# Department of Physical Geography, Stockholms University

> heritage institution

**Wikidata**: [Q18290964](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18290964)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/department-of-physical-geography-stockholms-university

## Summary
The Department of Physical Geography at Stockholm University is a research institute and heritage institution located in Stockholm, Sweden. It operates within the fields of geography and higher education, conducting systematic investigation to generate new knowledge in physical geography without the primary focus on granting degrees typical of broader university departments.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** Department of Physical Geography, Stockholm University (also referred to as Stockholms universitet. Institut för naturgeografi).
- **Entity Type:** Research institute.
- **Location:** Stockholm, Sweden.
- **Coordinates:** 59.36563888888889 N, 18.058083333333332 E.
- **Website:** https://www.natgeo.su.se/
- **Field of Work:** Geography, Higher Education.
- **Classification:** Heritage institution (as per Wikidata description).
- **Identifiers:**
    - VIAF ID: 80145192861170410387
    - NL CR AUT ID: ko2015895993
- **Wikipedia Coverage:** Available in Swedish (sv).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of the Department of Physical Geography at Stockholm University?
A: As a research institute, its core purpose is to conduct research in the field of geography, specifically focusing on physical geography. It is dedicated to generating new knowledge through systematic investigation.

### Q: Is the Department of Physical Geography a degree-granting body?
A: The provided source material classifies it as a research institute, which generally does not grant degrees or provide undergraduate education, focusing instead on research. It is listed as working in the field of higher education, likely contributing to the broader university's academic mission.

### Q: Where is the department located?
A: The department is located in Stockholm, Sweden, at the coordinates 59.36563888888889 N, 18.058083333333332 E. This places it within the main campus or associated facilities of Stockholm University.

## Why It Matters
The Department of Physical Geography at Stockholm University serves as a dedicated engine of discovery in its specific field. As a specialized research institute, it allows for focused, long-term, and potentially high-risk scientific inquiry into physical geography without the divided attention that can come from teaching obligations typical of standard university departments. It is recognized as a heritage institution, indicating its role in preserving or being a significant part of academic or cultural history. By concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation, the department accelerates breakthroughs and provides a space where scientists can pursue complex problems related to the Earth's surface and natural processes.

## Notable For
- Being a dedicated research institute focused exclusively on research activities in physical geography.
- Its classification as a heritage institution, marking its significance beyond just a standard academic department.
- Its precise geographic location and identification within global knowledge systems, including VIAF and Wikidata.
- Operating at the intersection of specialized research and the broader field of higher education.

## Body
### Classification and Purpose
The Department of Physical Geography at Stockholm University is formally classified as a **research institute**. This classification distinguishes it from organizations whose primary purpose is teaching or commercial enterprise. A research institute exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. The department's primary fields of work are **geography** and **higher education**.

### Geographic Location and Identification
The department is physically located in **Stockholm, Sweden**. Its precise coordinates are **59.36563888888889 N, 18.058083333333332 E**. This specific location data is sourced from the department's own website (https://www.natgeo.su.se/om-oss).

The entity is cataloged in several international authority files and knowledge bases:
- **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File):** 80145192861170410387
- **NL CR AUT ID (National Library of the Czech Republic Authority Database):** ko2015895993, which lists its alternative name as "Stockholms universitet. Institut för naturgeografi."

### Description and Data Sources
The department is described as a **heritage institution** in Wikidata. It has been documented and described by the **Open GLAM Survey** on multiple dates, including October 31, 2019; April 30, 2020; August 3, 2021; March 1, 2022; July 2, 2023; June 27, 2023; and May 16, 2024. This repeated tracking highlights its ongoing relevance in the landscape of cultural and academic heritage institutions.

The concept of the research institute itself, of which this department is an instance, is a globally recognized organizational form. Research institutes are differentiated from scientific societies, think tanks, and research centers by their singular focus on conducting hands-on investigation to generate knowledge.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.natgeo.su.se/om-oss)
4. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 31 October 2019](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20191031)
5. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 30 April 2020](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20200430)
6. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 3 August 2021](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20210803)
7. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 17 February 2022](https://archive.org/details/OpenGLAM_Survey_20220217)
8. [Source](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WPS-KJptUJ-o8SXtg00llcxq0IKJu8eO6Ege_GrLaNc)
9. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 27 June 2023](https://archive.org/details/open-glam-survey-backup-20230627)
10. [Open GLAM Survey, version of 16 May 2024](https://archive.org/details/open-glam-survey-backup-20240516)