A study about geography books published in the 19th century Ottoman Empire (1850-1900)

In the 19th century, a lot of geography text books were published in the Ottoman Empire. In this thesis, these books are studied: H.1266 (1849-50) "Risâle-i Coğrafya: Avrupa Kıtası", H.1273 (1856-57) "Fenn-i Coğrafya", H.1285 (1868-69) "Hulâsa-i Coğrafya", H.1270 (1853-54) "Muhtasar Coğrafya-yı Musavver", H.1289 (M.1872-73) "Zübdetü'l-Coğrafya", H.1302 (1884-85) yılında basılan "Memâlik-i Osmanî Coğrafya-yı Ticariyesi", H.1304 (M.1886-87) "Coğrafya-yı Mufassal-ı Memâlik-i Devlet-i Osmaniye" and H.1308 (1890-91) "Hulâsa-i Coğrafya-yı Osmanî". These books are reached from Atatürk's Library and evaluated the parts concerned about Istanbul and geography. The Eight geography books which is mentioned above, are examined and expounded in the light of modern books and articles. In the books aforementioned are given information about description of geography, its progress into a branch of science, writing books related to geography and the beginning of geography to teach in the schools. One of the main purpose of the study is to analyse Istanbul as a capital city of Ottoman and Byzintine Empire and evaluate its geographical location in the lights of geography books which is published in the second half of the 19th century. In this study, it will be discoursed about how the city were a center of attention by a lot of nation and culture. In this study, it will be evaluated the old names of Istanbul and their origins. Istanbul took different names. Some of them are Bizantion, Antonia, Secunda Roma, Nova Roma, Konstantinopolis, Rumiyyetü'l-Kübra, Taht-ı Rum, Gulgule-i Rum, İstanbol, İslambol, Payitaht-ı Saltanat, Taht-ı gâh-ı saltanat. Konstantinopolis was the capital of Eastern Roman Empire nearly 1000 years and after that Istanbul started to serve as capital to the Ottoman Empire nearly 500 years. In the geography books which source to this study are gives the information about Istanbul's historical buildings, mosques, churches, schools, towers and ports along with the city's geographical location. In this study, it will be given the knowledge about the description of geography, geography books, teaching geography in the schools besides of Istanbul. Another aim of the study is to evaluate publishing about geography books and the progress of geography education in the 19th century. Keywords: Geography, Education, Geography in Turkey, Geography Text Books, Teaching Geography in Turkey.