Carl Sauer
Cultural Landscape
Nil Rajput Period 4
Qualifications
Carl Sauer obtained his Ph.D. (1915) at the University of
Chicago, then taught at the University of Michigan (1915–
23) before serving as chairman of the department of
geography (1923–54) at the University of California,
Berkeley.
When and where theory was
created
The essay “ The Morphology of Landscape”
was published in 1925 while he was
teaching at UC Berkeley.
Point of theory
This theory basically states that the sum affects the
human population has on the environment is the
cultural landscape. This includes any changes the
human race makes to the environment such as
anything they overcome.
Examples
Humans have altered the physical environment in many ways
including the architecture humans build, the toponyms placed on
certain locations, burial practices, and sacred sites that are
established. An example would be Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It is
associated with a major historical event.
Strengths
This theory allowed for the observation of
human impact on society and its
environment. No longer did nature only
affect the environment. The theory could
determine cultural values.
Weaknesses
The theory wasnt very scientific and
mainly relied on visual interpretation of the
landscape, which some geographers
frowned upon.
Sources
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_landscape
http://apmodels.wikispaces.
com/Introduction+To+Geography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_O._Sauer