Estudo geográfico dos portos e de suas hinterlândias

Resumo

Experienced about ports as a branch of economic Geography the A. proposes in this article a methodology to be applied in the study of the ports.

            He first makes some considerations about the concept of hinterland, passing after that to treat of some criterion concerning this study: 1- localization and site; 2- fluvial hinterland; 3 - railroad hinterlandia; 4 - highway hinterland: 5- the hinterland in relation to the quayages; 6- the port and the town that enclose it.

            In referring to the position of the ports he point out the fact that this position is not always the same of the town to which it pertains, following with an analysis as several ports, their position and comparing them with other foreign ports.

            In this study it's emphasized that besides the examination of the natural conditions of the port's site and its organization, a detailed analysis of the hinterland will be necessary, once it will explain the importance of the port in the national and regional context.

            Next he proceeds showing how a port with its favorable quayages may influence an economic region among other of identical geographical conditions and conquers it by the facilities granted by the customhouse.

            Analyzing the port's functions with a view to demonstrate how a port may have a geographical role, exercising a great influence on the hinterland which it serves by trading their products, he advises that to classify it one shouldn't consider only the tonnage transporied, but how the products are commercialized, the taxes that fall on them, means of transportation from the surrounding area the port and other characteristics of the port itself, so one can make a classification or determine the kind of function exercised by the port.

            He observes yet that the usual classifications about ports are inadequate to an economic and geographic study, so he proposes a new classification considering other factors beside that ones commonly used.

            After demonstrate how one must analyze a port in relation to the town which it pertains, he finishes his work outstanding the marked geographer's role when he makes a study concerning a port and the region which it serves.