Geographische Namen - ein Thema für Geographen

Abstract

The author emphasizes that geonames are not a recent field pf research among German geographers. However, geographical names are very important for the perception and representation of geographic spaces. In Germany some names like 'Odenwald' and 'Eifel' are very old, others as 'Pfälzerwald' or ”Taunus' were created in the 19th century. During the 20th century, physiogeographical divisions had been created in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Austria. They are organized like hierarchical systems, they are very similar and compatible to one another. A high number of new geonames have been created by geographers and other specialists. Modern landscape divisions are very important contributions towards a worldwide standardization of geonames by order of the UNO. In Germany the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names (StAGN) is responsible for all questions concerning geographical names.