Une source d’archives cartographiques : le fonds des cartes et plans conservé à la société de géographie et d’archéologie d’Oran

Abstract EN

The role of Geography Societies had been decisive in the propagation movement of the colonial idea.

In addition to their actions to encourage exploration and the discovery of new territories, they have strongly contributed to the accumulation of documentary material, particularly maps of the new regions to be colonised.

This is the case of the Geography and Archaeology Society of Oran (in French: la Societe de Geographie et d’Archeologie d’Oran).

Founded in 1878, the Geography and Archaeology Society of Oran, at the same time with the creation of numerous provincial geographical societies in France, was created in the aftermath of the shock of being defeated by Prussia in the war of 1870-1871.

This was also the moment when the French school of military geography was brought into reality.

At the same time, France was in the midst of colonial expansionism under the Third Republic, the fact that motivated this latter to encourage initiatives in the field of colonial propaganda by creating relays in its colonial possessions that could work actively in this field, including the Geography and Archaeology Society of Oran.