This document discusses the differences between systematic and regional geography. Systematic geography studies one geographic topic or phenomenon globally, such as climatology or soils. Regional geography analyzes all geographic aspects of a particular place or region. While these were initially seen as separate approaches, geographers now recognize them as interconnected and complementary. The regional provides real-world examples and data to test theories from systematic geography, while systematic studies form rules and laws that can be applied to different regions. Together, they provide a more comprehensive understanding of geography.
1. Systematic vs. Regional Geography
Prepared By: Jedgule Revnnath
M.A Geography II
University Of Pune
Dept - Geography
2. 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,
4. 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
6. As you look at the maps below, try to begin to see how these two approaches to
geography are interconnected and overlapping
7. 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
9. 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)
10. 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 .
11. 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.
