Otto Schlüters Mitteldeutscher Heimatatlas und Beiträge zur Landeskunde im mitteldeutschen Raum

Abstract

Schönfelder, G.: Otto Schlüter’s “Mitteldeutscher Heimatatlas” – a regional atlas of Central Germany – and contribution to regional geography of this spatial unit. – Hercynia N. F. 41 (2008): 159 -187.The article is dedicated to the famous geographer Otto Schlüter (1872–1959) and his scientific work. First of all, the historic-geographical regional atlas is to be explained, published in two editions 1935– 1943 and 1959–1961 directed by him self. The scholar has earned a lot of experience over a long time in order to geographical landscape research, maintenance of cultural landscape and geography of human settlements within both areas Central Germany (the hercynian region) on the one hand and the settlement area of Central Europe on the other. He also had worked successfully at the University of Halle (Saale) altogether more than 40 years as a teacher, researcher and organizer of scientific work since the year 1911. During that time many case studies in regional geography and history were developed and finished by him self and his colleagues to admit and survey the equipment of landscape sphere and its changes by man. The results of them could be used as sources and basement of the atlas. The regional atlas presents the traditional region in different manner at scale 1:1,000,000. The content of the atlas is subdivided into six chapters: 1. the land, 2. primeval history, 3. history of territories, 4. settlements, 5. economy and traffic, 6. population and folklore. Scientific comments are given to each sheet with the help of explanation notes. At least it is mentioned the task of the commission on regional geography under the umbrella of the Saxon Academy of Sciences, working in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and making full us of the scientific foundation prepared by Otto Schlüter and his colleagues.