The classification of human geographical subjects, their common and distinctive features has been noted. The place of geography of religion in the system of human geographical sciences has been traced. The object and subject of study of geography of religion has been identified. The regional investigations of sphere of religion have been analysed and approaches to its study have been systemized. Key words: geography of religion, sacred geography, religious sphere, social geography, human geography.
Abstract
Following the conquest of Baghdad in 1534, the Ottoman Empire pursued a wide range of policies to maintain the shrines of Muslim saints buried in the province, many of whom were revered by both the Sunni Ottomans and the Shiʿi Safavids. Ottoman endeavors entailed active management of the Tigris and Euphrates waters to provision inland shrines with water and guard those on the riverbanks from damaging floods. With a hydraulic infrastructure, the Ottomans appropriated the memories of the saints of Baghdad and reinforced their territorial claims to the province in the face of a rising Shiʿi power in Persia. The story highlights the political and religious dimensions of water control in a sacred geography as imperial conflicts within Islamdom and Christendom redrew the map of Eurasia.
Social and geographical essence of regional research of religious sphere
