Safvet – General Geography Ottoman Textbook 1923 Empire with Maps Africa Italy

Coğrafya-yı Umumi (General Geography) – First Book, For the First Grade of the Advanced Level of Primary Schools – Safvet, 1339 (c. 1923)

Description:

This original Ottoman Turkish geography textbook, titled Coğrafya-yı Umumi (General Geography), was written by Safvet Geylangil (1874–1944), an Ottoman-era geographer, educator and author associated with the modernization of geography education during the late Ottoman period and the early years of the Turkish Republic. This volume is identified as the First Book and was specifically prepared for the first grade of the advanced level of primary schools (Mekâtib-i İbtidâiyyenin Devre-i Âliye Birinci Sınıfına Mahsus).

The book reflects the educational reforms of its period and follows an approach that moved away from rote memorization toward observation, reasoning and logical analysis, expressed through the principles of Mülâhaza, Muhâkeme and Müşâhede. It presents geographical knowledge through a combination of textual explanations, visual materials and maps, providing students with a broader understanding of the physical and human geography of the world.

Printed by Matbaa-i Âmire in 1339 (approximately 1923), the volume contains numerous photographs of cities as well as a substantial collection of maps. The world's major continents — Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Oceania — are treated individually, with maps provided for each. The book also examines the geographical, economic and political conditions of major world powers of the period, including Britain, France, Germany and Russia.

Safvet Geylangil was educated at the Mekteb-i Mülkiye and taught Economics and General Geography at several prominent educational institutions, including Galatasaray Lisesi, Mülkiye Dâirü'l-Fünûnu, Darü'l-Muallimîn-i Âliye and the Commercial Schools. He later served as Maarif Müfettiş-i Umumisi (General Inspector of Education), reflecting his important role in the educational administration of the period.

Key Features:

• Title: Coğrafya-yı Umumi (General Geography)

• Author: Safvet Geylangil (1874–1944)

• Volume: First Book (Birinci Kitap)

• Intended Audience: First Grade of the Advanced Level of Primary Schools (Mekâtib-i İbtidâiyyenin Devre-i Âliye Birinci Sınıfına Mahsus)

• Language: Ottoman Turkish

• Publication Year: 1339 (approximately 1923)

• Publisher / Printer: Matbaa-i Âmire

• Educational Method: Based on observation, reasoning and logical analysis (Mülâhaza, Muhâkeme, Müşâhede)

• Contents: General geography supported by numerous photographs, illustrations and maps

• Continents Covered: Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Oceania

• Maps: Includes maps relating to each of the major continents

• Photographic Material: Includes photographs of numerous cities

• Geographic and Political Content: Examines the geographical, economic and political conditions of major powers including Britain, France, Germany and Russia

• Historical Context: An educational geography textbook from the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the transition toward the early Republican period

• Educational Significance: An example of the period's movement away from rote learning toward observation-based and analytical methods in geography education

• Collectible Significance: Particularly valuable for collectors and researchers of Ottoman Turkish books, historical geography, educational history, illustrated publications and early twentieth-century geographical literature

• Condition: Age-related wear and deterioration.