Geography and Imperialism have been intrinsically linked for centuries, some academics even consider the modern discipline of

geography Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth description") is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, a ...

to have directly stemmed from

imperialism Imperialism is the state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas, often through employing hard power ( economic and ...

.Painter, Joe, and Jeffrey, Alex. Political Geography (2nd Edition). London, GBR: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2009. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 28 January 2015. 176 European imperialism in particular, contributed to the field of geography. As European powers sought to expand outwards and overseas, they required the knowledge to do so effectively. Thus, European expansionists relied on geographic knowledge for everything from

cartography Cartography (; from grc, χάρτης , "papyrus, sheet of paper, map"; and , "write") is the study and practice of making and using maps. Combining science, aesthetics and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality (or an ...

to the planning of

human settlements In geography, statistics and archaeology, a settlement, locality or populated place is a community in which people live. The complexity of a settlement can range from a minuscule number of dwellings grouped together to the largest of citie ...

. The field of Geography, however, also relied on European imperialism to develop the subject. The knowledge that formed the initial subject of geography was achieved through European expansionism. This includes information on the lands and seas of the earth, its flora and fauna as well as its peoples. It is unsurprising then, that many geographers during the time of European territorial expansion, were in favour of imperialism.Shirlow, Peter, Gallaher, Carolyn, and Gilmartin, Mary. Key Concepts in Political Geography. London, GBR: SAGE Publications Ltd. (UK), 2009. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 28 January 2015. 116 Although there are exceptions, geographers contemporary to European territorial imperialism aided in the justification of the practice. In particular, geographers gave European states the reason of

environmental determinism Environmental determinism (also known as climatic determinism or geographical determinism) is the study of how the physical environment predisposes societies and states towards particular development trajectories. Jared Diamond, Jeffrey Herbst, ...

, which is the belief that the environment shapes character and culture. This theory deemed Europeans to be better than others because of Europe's geographical features; due to this perceived superiority, European imperialism was contemporarily justified.Painter, Joe, and Jeffrey, Alex. Political Geography (2nd Edition). London, GBR: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2009. ProQuest ebrary. Web. 28 January 2015. 177-178

References

{{Reflist Imperialism

See also

References