International Geographical Union

Summary

Founded in Brussels in 1922, the International Geographical Union (IGU) promotes geographical research, international scientific cooperation, dissemination of data and publications, and compatibility of geographical methods and terminology. This article outlines its membership, governance, and scientific activities. The IGU primarily admits countries and currently includes 98 national members, alongside associate countries and corresponding individual or institutional members. Its General Assembly elects an Executive Committee responsible for administration. Using English and French as working languages, the Union organizes quadrennial congresses and regional conferences between them, while its Home of Geography in Rome supports publication. Continuous research is conducted mainly through 36 commissions, supplemented by task forces and special committees that organize meetings, fieldwork, collaborative projects, and scholarly communication. Overall, the IGU provides a central institutional framework for coordinating geography worldwide and linking geographers with broader international scientific organizations.