About Geographical Societies

Geographical Societies are, nationally or regionally organised, scholarly societies or associations of geographers and other practitioners of geography. Many societies were established during the 19th century by high-level persons from academia, business and politics in countries where international shipping and trading, overseas military operations and colonial exploitation formed an important aspect of their society and economy. Nearly all European Geographical Societies take responsibility for an important cultural heritage of maps, globes, books and expedition documents, drawings, photographs and artefacts.

The modern Geographical Society organises geographers, practitioners of geography and citizens, businesses, public agencies and ngo’s interested in geography with the aim to support and facilitate geographic research, education and application. Activities include publications, meetings, exhibitions, field excursions, media events, political lobbying, and international cooperation. National or regional (web)atlases and monographs are produced by many societies. Some societies or associations specialise in either scientific research or geography education and didactics, most national societies cover all activities of geographers and in geography.

The European Geographical Societies are, through their national IGU Committees, linked with the International Geographical Union.