Geography in Switzerland

The article presents a summary of the development of geography in Switzerland since the late 19th century. After initial development placed weight on physical geography, there was a period after the Second World War until the early 1970s when human geography blossomed, mainly because of the need for regional planning. During the 1970s, geography in Switzerland searched for a new direction either as an environmental science or as a part of the Earth sciences. In a method-oriented development, satellite-based remote sensing and computer-based Geographic Information System were actively introduced. During the last thirty years, the field of physical geography has been productive, while human geography has failed to establish itself either as an environmental science or a scientific discipline with a global perspective. Notable accomplishments at universities in Berne and Zurich, as well as at the Federal Institute of Technology (E.T.H.), are summarized. Coordinated contributions that are internationally acknowledged have been made in various fields of climatology and geomorphology. Furthermore, the teaching of geography at Swiss high schools and teaching training methods at universities are outlined.