The development of geography during the post Second World War period has been very rapid. The American and European geographers such as Hartshorne have contributed the maximum during this phase. Hartshorne described geography as a science dealing with areal differentiation. The present day geographers look upon regional approach and systematic approach as complimentary rather than contradictory.Recent Period
This period starting from the middle of 15th century and continuous with 18th early provides us enormous information about the physical and cultural nature of the world by the travels and explorations of early geographers. The early seventeenth century witnessed the beginnings of a new scientific geography. Christopher Columbus and Vasco de Gama, Ferdinand Magellan and Thomas cook were important explorers and travelers among those. Kant, Humboldt and Ritter led the geographers of this period. They contributed in the development of cartography and discovering new lands, and developing geography into a scientific discipline. Pre-Modern Period