Projects / Programmes
Regional Geography of Slovenia
January 1, 1999
- December 31, 2003
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.12.00 |
Humanities |
Geography |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P510 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Physical geography, geomorphology, pedology, cartography, climatology |
| S230 |
Social sciences |
Social geography |
| S240 |
Social sciences |
Town and country planning |
| S250 |
Social sciences |
Demography |
| T250 |
Technological sciences |
Landscape design |
| T260 |
Technological sciences |
Physical planning |
Researchers (18)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The research program Regionalna geografija Slovenije (Regional Geography of Slovenia), which covers the field of regional geography, the central branch of geography and a fundamental national science for any country, primarily comprises:
- analytical and synthetic regional-geographical studies of Slovenia and its regional units at various levels,
- comparative regional-geographical studies of Slovenia as a constituent part of the world,
- the development of regional-geographical theory, methodology and terminology including geographical names,
- the establishment and development of the Geographical Information System and the digital thematic cartography connected with it,
- the enlargement of the Institute’s geographical and cartographical collections, and
- the preparation of essential geography texts on Slovenia and its regions.
Methodologically, geographical regionalization and typification present the greatest scientific challenge, since Slovenia is renowned for its exceptional regional diversity. On its territory, the geographical features and influences of the Alps, the Pannonian plain, the Dinaric Alps, and the Mediterranean are intertwined, as well as German, Hungarian, Slavic, and Romance cultural influences. Here, the Geographical Information System is most useful, making possible the systematic and objective division of Slovenia by linking numerous items of information and data about regional factors.
As regards terminology and geographical names, the most problematic are names that are not names of settlements, particularly in Slovene-populated areas outside Slovenia itself.
From the point of view of content, an appropriate balance between the systemic and problem approaches typifies the study of regional units. However, knowledge of Slovenia’s regions is relatively small since regional-geographical studies are rare due to the pronounced specialization of the majority of geographers and their even more rare publication. A significant part of the research program is therefore devoted to the preparation of scientific monographs on individual regions, which is especially important now that Slovenia with its independence, its new social system, and its involvement in world events is intervening more rapidly in space, that is, in regions. Since all interventions should be scientifically based, the research of Slovenia’s regions must be an on-going process.
The results of the research program are published primarily in two of the Institute’s publications: the scientific journal Geografski zbornik/Acta Geographica published since 1952 and the scientific book series Geografija Slovenije in which two books have been published annually since 1999.
The research program thus provides an on-going, systematic, and uniform regional-geographical investigation of Slovenia; the development of theory, methodology, terminology, the Geographical Information System, and digital thematic cartography; as well as the publication of scientific monographs on the regions, which is consistent with the aims of the establishment and the long-term research programs of the Anton Melik Geographical Institute, founded in 1948 by the Slovene Academy of Science and Art at the initiative of Anton Melik, Academy member and Slovenia’s greatest geographer, after whom the Academy named the Institute in 1976.
Most important scientific results
Final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report
