Classical Period in Western Geography: Alexander Von Humboldt and Carl Ritter

Alexander Von Humboldt and Carl Ritter are two important figures in the emergence of a discipline of geography that has acquired modern-scientific character and whose work is systematically applied. Humboldt, who was born in 1769 and known as the founder of physical geography, died on the same date (1859) as Ritter, who was born ten years after him (1779) and is considered the founder of human geography. These researchers, both of whom were German, had gained an important place in the history of the development of geography thanks to their studies, approaches to geography, methodologies, scientific-philosophical views and many other factors. There are various studies in the literature in which the two names are concerned separately. However Turkish studies in which similar and different aspects are presented comparatively, and concerning the relations between the two are limited. This limitation constitutes the main motivation of the study. In this direction, the study aims to reveal the contributions of Humboldt and Ritter to the science of geography, their similarities and differences, and the interaction between the two within the period they were in by using the literature review method, and the biography method, which is one of the types of narrative research. Although the two important figures of this period, which is also called the Classical or Early Modern Geography Period, are united in comparative methodology, the idea of the unity of nature including human beings, organizing knowledge in a way that emphasizes its importance, and many other points, it is seen that the differences between the two are more. As a matter of fact, the two names differ in terms of field of study, the definition of geography, approach towards nature, working environment, whether they travel or not, and many other aspects. Finally, although not too often mentioned in previous studies, it is understood that there was a scientific-friendly relationship between Humboldt and Ritter that contributed to the science of geography.

Keywords

Geography, Geographical Thought, Classical Period, Humboldt, Ritter