The Leibniz Institute of Regional Geography (IfL) was re-founded in 1992 and is the only non-university geography research institute in Germany. It specialises in research on the regional geography of Germany and also has a particular interest in regions undergoing integration into Europe and the ensuing transformation processes.
Associated with the Institute's research brief is an educational brief with regard to the propagation of geographical information on spatial structures and their development in Germany and Europe. Thus the Leibniz Institute of Regional Geography sees its range of responsibilities ranging from pure research to the transmission of knowledge, and sees itself as a partner of science and universities, teachers and students, politics and public administration as well as the general public.
The Institute, which is part of the Leibniz Association, is supported by the Federal Republic of Gemrany and the Free State of Saxony. The work of the Institute is supervised by a members' committee and a scientific committee. Internal and external evaluation procedures ensure that the quality and efficiency of research are maintained at an international level.
The Central Geography Library (GZB) in the IfL is one of the largest geographical libraries in Germany with ca. 200,000 volumes. As well as valuable historic volumes, it collects geographically relevant publications worldwide. A map collection with ca. 40,000 cartographic and thematic maps and a large collection of atlases supplement the library's stock.
The Geography Archive in the IfL was established in 1902 by Alphons Stübel, the founder of the institute. In over 100 years of acquisition the archive has become an important depository of the history of geography as an academic subject. The archive includes the scientific papers of more than 100 geographers and explorers, associations and societies, including Friedrich Ratzel, Hans Meyer, Walter Christaller and Wolfgang Hartke.

Facts and figures

Professors

3

Assistant lecturers

19
plus 2 doctoral candidates and 17 research-project staff

Emeriti and retired professors

1

Technical and administrative staff

23

Teaching assistants and research assistants

13

Foci of research

• Theory, methodology and history of regional geography
• Divergent and convergent development of regions in Europe:
• European urban and metropolitan regions
• Peripheral regions in Europe
• Regions in the process of European integration and ensuing transformation processes

Exchange programmes and international courses of study

• The IfL has its own scholarship programme
• The IfL hosts foreign scientists
• Institute staff visit other institutions
• Work experience programme for German and foreign students

International research partnerships

Country

University / institution

Theme

Latvia

Riga

Offices of the Leibniz Institute for the intensification of scientific co-operation with research partners

Russia

St. Petersburg
Moscow
Kaliningrad (Königsberg)

Ukraine

Kiev

Rumania

Cluj-Napoca

Bulgaria

Sofia

Litauen

Klaipeda

The Leibniz Institute of Regional Studies is connected with European and overseas partner institutions through co-operation agreements. Most of the 24 current agreements are with partners in Eastern Europe. An agreement made with the University of Kentucky in Lexington (USA) in 2002 has intensified contacts with English-speaking researchers.

Publications / Monograph series'

• Nationalatlas Bundesrepublik Deutschland
• Europa Regional
• Berichte zur deutschen Landeskunde
• Beiträge zur Regionalen Geographie
• Daten-Fakten-Literatur zur Geographie Europas
• Landschaften in Deutschland. Werte der deutschen Heimat

Address

Leibniz-Institut für Länderkunde e.V.
Schongauerstraße 9
D-04329 Leipzig
Phone: + 49 341 255- 6500
Fax: + 49 341 255- 6598
E-mail: info@ifl-leipzig.de

http://www.ifl-leipzig.com