Geographia Generalis

Geographia Generalis is a seminal work in the field of geography authored by Bernhardus Varenius, first published in 1650. This influential text laid the foundations for modern geographical science and was pivotal in the development of geography as a scientific discipline. Geographer Fred Lukermann described Geographia Generalis as the division between medieval geography and modern geography.

Background Varenius was deeply influenced by the works of classical geographers such as Claudius Ptolemy and Strabo. Ptolemy's Geographia was particularly significant, as it provided a framework for mapping the known world using a coordinate system based on latitude and longitude, and the title of Geographia Generalis intentionally linked it to Ptolemy's text. Varenius aimed to build upon these classical foundations, integrating new discoveries and scientific principles, to create a theoretical foundation. Varenius considered geography to be a cross between science and pure mathematics, applied to quantifying things about the Earth. By applying mathematical principles and a systematic approach, he sought to demonstrate that geography could be studied with the same rigor as other established sciences. Due to the book's prominence, Varenius was known as "the geographer" within a decade of its publication. Varenius never lived to see this recognition as he died shortly after publishing the first edition at the age of 28.

Content Geographia Generalis was among the first comprehensive attempts to systematize geographical knowledge. Varenius aimed to compile all known geographical information and theories into a single coherent framework. His work synthesized the geographical knowledge of his time, drawing from various sources, including classical texts, travel accounts, and contemporary scientific observations. The book is intended as an introductory textbook, and therefore the mathematical content is considered to be intermediate. Varenius divided the book into two main subsections: general geography and special geography. These two terms were likely borrowed from the work of Bartholomew Kecker. The main focus is general geography, which was further subdivided into three parts: the absolute part, the relative part, and the comparative part. Special geography was further subdivided into three parts: terrestrial, celestial, and human. The subsections within special geography are outlined but not expanded on in the work. It is speculated that Verenius intended a complimentary book on special geography, but died before being able to complete it. Special geography is today considered to be regional geography.

General Geography

The absolute part

The absolute part contains information related to the Earth's shape and physical features. It is divided into six sections and contains 21 chapters. The first section contains two chapters discussing geometry and theory that are necessary to understand the rest of the book. The second section contains five chapters discussing the shape of the Earth, its size, its motion, and its composition. The third section contains four chapters and discusses physical geographic features, such as mountains, forests, and deserts. The fourth section contains six chapters and discusses water features, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes, as well as their motions. The fifth section contains one chapter titled "Concerning the change of dry places into rainy ones." This section details the transitions between climate zones, discusses changes in landforms and land cover types over time, and speculates on the underlying mechanisms. The sixth section contains three chapters discussing the atmosphere and winds.

The relative part The relative part contains nine chapters on the zones of the Earth caused by its shape. Light, heat, climate zones, seasons, and the appearance of the Moon and Sun are discussed in these chapters.

The comparative part The comparative part contains ten chapters related to comparing places to each other and navigation. There are two chapters related to ship construction and cargo. These chapters serve to contextualize the nautical navigation information. These sections demonstrate how the theoretical aspects of geography can be practically applied.

Special geography

Terrestrial The outline of terrestrial geography contains the boundaries of a region, its latitude and longitude, mountains, mines, water features, animals, and the fertility of the land.

Celestial The outline of celestial geography contains the relationship between a place and the equator and pole, the length of the day, the climate, and the observed motion of stars above the horizon.

Human The outline of human geography contains the stature of a region's inhabitants, their food, customs, religions, languages, cities, historic events, and notable people.

Appendix

Several additions were made to later editions of the Geographia Generalis by editors and translators. In the final translation of the text by James Jurin an Appendix containing many of these additions was included. This appendix contains citations to works published since the first edition of the book, figures, and tables. Several of these figures and tables were added by Isaac Newton.

Editions

Geographia Generalis had several editions and translations, with several authors contributing to the text over time. It is therefore necessary to check earlier versions against translations to determine what it originally contained, and the true authorship of the final product is ambiguous. The first edition of Geographia Generalis was published in 1650 at the Elzevir press in Amsterdam. The first edition was 786 pages in length, and written in Latin. The book was very popular but had several errors and is described as being rushed and incomplete. To keep up with demand, in 1664, the text was reprinted at the Elzevir Press with formatting changes. In 1671 and 1672, Elzevir press released publications based on the 1664 one.

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