This book traces the development of the field of geography from ancient times to the modern era, exploring the contributions of key figures such as Eratosthenes, Ptolemy, and Alexander von Humboldt. Through the authors' engaging prose and use of illustrations and maps, readers can gain an appreciation for the evolution of this critical area of study. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.