Welcome to the Department of Geography at UCLA! Geography is a uniquely “interdisciplinary discipline,” one that encompasses aspects of the earth sciences, social sciences, and humanities, with particular strength in the investigation of human-environment relations. “Physical geographers” study the spatial patterning, processes, and distribution of the Earth’s atmospheric, hydrological, geomorphological, and biological systems; “human geographers” study the ways that space, place, scale, territory, and other spatial phenomena shape our social, political, cultural, and economic lives, as well as, crucially, how all these intersect with the more-than-human environment.

Gregory S. OkinChair, Department of Geography

News

Dr. Marilyn Raphael Elected to the National Academy of Sciences

April 29, 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Marilyn Raphael! Her recognition by and…

Dr. Park Williams Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship

April 17, 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Park Williams, recipient of the 2025 Jerold…

Dr. Michael Storper Receives the 2025 ERSA Prize in Regional Science

April 9, 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Michael Storper on receiving the 2025…

Dr. Susanna Hecht Receives CAPE and LASA Award

April 1, 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Susanna Hecht for receiving the Distinguished…

Ursus Symposium on Tariffs and Trade Wars

April 1, 2025

Below is a link to a video of the UCLA Geography, Canadian…

Dr. Shaina Potts Book Recognition Awards

March 31, 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Shaina Potts, who was awarded the AAG…

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Rethinking Neighborhoods Book Cover — Rethinking Neighborhoods: Connections and Cohesion

ucla_air_photo

The UCLA Department of Geography's Air Photo Archives | Aerial imagery spanning 1917 to 1976 | Available for research purposes and as fine art prints

These images of Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle,

These images of Elliott Bay and downtown Seattle, taken in 1938, capture a city defined by its working waterfront and dense urban grids. From piers to rail yards, Seattle’s economy and identity were still rooted in maritime trade, timber, and light industry.

The photos capture an era before skyscrapers and freeways, when most buildings stood under ten stories and the streets followed the contours of the land. Rail lines crisscrossed the city, and the waterfront served as a vital artery for commerce and movement.

This was Seattle on the cusp of transformation—holding onto its early character while anticipating postwar growth.

Sourced from the UCLA Department of Geography’s Air Photo Archives. To explore more historical aerial photographs or purchase fine art prints, visit the link in our bio or email us at airphoto@geog.ucla.edu.

In 1938, Seattle's development hugged the coastlin

In 1938, Seattle's development hugged the coastline of Puget Sound, anchored by its maritime economy and shaped by its geography.

West Seattle and the Duwamish Head area had a relatively low population density at this time, with ferry routes and rail lines playing central roles in the movement of goods and people. The city was emerging from the Great Depression with a renewed focus on civic planning, but it remained firmly tied to its roots in timber, fishing, and port trade.

This view offers a rare glimpse of Seattle before postwar expansion—when the city's connection to the water was both practical and defining.

Sourced from the UCLA Department of Geography’s Air Photo Archives. To explore more historical aerial photographs or purchase fine art prints, visit the link in our bio or email us at airphoto@geog.ucla.edu.

By the early 1940s, Glacier National Park had beco

By the early 1940s, Glacier National Park had become a symbol of American pride—a place where nature, recreation, and national identity converged. These aerial photos offer more than stunning views; they capture a turning point in the story of the park and the planet.

Named for its once-vast ice fields, Glacier boasted around 80 active glaciers when it was designated a national park. Today, fewer than two dozen remain. Scientists estimate that many will disappear entirely within a few decades. This transformation, driven by rising temperatures and shifting climate patterns, has made the park a vital site for studying ecological change and resilience.

The landscape shown here is a visual record of a wilder Glacier: a time before interpretive centers, climate graphs, and long lines of visitors. Yet even in 1941, the park represented something enduring—a shared belief in the value of nature and the need to protect it.

These historic aerials remind us of what has changed and what remains worth saving.

Sourced from the UCLA Department of Geography’s Air Photo Archives, the pictures above were captured in 1941. To explore our extensive collection of historical aerial photographs or to purchase fine art prints, visit the link in our bio or email us at airphoto@geog.ucla.edu.

In August 1941, aerial images documented Glacier N

In August 1941, aerial images documented Glacier National Park’s expansive terrain just three decades after its establishment. The park had become a focal point for U.S. conservation efforts during the Progressive Era, aimed at protecting significant natural environments for public use, scientific research, and future generations.

At this point in its history, Glacier was still relatively remote. The Going-to-the-Sun Road had only recently been completed in 1932, making large parts of the park accessible by car for the first time. The road was a significant undertaking by the National Park Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps, designed to blend into the landscape while showcasing its alpine features.

The aerial perspective shows the park’s glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and steep mountain ranges—features that defined its identity and helped justify its protection as a national park. It also serves as a reference point for understanding how the landscape has evolved since the mid-20th century, particularly in terms of glacial loss and land use.

Sourced from the UCLA Department of Geography’s Air Photo Archives, the pictures above were captured in 1941. To explore our extensive collection of historical aerial photographs or to purchase fine art prints, visit the link in our bio or email us at airphoto@geog.ucla.edu.

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