Geographically touring the eastern bloc: British geography, travel cultures and the Cold War

Matless, D., Oldfield, J. and Swain, A. (2008) Geographically touring the eastern bloc: British geography, travel cultures and the Cold War. Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers, 33(3), pp. 354-375. (doi: 10.1111/j.1475-5661.2008.00303.x)

Abstract

This paper considers the role of travel in the generation of geographical knowledge of the eastern bloc by British geographers. Based on oral history and surveys of published work, the paper examines the roles of three kinds of travel experience: individual private travels, tours via state tourist agencies, and tours by academic delegations. Examples are drawn from across the eastern bloc, including the USSR, Poland, Romania, East Germany and Albania. The relationship between travel and publication is addressed, notably within textbooks, and in the Geographical Magazine. The study argues for the extension of accounts of cultures of geographical travel, and seeks to supplement the existing historiography of Cold War geography.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Travel, geography, eastern bloc, Cold War, Geographical Magazine, oral history
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Oldfield, Dr Jonathan
• Authors: Matless, D., Oldfield, J., and Swain, A.
• Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General); D History General and Old World > DK Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Central and East European Studies
• Journal Name: Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
• ISSN: 0020-2754
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2008 Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers)
• First Published: First published in Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 33(3):354-375
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.