The History of Geography in Munich
Geography in Munich can look back on more than 150 years of history.
History of the Department
The Department of Geography has only existed in its current form since 2007, but can look back on a long and multifaceted history. It combines the academic tradition and history of three different institutes of Munich geography, which were once based in different faculties and universities. While physical geography was always based at LMU, anthropogeography was split between TUM (social and urban geography) and LMU's Faculty of Economic Sciences (economic geography).
The establishment of the department was also accompanied by a reorientation. The fact that physical and anthropogeography were now under one roof also proved to be an opportunity to do academic justice to the complex interrelationships between humans and the environment in a way that had not been possible before. Climate change and geographies of sustainability became central themes.
150 Years, 3 Institutes, 2 Universities, 1 Department.
The Department of Geography combines the tradition of three historical institutes of Munich geography.
Albrecht Penck & Friedrich Ratzel: Munich Geographers
Certificate documenting the appointment of Albrecht Penck, the first representative of the subject of geography at the LMU, as the "Corresponding Member" of the Munich Geographical Society from 1886. Also visible is the signature of Friedrich Ratzel, the first long-term chairholder at the TUM Institute of Geography and at that time the first chairman of the society.
