# Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography

> Geography between basic research and knowledge transfer

**Wikidata**: [Q1813740](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1813740)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/leibniz-institute-for-regional-geography

## Summary
The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography is a German research institute established in 1992, dedicated to geography through basic research and knowledge transfer. It operates as a registered association under the Leibniz Association, focusing on country studies with its headquarters in Leipzig.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1992 in Leipzig, Germany  
- Located at Schongauerstraße 9, 04328 Leipzig (coordinates: 51.34663, 12.47194)  
- Legal form: Registered association (eingetragener Verein)  
- Parent organization: Leibniz Association (GRID ID: grid.461797.a)  
- Current director: Judith Miggelbrink (since April 2024)  
- Field of work: Country studies  
- Houses the Geographische Zentralbibliothek (Central Geographical Library)  
- Member of the Leibniz Spatial Sciences Network and Regional Studies Association  

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography?  
A: It is a German research institute focused on geography, specializing in country studies through both basic research and knowledge transfer. It is part of the Leibniz Association, a major research network in Germany.  

### Q: Where is the institute located?  
A: It is headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, at Schongauerstraße 9, 04328 Leipzig, with coordinates 51.34663 latitude and 12.47194 longitude.  

### Q: Who leads the institute?  
A: As of April 2024, Judith Miggelbrink serves as the director, succeeding Sebastian Lentz.  

## Why It Matters
The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography bridges academic research and practical applications in geography, addressing critical questions about regional development, spatial analysis, and global interconnectedness. By integrating basic research with knowledge transfer, it supports evidence-based policy-making and public education. As part of the Leibniz Association, it contributes to Germany’s scientific infrastructure while maintaining archives and libraries that preserve geographical scholarship. Its focus on country studies provides vital comparative insights into diverse regions, fostering cross-cultural understanding and sustainable development strategies.

## Notable For
- Only major German institute dedicated exclusively to country studies and regional geography  
- Houses the Geographische Zentralbibliothek, a specialized geographical library  
- Archives holdings at Saxony State Archives Leipzig (archive ID: 22057)  
- Unique affiliation with both the Leibiz Spatial Sciences Network and Regional Studies Association  
- Social media presence across Twitter (@Leibniz_IfL) and Mastodon with multilingual outreach  

## Body
### History and Governance
Established in 1992, the institute operates as a registered association (eingetragener Verein) under the Leibniz Association. Its historical predecessors include the Museum für vergleichende Länderkunde and Institut für Länderkunde. Leadership transitions occurred in April 2024 with Judith Miggelbrick succeeding Sebastian Lentz. The archives are maintained under repository ID 22057 at Saxony State Archives Leipzig.

### Research and Infrastructure
The institute specializes in country studies, leveraging its Geographische Zentralbibliothek for academic support. Its coordinates place it in Leipzig’s Paunsdorf district. Research activities span comparative regional analysis, spatial planning, and geographical knowledge dissemination. The facility includes dedicated archives and public engagement spaces.

### Affiliations and Networks
Key affiliations include:
- Leibniz Association (GRID: grid.461797.a)
- Leibniz Spatial Sciences Network
- Informationsdienst Wissenschaft (since 2019)
- Regional Studies Association (since 2025)
Social media engagement spans Twitter (@Leibniz_IfL) and Mastodon (@Leibniz_IfL@wisskomm.social), with follower counts ranging from 79–94 in 2024.

## References

1. [Source](https://leibniz-ifl.de/presse/details/neue-leitung-am-ifl)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://idw-online.de/de/institution158)
5. [Source](https://www.regionalstudies.org/about/memberships/corporate/corporate-members/)
6. [Source](https://archiv.sachsen.de/archiv/bestand.jsp?oid=04.02.06&bestandid=22057)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. Via P227 lookup with GND value from PM20 folder. 20th Century Press Archives
9. GERiT