Safvet – New General Geography Ottoman Textbook 1913 Empire Education with Many Maps

Yeni Resimli ve Haritalı Coğrafya-yı Umumi (New Illustrated and Map-Enhanced General Geography) – Sixth Book, For the Second Grade of the Advanced Level of Primary Schools – Safvet, 1332 (c. 1913)

Description:

This original Ottoman Turkish geography textbook, titled Yeni Resimli ve Haritalı Coğrafya-yı Umumi (New Illustrated and Map-Enhanced 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 Sixth Book (Altıncı Kitap) and was specifically prepared for the second grade of the advanced level of primary schools (Mekâtib-i İbtidâiyye Devre-i Âliye İkinci Sınıfa 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 combines extensive textual information with numerous illustrations, photographs and maps, providing students with a broad and visual approach to geographical education.

Printed by Matbaa-i Âmire in 1332 (approximately 1913), this is a particularly comprehensive volume containing more than 40 maps as well as numerous photographic and visual materials. The continents of Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Oceania are treated individually, with maps accompanying the geographical descriptions. The geographical, economic and political conditions of major world powers of the period, including Britain, France, Germany and Russia, are also examined. Photographs of numerous cities further complement the geographical content.

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 and modernization of geography teaching during this period.

Key Features:

• Title: Yeni Resimli ve Haritalı Coğrafya-yı Umumi (New Illustrated and Map-Enhanced General Geography)

• Author: Safvet Geylangil (1874–1944)

• Volume: Sixth Book (Altıncı Kitap)

• Intended Audience: Second Grade of the Advanced Level of Primary Schools (Mekâtib-i İbtidâiyye Devre-i Âliye İkinci Sınıfa Mahsus)

• Language: Ottoman Turkish

• Publication Year: 1332 (approximately 1913)

• Publisher / Printer: Matbaa-i Âmire

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

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

• Maps: More than 40 maps

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

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

• Photographic Material: Includes photographs of numerous cities

• Historical Context: An educational geography textbook published during the late Ottoman 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, cartography and illustrated Ottoman publications

• Condition: Age-related wear and deterioration. The first page is missing, and some of the coloured maps have missing portions. Apart from these defects, the black-and-white maps and textual content are complete.