenous (1622-1650), a German scholar. He divided geography into; 1) General and 2) specific according to him ‘general

geography studies the earth in general, describing its various phenomena. Such a study provides the discipline with general laws and theories.

REGIONAL GEOGRAPHY

Figure :- Fields of systematic geography

As you look at the maps below, try to begin to see how these two approaches to geography are interconnected and overlapping

The development of geography during the first half of the 20th century has been marked by an increasing interest in regional geography. The climax was witnessed in the views of Richard Hartshorne (1899-1992) and Alfred hettner (1859-1942), when the concept of geography as a chorological science was advocated by full force. This led to the development of concept of geography as a science of areal differed ntiation. The idea of region was further streng thened by its usage in different forms, as e.g. ‘pay sag’ in France (blache), lands chaft’ in Germany and landscape in America (Carl sauer). Moreover, this was period when the possibilistic thinking was at its peak. At this climax phase this argument took the form of the old ‘hen and egg story. One group believed that the core of geography was regional; whereas the others believed that systematic geography was really indispensable. The compromise could reach only by the ecological approach to geography.

Alfred hettner

Richard Hartshorne

One such time was that of Emmanuel Kant (1724-1804). Kant substituted the word ‘physical’ for general , and classified all the general or systematic studies under physical it was under his influence that the geographers in the late 18th century concentrated an systematic or general studies at the expense of regional or specific studies .

Emmanuel Kant (1724 to 1804)

The dualism between systematic and regional approaches came to be accepted less and less with time. Various armaments were put forward for this. Firstly, the earth’s shell is filled with a multiplicity of heterogeneous phenomena of varying nature. At the same time the surface is also divided into a number of areas or places distinguished from each other in terms of some measurable aspects (natural or manmade ) - thus the totality of the phenomena at any given place is not a single integration but rather a complex of inter related segments .

The geographical studies require the use of both types of approaches of area study. Because the systematic geography attempts to formulate the rules and laws, which may later be applied to regional studies. On the other hand, the regional geography servos as the basis for explanation. It also provides data for analysis to the systematic studies. Thus, it is appropriate to say that the systematic and regional approaches are complementary to each other. They are inseparable and indispensable. In fact, one leads to the other and vice.