The Myth of Continents: A Critique of Metageography

by Martin W. Lewis (Author), Kären E. Wigen (Author)

Description

In this thoughtful and engaging critique, geographer Martin W. Lewis and historian Kären Wigen reexamine the basic geographical divisions we take for granted, and challenge the unconscious spatial frameworks that govern the way we perceive the world. Arguing that notions of East vs. West, First World vs. Third World, and even the sevenfold continental system are simplistic and misconceived, the authors trace the history of such misconceptions. Their up-to-the-minute study reflects both on show more the global scale and its relation to the specific continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa-actually part of one contiguous landmass.The Myth of Continents sheds new light on how our metageographical assumptions grew out of cultural concepts: how the first continental divisions developed from classical times; how the Urals became the division between the so-called continents of Europe and Asia; how countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan recently shifted macroregions in the general consciousness.This extremely readable and thought-provoking analysis also explores the ways that new economic regions, the end of the cold war, and the proliferation of communication technologies change our understanding of the world. It stimulates thinking about the role of large-scale spatial constructs as driving forces behind particular worldviews and encourages everyone to take a more thoughtful, geographically informed approach to the task of describing and interpreting the human diversity of the planet. show less

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2 reviews

thcson 677 reviews

A very thought-provoking book that everyone should read. Gives some indication of how our regular geographical vocabulary has been shaped by historical circumstances and vainglory. Also discusses some consequences of this fact and suggests some alternative ways of conceptualizing world geography.

May 5, 2010

sjstuckey 10 reviews

A dry read...this book is, as its subtitle implies, a criticism of historical treatments in geography. It is directed primarily at other academics and the prose lacks style, making for a tedious slog.

Jul 9, 2009