Territory

From Geography

The term territory is most often used to describe a geographical area. A area which is not a sovereign nation or has a special status. Territory is closely linked to Imperialism and Colonialism where there is the constant need to increase one's territory. Most often at the expense of the local inhabitants (Said, 1994).

Territory and land

Where territory is mostly a political term, describing a area and labeling it with a certain status. Land has a more cultural term. Both terms are closely linked and overlap where designated territories form cultures. Land can be used when a area or territory is claimed trough historical heritage. Where cultures have used the same area for generations and claim as their land. The two terms clash where Imperialism claims lands and forms new territories of the Metropolitan world (Gregory, 2000).

Territory and place

For most people in the colonial age and even today the territories are a abstract space, a place on the map to expand their borders. A place they can mark on the map and have read about in books or seen on television. Only the people inhabiting the new territories and formed them into their land can view this area as a place. Where the local inhabitants have always viewed the area as a place.

References

• Said, E., (1994). Overlapping territories, intertwined histories. Culture and Imperialism. chapter 1.
• Gregory, D., (2000). Edward Said's imaginative geographies. Thinking space. p. 302-348.
• Cloke, P., Philo, Ch. & Sadler, D. (1991) Peopling human geography and the development of humanistic approaches. Approaching Human Geography. p. 57-92.

Contributors

• Page created by --DennisPrince 12:46, 26 October 2012 (CEST)