Alpenkunde

Alpenkunde is a German term for the study of the Alpine region. It denotes an interdisciplinary approach that treats the Alps as a complex natural and cultural landscape. The field integrates natural sciences—such as physical geography, geology, climate science, hydrology, botany and zoology—with human sciences including geography, history, linguistics, ethnology and economics. Its aim is to describe, explain and interpret both the environment and the societies that inhabit the Alpine area.

Key topics include geomorphology and glaciology, biodiversity and ecosystems, climate change impacts, water resources, hazards and conservation. Cultural aspects cover Alpine languages, folklore, traditions, architecture and the social dynamics of mountain communities. In practice, Alpenkunde uses fieldwork, interdisciplinary research, historical sources, cartography and GIS, and often entails cross-border collaboration because the Alps span several European countries.

Geographically, the Alps extend across parts of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovenia and Switzerland, and are commonly subdivided into Western, Central and Eastern (Southern) subregions. The term also appears in historical and educational contexts to describe regional knowledge about mountainous areas and their cultures.

Historically, Alpenkunde emerged in the 19th century within German-speaking geography and natural history as a way to consolidate knowledge about the Alpine world. In contemporary academia, the label is less common as a formal discipline and is frequently encompassed by Alpine studies, regional geography or environmental science. Nonetheless, Alpenkunde remains a recognizable concept for summarizing and communicating knowledge about the Alps.