The Andes of Southern Peru: Geographical Reconnaissance along the Seventy-Third Meridian

Isaiah Bowman

Sep 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

In 'The Andes of Southern Peru,' Isaiah Bowman embarks on an intricate examination of the diverse geography along the seventy-third meridian. Composed with cartographic precision and an explorer's keen eye, Bowman's treatise marries the rigor of scholarly research with the narrative vitality of a travelogue, offering a pioneering model of geographical exploration in the early 20th century. As a work of literature, it stands as a seminal piece in the annals of geographic scholarship, serving as a testament to the relationship between land and culture as well as man's enduring desire to chart the unknown. Isaiah Bowman, an esteemed American geographer and later president of the Johns Hopkins University, was among the preeminent explorers of his time, and his body of work reflects a lifetime dedicated to the advancement of geographic understanding. His journey to the southern regions of Peru, driven by a mixture of academic curiosity and adventurous spirit, resulted not only in this detailed account but also in a deeper insight into the complexities of the Andean environment and its impact on human settlement and societal evolution. Bowman's experiences and scholarly background inform every page, creating a narrative that is as educating as it's captivating. For scholars and enthusiasts of geography alike, 'The Andes of Southern Peru' offers an engaging journey through one of the world's most majestic and challenging landscapes. This meticulous reproduction by DigiCat Publishing encapsulates the spirit of exploration and the significance of recording humanity's natural and cultural heritage. Readers seeking a profound understanding of the ways in which landscapes shape civilizations will find Bowman's work to be both a valuable historical document and a source of timeless wonder and knowledge.

About the author

Isaiah Bowman (1878–1950) was a distinguished American geographer, whose scholarship was pivotal in shaping the early 20th-century understanding of American geography. He was born in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, and moved to the United States where he completed his higher education. A scholar with a broad view of geography and its implications for human society, Bowman was not only a geographer but also an advisor to presidents, particularly during the Paris Peace Conference of 1919. One of his notable works is 'The Andes of Southern Peru' (1916), which remains an important reference for the geographical study of South America. In this book, Bowman presents a comprehensive geographic analysis and survey of the Peruvian highlands, drawing from his own extensive fieldwork. His approach blended physical geography with human geography, providing insights into how the region's landscapes influenced its human settlements and cultures. Throughout his career, Bowman emphasized the role of geography in understanding international relations and world affairs, thus giving geography an important place in policy discussions of his time. His contributions to the discipline have been recognized by multiple academic institutions and he became the president of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, further contributing to the academic and scientific communities. Bowman's intellectual legacy is reflected in the way geographic knowledge has been applied to global issues, blending rigorous field studies with an appreciation for the interaction between human and environmental factors.