Friedrich Ratzel

Friedrich Ratzel was a German geographer, anthropologist, and ethnologist, active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is best known for developing the concept of "Lebensraum," which translates to "living space." Ratzel's ideas emphasized the relationship between geography and human societies, suggesting that a nation’s power depends on its territorial expansion and resources. His work laid the groundwork for political geography and influenced later thinkers, including those in the realms of geopolitics and environmental determinism. Ratzel’s views had significant historical implications, particularly in the context of nationalism and imperialism.