Abstract

VEGA Y ORTEGA, Rodrigo. Los estudios hidrográficos de México en el Diccionario Universal de Historia y Geografía, 1853-1856. Intersticios sociales [online]. 2016, n.12. ISSN 2007-4964.

The Universal Dictionary of History and Geography (Diccionario Universal de Historia y Geografía) was published in Mexico City between 1853 and 1856. It presented numerous texts on geography, including a series that sought to describe the range of hydric resources in the country. An analysis of the Diccionarios hydrographic contents reveals the scientific characterization of those resources reflected in the interests of the various authors, a group that included amateurs and men of science, Mexicans and foreigners, who together elaborated an inventory of rivers, waterfalls and lakes suitable for economic exploitation by the State or private entrepreneurs. The descriptions of those hydric resources spanned diverse regions of the Mexican republic, the first hydrographic representation that aspired to achieve total coverage. This study seeks to forge links between certain environmental elements and the history of science in Mexico by analyzing the hydrographic contents of this Dictionary.

Keywords : Mexico; geography; water; science; encyclopedia.

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