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For a New Geography
For the first time in English, a key work of critical geography
Originally published in 1978 in Portuguese, For a New Geography is a milestone in the history of critical geography, and it marked the emergence of its author, Milton Santos (1926–2001), as a major interpreter of geographical thought, a prominent Afro-Brazilian public intellectual, and one of the foremost global theorists of space. Published in the midst of a crisis in geographical thought, For a New Geography functioned as a bridge between geography’s past and its future. In advancing his vision of a geography of action and liberation, Santos begins by turning to the roots of modern geography and its colonial legacies. Moving from a critique of the shortcomings of geography from the field’s foundations as a modern science to the outline of a new field of critical geography, he sets forth both an ontology of space and a methodology for geography. In so doing, he introduces novel theoretical categories to the analysis of space. It is, in short, both a critique of the Northern, Anglo-centric discipline from within and a systematic critique of its flaws and assumptions from outside. Critical geography has developed in the past four decades into a heterogenous and creative field of enquiry. Though accruing a set of theoretical touchstones in the process, it has become detached from a longer and broader history of geographical thought. For a New Geography reconciles these divergent histories. Arriving in English at a time of renewed interest in alternative geographical traditions and the history of radical geography, it takes its place in the canonical works of critical geography.
Originally published in 1978 in Portuguese, For a New Geography is a milestone in the history of critical geography, and it marked the emergence of its author, Milton Santos (1926–2001), as a major interpreter of geographical thought, a prominent Afro-Brazilian public intellectual, and one of the foremost global theorists of space. Published in the midst of a crisis in geographical thought, For a New Geography functioned as a bridge between geography’s past and its future. In advancing his vision of a geography of action and liberation, Santos begins by turning to the roots of modern geography and its colonial legacies. Moving from a critique of the shortcomings of geography from the field’s foundations as a modern science to the outline of a new field of critical geography, he sets forth both an ontology of space and a methodology for geography. In so doing, he introduces novel theoretical categories to the analysis of space. It is, in short, both a critique of the Northern, Anglo-centric discipline from within and a systematic critique of its flaws and assumptions from outside. Critical geography has developed in the past four decades into a heterogenous and creative field of enquiry. Though accruing a set of theoretical touchstones in the process, it has become detached from a longer and broader history of geographical thought. For a New Geography reconciles these divergent histories. Arriving in English at a time of renewed interest in alternative geographical traditions and the history of radical geography, it takes its place in the canonical works of critical geography.
- GenresGeography
265 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
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About the author
Milton Santos
63 books64 followersMilton Santos was a Brazilian geographer.
Milton changed his world, by studying and teaching, onto an impressive path. He studied and he taught in Europe, America and Africa. He turned the painful exile that the military dictatorship imposed on him for thirteen years into benefits. Milton Santos wrote more than forty books in several languages; his work became a reference for all those who intend to understand in a critical way the current world. He was such an optimistic thinker, before anything else, that he got to distinguish the new from the innovative, concepts that he radically differentiated.
A serious and combative geographer, he didn't spare anyone of severe criticism -- politicians, intellectuals, department friends, and even the more faithful students. Gray hair appeared in his last years, but the professor would always appear in long-sleeve shirts and red tie, dressed with the same seriousness with which he worked with knowledge.
Some of his books include "Por Uma Geografia Nova" (1978) and "A Natureza do Espaço" (1996). His work "O Espaço Dividido" is considered a geography classic: in it Santos develops a theory on urban development in underdeveloped countries.
Milton Santos won the Vautrin Lud International Geography Prize, which is the highest award that can be gained in the field of geography. The award is modelled on the Nobel Prize, and it is considered and colloquially called the Nobel prize for geography.
Milton changed his world, by studying and teaching, onto an impressive path. He studied and he taught in Europe, America and Africa. He turned the painful exile that the military dictatorship imposed on him for thirteen years into benefits. Milton Santos wrote more than forty books in several languages; his work became a reference for all those who intend to understand in a critical way the current world. He was such an optimistic thinker, before anything else, that he got to distinguish the new from the innovative, concepts that he radically differentiated.
A serious and combative geographer, he didn't spare anyone of severe criticism -- politicians, intellectuals, department friends, and even the more faithful students. Gray hair appeared in his last years, but the professor would always appear in long-sleeve shirts and red tie, dressed with the same seriousness with which he worked with knowledge.
Some of his books include "Por Uma Geografia Nova" (1978) and "A Natureza do Espaço" (1996). His work "O Espaço Dividido" is considered a geography classic: in it Santos develops a theory on urban development in underdeveloped countries.
Milton Santos won the Vautrin Lud International Geography Prize, which is the highest award that can be gained in the field of geography. The award is modelled on the Nobel Prize, and it is considered and colloquially called the Nobel prize for geography.
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January 9, 2026Evidentemente se trata de uma geografia que era nova 50 anos atrás; um debate profundo sobre espaço em Castells ou sobre as mazelas da geografia quantitativa realmente parecem pertencer ao passado da disciplina. Mas é digno de interesse notar o quanto Milton "venceu" ao emplacar alguns de seus temas: quantos, dentro da geografia brasileira, ousariam questionar que o espaço é o objeto por excelência da Geografia? No mais, divertido notar a continuidade de temas entre essas obras, publicadas logo após seu retorno do exílio, e seus últimos escritos.
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