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The scientific paper “Eesti maastikulised üksused“,“Estonian landscape units”, by the Finlander Johannes Gabriel Granö, the first professor of geography at the University of Tartu when Estonian had become the academic language, was published in three issues of the journal Loodus in 1922 and opened a new phase in Estonian geographical and landscape research.

 

Using the so-called Russian verst maps that had been completed around the turn of the century Granö compiled a characterization of the area of Estonia based on four aspects (relief, waters, vegetation, settlement). Juxtaposing these aspects he clarified boundaries in the landscape that to a great extent are used even today. Many geographical names designating landscape entities stem from Granö (for instance Lahemaa, “Land of bays”).

 

Granö’s works can justly be regarded as the first scientific treatise of Estonian landscape.

 

In 1923 Granö returned to his homeland. In 1929 he completed the book “Puhas maateadus“, “Pure geography”, where he used many examples from Estonia. The book was translated into English in 1997, clearly showing the timelessness of Granö´s work. This publication has made Estonian landscapes known throughout the world. Granö’s activities were not limited only to geographical investigations. The organisation of local geography, history and folklore studies in Estonia must be regarded as one of his great achievements. The most notable result in this area are the collective works on individual counties.

 

Text: Taavi Pae