An Historical Geography of Europe represents the first multi-authored comprehensive study on the subject. It provides the reader with an analytical and explanatory account of European historical geography from classical times to the modern period, including the vast changes to landscape, settlements, population, and in political and cultural structures and character that have taken place since 1500. The book takes account of the vast volume of relevant research and literature that has been published over the past two or three decades, in order to achieve a unique coverage and synthesis of this very broad range of evidence and opinion, and has tried to engage with many of the main themes and debates to give a clear indication of changing ideas and interpretations of the subject.

This book brings together British and European authors from a number of disciplines who have considerable distinction in the various fields of historical geography and related fields, including a significant number who have already written on the wider problem of European historical geography. It is amply illustrated with maps and diagrams to present many of the issues in a visual form.