# Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Institut für Geographie

> research institute

**Wikidata**: [Q101260461](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101260461)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/friedrich-alexander-universitat-erlangen-nurnberg-institut-fur-geographie

## Summary
The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Institut für Geographie is a research institute situated in Erlangen, Germany. It operates as a distinct organizational unit within the larger Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, dedicated to the primary purpose of conducting systematic investigation and generating new knowledge.

## Key Facts
*   **Entity Name:** Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Institut für Geographie
*   **Instance of:** Research institute
*   **Parent Organization:** Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
*   **Location:** Erlangen, Germany
*   **Ringgold ID:** 64321
*   **Primary Function:** Conducting research and generating new knowledge
*   **Formal Classification:** Classified under schema.org as a ResearchOrganization and Thing
*   **Library Classification:** Associated with Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406 and Geonames feature code S.ITTR

## FAQs

### What is the primary function of the Institut für Geographie?
The institute functions as a research institute, which is an organization existing specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation rather than focusing on teaching or commercial activities.

### Where is the institute located?
The institute is headquartered in the city of Erlangen, which is located within the country of Germany.

### How is the institute identified in academic databases?
The organization holds a Ringgold ID of 64321. Ringgold identifiers are used widely within the scholarly publishing community to uniquely identify institutions and organizations.

### How does this organization differ from a think tank?
While the institute conducts research, it differs from think tanks in that research institutes focus on fundamental scientific inquiry across all disciplines, whereas think tanks primarily conduct policy-oriented research to influence government and public policy decisions.

## Why It Matters
The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Institut für Geographie serves as a dedicated engine of discovery within the German academic landscape. By operating as a specialized research institute, it provides a focused environment for scientific inquiry that is distinct from the teaching-heavy workload of standard university departments. This structure allows researchers to pursue long-term, high-risk investigations that accelerate breakthroughs in the field of geography. Such institutes act as critical infrastructure for addressing global challenges, offering a space where scientists can concentrate resources and talent purely on investigation without the distractions common in corporate or purely educational settings.

## Notable For
*   **Dedicated Research Focus:** Exists purely to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation, free from the commercial pressures of corporate research.
*   **Standardized Identification:** Recognized through formal identification systems, including Ringgold ID 64321 and schema.org/ResearchOrganization classification.
*   **Global Context:** Operates as part of a broader category of organizations recognized globally, with the concept of "research institute" appearing across 41 different Wikipedia language editions.
*   **Organizational Structure:** Distinguished from scientific societies and learned societies by being an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation rather than serving as a membership organization.

## Body

### Organizational Classification and Affiliation
The Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg Institut für Geographie is formally classified as a research institute. This categorization places it within a specific segment of knowledge-producing institutions that are distinct from universities (which balance teaching) and companies (which pursue commercial ends). The institute is a sub-unit or part of the broader Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg system. In structured data systems, this entity is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` and `schema.org/Thing`, indicating its role as a distinct entity within the web of academic knowledge.

### Geographic Location and Identity
The institute is physically headquartered in Erlangen, Germany. This location places the organization within a major hub of German higher education and research. For the purposes of global database tracking and supply chain management in research, the organization has been assigned the Ringgold ID 64321. Additionally, the concept of its organizational type is identified by the Geonames feature code S.ITTR (Research Institute) and the Library of Congress authority ID sh85113043, while the German National Library assigns the broader class a GND ID of 4017909-6.

### Operational Nature and Distinctions
The institute operates as an operational entity conducting hands-on investigation. This distinguishes it from related types of organizations:
*   **vs. Scientific Societies:** Unlike scientific or learned societies, which function primarily as membership organizations, the institute is a facility for active work.
*   **vs. Think Tanks:** The institute pursues fundamental inquiry across disciplines rather than focusing on policy influence.
*   **vs. Research Centers:** As a research institute, it represents a standalone or distinct primary purpose entity, whereas research centers are often sub-units within larger hybrid organizations.

These distinctions allow the institute to serve as a dedicated space for focused scientific advancement, adhering to the definition of an organization whose sole purpose is conducting research.

## References

1. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions