The Spezialkarte von Kleinasien, produced between 1902 and 1908, stands as a primary contribution to geographical mapping by Richard Kiepert. Spanning a scale of 1:400,000, this detailed representation of Asia Minor illustrates the technical precision applied by the German cartographer to document regions previously under-recorded in the established geographical documentation of the early twentieth century.
Academic Foundation and Early Expeditions
Born in Weimar in 1846, Kiepert pursued higher education in history and geography within Berlin and Heidelberg. His practical engagement with field geography began in 1870 through travels in Palestine and Asia Minor. Following these investigations, he fulfilled military service during the Franco-Prussian War before completing his doctorate of philosophy at the University of Jena in 1874.
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Kiepert collaborated on several major mapping projects throughout his career. Between 1874 and 1878, he participated in compiling the China atlas for Ferdinand von Richthofen. Simultaneously, he served as the editor of the geographical periodical Globus from 1875 until 1887. His work frequently synthesized data collected by previous explorers, including Heinrich Barth and Friedrich Gerhard Rohlfs.
Mapping African Territories and Antiquity
The focus of his cartographic work expanded to include colonial territories and historical landscapes. He authored the Deutscher Kolonialatlas and the Spezialkarte von Deutsch-Ostafrika. Following the death of his father, Heinrich Kiepert, in 1899, he assumed responsibility for continuing the production of the Formae Orbis Antiqui. These efforts helped maintain the legacy of established geographic research.
Professional Recognition
The Geographical Society of Berlin awarded Kiepert the Carl Ritter Medal in 1908 in acknowledgement of his contributions to the field. Five years later, in 1913, he received the honorary title of professor. He continued his work in Berlin until his death in 1915 at the age of 69.
Fast facts
- Born: 1846, Weimar
- Died: 1915, Berlin
- Citizenship: Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
- Occupations: Geographer, cartographer
- Education: University of Jena
- Notable Award: Carl-Ritter-Medal (1908)
- Professional title: Professor (1913)
Questions readers ask
What major map project did Kiepert work on after 1902?
He worked on the Spezialkarte von Kleinasien, a map of Asia Minor at a 1:400,000 scale.
Which explorers provided data for his African maps?
His work incorporated data from explorers Friedrich Gerhard Rohlfs and Heinrich Barth.
Achievements
- Carl-Ritter-Medal
- Recorded as cartographer and geographer
