Geografia : ciência moderna ao serviço do homem

Abstract

"Geography, a modern science at the service of men" is the title of a lecture by Prof Jorge Zarur on the occasion of the 10th Brazilian Congress of Geography in which the author tried to present some philosophical foundations of this science.

            Refering to the considerable advancement that can be observed in geographical science, Mr Zarur tells what he has seen and learns in America, where professors try to make out of it "a useful and basic tool for administrators"

            Mr. Zarur says he recognizes the endeavors of forerunners in Brazil of that new geographic mentality, but he noticed "there was want of co-ordination and of the due manipulation" of materials accumulated.

            Through a clear argumentation Mr Zarur demonstrates that Modern Geography is the study of regional contrasts taking the place of the traditional division of both Physical and Human Geography

            Outlining the course to those who should be Brazilian geographers, Mr Zarur speaks about their urging necessity of acquiring an accurate knowledge of our country; of her regions, in their minimum details, so as to be "an instrument for administrators", supplying them with analyses and data, also bringing them, at last, the realities of our country.

            Quoting the example of Tennessee valley works with problems more or less similar to those of the São Francisco valley, he shows to what extent the help of modern geographical science has been useful to the huge works American government has made there.

            Further on the São Francisco Valley Mr Zarur describes the studies that he carried out there and establishes interesting parallels with the American stream; he reports that in a short time the work he has written both in English and Portuguese, containing explanatory illustrations, will be put into circulation.

            In a practical demonstration, Mr Zarur presented a moving picture of the work accomplished in Tennessee.