Explain the differences in similarities between french regional geography and the development of cultural landscape geography under the influence of carl sauer - Essay Example

Download file to see previous pages His argument that ‘human cultural action’ that shapes the visible features of earth’s surface through culture remains unquestioned. He said, culture provokes action, responses and adaptation by humans. “Culture is the agent, the natural area is the medium, the cultural landscape is the result. Under the influence of a given culture, itself changing through time, the landscape undergoes development, passing through phases, and probably reaching ultimately the end of its cycle of development. With the introduction of a different – that is an alien – culture, a rejuvenation of the cultural landscape sets in, or a new landscape is superimposed on remnants of an older one,” Sauer (1925), The Morphology of Landscape.” University of California Publications.
French regional geography was the effect of external forces taking place in other spheres of France. As Sauer argued, French regional geography, like any other part of the world, showed every sign, every scar and mark of history and culture on it. The static growth of the rural areas during the long rule of monarchy, the chaos and the horrifying bloodshed during French Revolution, impact of Napoleonic wars and aftermath, success over the vast oceans, usurping new colonies and competing to retain them, struggling for supremacy amongst other European powers, wars faced by France, the various political, cultural, military, historical and economic upheavals of the country are etched on the French landscape over centuries. Sauer says (Northern Mists) that France lost most of her ports and her north and southwest regions were ravaged during the war of hundred years. Napoleon’s wars had left bitter memories in both France and Britain. The country’s culture altered after French revolution, and so did the French landscape. Newly attained colonies had left far reaching impacts on European nations. Use of ...Download file to see next pagesRead More