Some Elements in the Study of Port Geography

T I lHE literature of port geography has become more abundant in recent years both in the United States and in Europe. The subject matter has been concerned chiefly with certain functions of ports or with the geography of specific ports, but there have also been methodological discussions. In this article the author would like to bring into focus some of the basic elements of port geography-port, carrier, cargo, hinterland, foreland, and maritime space-and analyze them systematically as they apply to seaports.' This is not a final and all-inclusive statement but is intended to be another step in the formulation of more definitive general principles in port geography.